Education Program Manager Tara Laidlaw recently was invited to join the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (https://oregonlandtrusts.org/) board of directors, which helps connect and strengthen the state-wide community of land trusts (including SOLC!). In addition to running our youth education programs, she has also been supporting Envirothon students, who compete in a regional event before testing their natural history and forestry knowledge and skills at state and national-level competitions.
Rebekah Bergkoetter, SOLC's Land Steward, recently joined the Rogue Valley Audubon Board and coordinated the Medford Christmas Bird Count.
Executive Director Steve Wise attended the Inter-Tribal Ecosystem Restoration Partnership's Peer-to-Peer Learning Summit, and continues to serve on the Rogue Basin Partnership board.
Kristi Mergenthaler was just elected to serve on the Terrafirma Members Committee to represent western land trusts; Terrafirma Risk Retention Group LLC is a national conservation insurance organization that helps land trusts uphold their promise of lasting conservation.
SOLC is sad to say farewell to Philanthropy Director Jade Chavis, and is sincerely grateful for her brief but impactful efforts as a member of our team during 2023. Jade has crossed back over the boulevard to re-join Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We look forward to seeing her on the land at events, and exploring collaboration opportunities with our cultural cousins at OSF.
