Yes, like most non-profit organizations we make an end-of-year appeal, too. And while this year it might be more subdued or notably missing from your mailbox, it isn’t any less important as we rally in pursuit of a lofty set of goals in 2019 (i.e. purchase of 150 additional acres of community forest; 400+ acres of fuelbreak construction and maintenance on Mt. Adams, etc!). BUT before that, we want to thank everyone that helped to make 2018 the success that it was. Highlights from the year include:
-Our third consecutive year of using prescribed fire on the Mt. Adams Community Forest and adjacent Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge to restore forest health and reduce fuels and wildfire risk to neighboring lands and communities;
-Launch of our stewardship crew that employed six different individuals in implementing an impressive array of restoration, fuels reduction and land management projects across four counties and working with fourteen different landowners and agencies;
-An unprecedented and thorough assessment led by Washington DNR, University of Washington and the Washington Environmental Council of the economic impacts of our work through the Mt. Adams Community Forest. While gratifying to see numbers put to our efforts – such as finding that our work resulted in $8 million in countywide economic benefit since 2011 – we’re motivated in knowing that our impact will only grow as we expand on the successes we have had to date.
While the list of on-the-ground achievements could go on, we could not have done it without the many partners with whom we worked and the friends and local businesses that gathered to support us. In September, over 140 people attended our annual celebration and helped to raise over $35,000 in support of Mt. Adams Resource Stewards. These funds are critical to cover expenses, such as needed field and office tools and equipment, pickup maintenance and repair (and a second, used 4WD vehicle that we are still shopping for!) and the two property appraisals that were just completed for an expansion of the Mt. Adams Community Forest we are hoping to move forward on in the WEEKS ahead.
Progress toward our vision of healthy, vibrant forests and rural communities – especially when that involves buying and stewarding more land – can only come with the continued support of those that care about the well-being of this region, its people and landscapes. If you find it within your capabilities during these last days of 2018, please consider making a gift in support of Mt. Adams Resource Stewards. Tax deductible donations can be made via our on-line link or even better, mailed directly to: Mt. Adams Resource Stewards, PO Box 152, Glenwood, WA 98619.
Thank you!
December 2018
