SOLC's Response to COVID-19

Dear Friends,

You are all in our thoughts as we face one of our biggest challenges as a community. I am saddened that we cannot gather, hike, explore, and enjoy the camaraderie that is so much a part of our relationship with you. Please know that we are taking our community responsibilities seriously. The health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, partners, members, and donors are of paramount importance during this difficult time.

To protect the SOLC family and to do our part to help limit the spread of COVID-19, we have made changes to avoid large gatherings, to practice social distancing, and to shelter-in-place. It is clear: We all need to take immediate, bold action to ensure that we are doing our part to slow the spread of this virus and minimize impacts. We know this is a rapidly changing situation. Below are some of the steps SOLC is currently taking.

Communicating
The best way to reach us is by email or go to our website to directly email one of our staff. We are unable to answer your phone calls quickly. Our website will be a resource of updates and information. If you are on Facebook or Instagram, look for our daily posts—we will provide you with important information, interesting nature links, learning opportunities, and updates on our programming. We will offer free guided hikes and walks just as soon as it is reasonable to do so.

Canceling All Meetings, Hikes, and Events through Mid-May
Outreach and education is a very important part of our work. Every year, we work face-to-face with thousands of people—inspiring and engaging them to take action for people, for nature, forever. However, with all due caution, we are canceling in-person presentations, workshops, meetings, conferences, and other events through mid-May. When possible, we will arrange to use technology such as video conferencing to lead or participate in as many meetings as we can, and continue to plan for future opportunities to reach people with our conservation message. We will continue to assess the situation and hope to resume our events as soon as possible.

Implementing a Work-at-Home Policy
SOLC staff are working from home (with limited access to our office) in an effort to practice social distancing and sheltering-in-place, which scientists know will slow the spread of the virus and give our health care system the best chance of handling the influx of new patients. We are ensuring that they have the tools and technology to keep doing their important work while our office is closed. We are also ensuring that our phone systems and email are set up so that we can continue to communicate with all of our members, volunteers, and partners. If warranted, we will completely close our physical office and all staff will exclusively work from home.

Taking Care of Our Employees
With schools closed—as well as the potential for staff or their loved ones to become ill—we are ensuring that we support employees through this period and beyond. SOLC has a generous time-off policy and all full time staff receive health care coverage. We are working to ensure that if staff become ill or cannot work because they need to care for loved ones, we are there to provide support. Our staff work tirelessly every day to make the world a better place and it is only right that we give back.

Continuing Our Important Mission
Although we are canceling in-person events through mid-May, there is still much we can and must do to continue our efforts to protect and enhance precious land in the Rogue River region to benefit our human and natural communities. We will continue with our membership services, communications, outreach and education, and conservation work at our desks or out in the field whenever feasible. We will continue to work with our partners, provide consultation to farmers, ranchers, land managers and others, and focus conservation efforts on the focus areas that need it most. We will also look for creative ways to reach people to continue our important work.

What We Can Do Together
Getting out in nature can help all of us cope. For me, time outside also gives me some normalcy and hope as we work through this trying time. I will also spend part of each day supporting my family, friends, staff, and neighbors. I believe that this is a time when we need to do our part by staying apart while also deepening our connections. Please know our thoughts go out to everyone. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you all in the near future.