Greetings SOLC Friends,
We are all heart-broken for our friends and neighbors who have lost their homes, possessions, and businesses to the terrible fires.
We are glad that no one on the staff or Board lost a home, although several were evacuated, went days without power, and at least one person was barred from returning to his Phoenix apartment for several days. Many on our staff and Board are sheltering people who have been displaced, collecting and distributing needed supplies, volunteering, and otherwise contributing to community relief efforts. As far as we know, all of our conservation easement landowners are safe, and our fee-owned lands are not impacted. We are happy to report that even Eagle Mill Farm, in a direct path of the Alameda Fire, was not burned.
Right now, the most urgent need is to help the families and individuals who have lost their homes, possessions, and livelihoods. We know there are many worthy causes in our community, and our hearts go out especially to migrant and farm worker families, many of whom work on the lands that we are striving to protect. This population has been disproportionately impacted by both Covid-19 and the fires. Many who have lost their homes are unable or reluctant to accept public aid as it could put their path to citizenship at risk. The following organizations are part of a coalition focused on meeting their immediate needs including housing, food, and essentials:
Northwest Seasonal Workers Association or on Facebook (Checks can be mailed directly to 203 N Oakdale Ave., Medford 97501 or credit card donations can be made through the Rogue Valley Foundation by calling Cathy at the Jackson County Chamber 541-608-8515)
Even in this time of pandemic and fire crises, we are continuing our work (mostly remotely) with conservation-minded landowners and partners to protect more acres. We have also been planning for our annual Conservation Celebration fundraiser that helps support our efforts. However, we recognize that the community’s immediate financial needs lie elsewhere. So instead of asking you to buy an auction item or “Save an Acre,” we are asking that you consider directing what you might have given at our Conservation Celebration to those most in need, either from our list above or to individuals or organizations of your choosing.
In times like this, the desire for connection to the communities we love feels stronger than ever. In lieu of our usual fundraising event we invite you to gather with us virtually via Zoom on Friday, Oct. 16 to meet our new Executive Director Steve Wise, to enjoy a wonderful presentation from award-winning author and photographer Tim Palmer, and to hear updates from the SOLC team. Stay tuned for more details on this opportunity to connect.
Finally, we are reminded by this fire event of the importance of the work we do for our precious lands here in Southern Oregon. Our work to conserve and protect wild and working lands promotes resiliency and adaptation to a changing climate: the forests, meadows, and natural landscapes that are part of our conserved lands store carbon, helping to slow the rise in temperature that threatens us locally and globally. Our work also protects the plants and animals that make their homes in our region, and it contributes to the clean water and air that are so important to human and natural communities alike. While our work and that of others could not prevent the recent fires, it can help to minimize the impacts of climate change-related events moving forward.
Thank you for your support for SOLC and for those in need. Stay safe!
Kevin Talbert and Keith Emerson
Co-interim Executive Directors
P.S: We are grateful for your commitment to conservation. You will have another opportunity to support SOLC later this year during our year-end campaign.
Photo of fallen Talent Ave sign by Matt Campbell.
