December 6, 2022
Dear friend,
As a statewide coalition, we have the greatest impact when we come together to tackle Oregon’s dynamic environmental needs. While our coalition is strong, we need more hands than ever to address the mounting conservation needs of our time.
This holiday season, please consider making a donation to COLT to multiply your conservation impact in Oregon.
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The urgency of protecting our lands, waters, and wildlife continues to grow. This year, a study was released that projected between 11%-16% of our native tree species in the US are threatened with extinction due to invasive pests and disease. Last year, 23 animal species were declared extinct.
At COLT, we are made up of more than 30 organizations working across the state to protect the natural world for wildlife and people. From efforts to protect oak habitat in the East Cascades, to restoring natural floodplains in Central Oregon to bring back salmon and other species that build natural resilience, land trusts in Oregon are making a huge impact on our landscapes.
When you support COLT, you are investing in Oregon’s lands, water, and wildlife. We have come a long way in the past decade, but the conservation challenges ahead are great.
Thank you for your passion, dedication, and partnership, and for considering a donation! We are grateful to have you by our side.
-Kelley Beamer and the COLT Team
Photo by Brian Chambers, courtesy of Columbia Land Trust.
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OP-ED FROM KELLEY BEAMER
The Tax Benefits of Land Conservation Are in Peril, But There is a Solution
When I think of Oregon, I think of vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Sagebrush in Central Oregon. Working forests and rocky shores on the Coast. Ranches and farmland in Wallowa County.
In Oregon, we are lucky. Many of our iconic landscapes are safeguarded by strong land protection laws and a strong network of land trusts.
But one of the most powerful tools land trusts to protect land—a conservation easement—is under threat at a time when we need conservation dollars most. A loophole in that 2015 law has resulted in wealthy individuals abusing this incentive and siphoning dollars away from conservation projects and into their own pockets.
Congress needs to act this year to stop the abuse by closing this loophole.
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UPDATE
COLT Member Meeting Recap
Last Thursday, our members came together from across the state for our annual member meeting! Each year, we look forward to convening our community to reflect on the work we've done over the last year, build community, and discuss COLT business. At this meeting, we elected a new board member (Welcome Kristin!), approved our 2023 policy platform, voted on a bylaws change, and shared highlights from the year from our members. Stay tuned for more info!
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NEW BOARD MEMBER
Welcome Kristin Kovalik!
We're excited to announce that Kristin Kovalik, the Oregon State Program Director at The Trust for Public Land, has joined the COLT board! Kristin has worked at The Trust for Public Land for over 20 years. |
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During this time she has worked with communities in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho completing forest and farmland conservation projects, working on conservation finance measures and most recently assisting with a green schoolyard project. Learn more about Kristin.
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Oregon Land Trust News
Conservation News
Tribal News
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MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
Trust for Public Land Reimagines Schoolyard in Chiloquin, Oregon
Along the banks of the Sprague and Williamson rivers lies the small community of Chiloquin, Oregon, which serves as the capital of the Klamath Nation. Our friends at The Trust for Public Land worked closely with partners and the Chiloquin community to develop and implement their vision for a vibrant, green, and welcoming schoolyard as part of their Oregon Rural Schoolyard Program.
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Events & Webinars
Pease refer to individual organizations for updates on the status of events.
🖥 = Virtual event
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Upcoming Funding & Grant Deadlines
Please check with each funding entity for the most up-to-date information
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Conservation Jobs
- Portland Audubon is hiring a Backyard Habitat Program Manager (Portland, OR) Applications due December 7
- Deschutes River Conservancy is hiring a Program Manager (Bend, OR) Applications due December 7
- Columbia Riverkeeper is hiring a Digital Communications Coordinator (Hood River, Portland, or Remote, OR) Applications due December 9
- Long Tom Watershed Council is hiring an Executive Director (Eugene, OR) Applications due December 12
- Oregon Department of Forestry is hiring an Operations & Policy Analyst 4 - Legislative Coordinator (Salem, OR) Applications due December 12
- Yakama Nation Fisheries & Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project is hiring a Data Systems Analyst (Yakima, WA) Applications due December 14
- Lemhi Regional Land Trust is hiring an Executive Director (Salmon, ID) Applications due December 15
- Jackson Soil & Water Conservation District is hiring an Executive Director (Central Point, OR) Applications due December 15
- Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is hiring a Watershed Department Manager (Portand, OR) Open until filled
- Wheeler Soil & Water Conservation District is hiring a Conservation Manager (Fossil, Oregon) Open until filled
- Oregon Desert Land Trust is hiring a Finance and Operations Manager (Bend, Oregon) Open until filled
- Sustainable Northwest is hiring a Senior Accountant (Portland, OR) Open until filled
- McKenzie River Trust is hiring a Conservation Transactions Manager (Eugene, Oregon) Open until filled
- Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hiring a Development Director (Ashland, OR) Open until filled
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Give to Conservation in Oregon
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