SOLC is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of our national accreditation. A public comment period is now open.
2022 Education Program Year in Review
In 2022, SOLC facilitated 1,676 student-days of programming and hosted several teacher professional development workshops. From the valley floor to the ridgelines, we are delighted to be supporting learners of all ages – whether they’re kindergarteners practicing their colors with fall leaves in the Jacksonville Woodlands or in-service teachers exploring trauma-informed fire ecology education. Learn more about our education efforts in 2022 and what we look forward to in the year ahead.
Re-Learning Our Relationship to the River
In September of this year, SOLC representatives, community partners, and an experienced facilitation team took to the water for Decolonizing the Rogue, a four-day guided exploration on the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River. This spectacular setting provided an immersive classroom to delve into how expanded cultural awareness, racial equity, and recognition of impacts from colonial domination can reframe the ways we enjoy and relate to nature – and how we can embody those big ideals in our work as a land trust. learn more about this transformational decolonization river workshop and its impacts on SOLC's work.
Fantastic Fairies and How to Survey Them
When SOLC acquired new lands earlier this year, we also acquired a new rare species, the Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp. This tiny shrimp is recognized as a threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. To monitor and steward these animals, two SOLC staff members earned special certification. Read about the certification process and purpose, and some geeky factoids about our community of fairies.
PHOTOS & RECAP: 2022 Annual All Member Picnic Event
SOLC’s annual Member Picnic reminded us of why coming together – in person --makes conservation possible, and the many ways that our individual curiosity and commitment combine to achieve lasting impact. From this year’s Conservation Award, presented to the founders of the Willow-Witt Ranch, to the Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Linda Kappen, to the assembly of 150+ members, staff, and board (old and new), this picnic marked the progress we have made across 44 years of collaborative, community-based work.
Community Science at SOLC Preserves? Yes!
Online community science platforms are being used across the globe to document species of all kinds. SOLC staff were curious if guests of the Rogue River Preserve were making and documenting observations while visiting. They were pleasantly surprised that visitors have! Find out some some of the species they documented and who were the top contributors.
2022 Spring Hike Series Photo Recap
One Fence, No Fence, Wildlife Friendly Fence
2022 Conservation Celebration Was A Success
Two Land Trusts, Three Preserves and a New Stewardship Legacy
We are excited to announce in late February, we completed the transfer of a group of former Nature Conservancy preserves that from now on will be part of SOLC’s conserved lands family. The transfer covers two new fee-owned parcels— Whetstone Savanna and Agate Desert Preserves— and two conservation easements including the Rogue River Plains Preserve.
Bird-Friendly Seasons for Vegetation Work
PHOTOS & RECAP: 2021 Member Picnic & Annual Meeting
SOLC’s first Member Picnic and Annual Meeting in two years had all the joy and energy of the family reunions so many of us have done without during the Pandemic. Please enjoy a photo gallery of the day taken by a team of fellow community members and professionals. Also enjoy words of inspiration and knowledge from Dave Garcia (Conservation Awardee), Su Rolle who presented his award, and Executive Director Steve Wise in this recap of the day.
Introducing the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff
NEW conserved land!
This summer we were honored to be gifted an iconic landmark of the southern Bear Creek Valley, the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff. Harry Fisher bequeathed this 55-acre property to SOLC in his will. Our hope is to share this iconic place while also protecting its conservation values. Read more about what makes this scenic place so special and how you can support its conservation and infrastructure upgrades to safely facilitate stewardship and community engagement well into the future.
