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About Us In 1998 the City of Albany, Oregon embarked on a land use planning intiative called "Great Neighborhoods." A series of meetings were organized where ordinary residents could get together to discuss topics of common interest - things like traffic, parks, etc. One such topic was Natural Resources. At the table were Tom Sanderson, a manager at the Oregon Department of Revenue, Nancy Gilmore, a dental office manager and local watershed council board member, and Tim Acker, a wetland consultant and forester.  In the course of their deliberations some common ground became apparent. First, they were all discontented with the status quo. They were not satisfied with simply sending checks to the big, national conservation organizations. Likewise, they all were not completely satisfied with the existing local organizations and their dependence on government grants. They were impatient. Collectively they wondered if there might be a more effective way to get things done on the ground - a way to actually get their hands dirty on real restoration projects that they could see and touch; a way to fund such projects and land acquisitions that was free of government strings and red tape. In short, they were tired of treating conservation like a charity.Tom, Tim and Nancy at an early work party pruning trees.
The resulting proposition was simple - a non-profit land trust that funds itself through business ventures that not only generate the cash needed to protect significant natural habitats, but at the same time teach the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve successful restoration projects. | That was 1999... Today, in addition to Nancy, Tom and Tim, the Legacy Board of Directors includes Karen Tressler, a local small business owner, Su Alexander, the US Forest Service's regional economist in Alaska, and Rudy Brantner. Our roster includes 87 supporters, and we currently manage one conservation easement and have signed a letter of intent for another. It has been hard work - sometimes a triumph of sheer will - but we are well positioned both financially and in terms of know-how to step up to the next level. | Looking Ahead The letter of intent to become the long-term steward of a 135-acre wetland mitigation bank is a watershed achievement for Legacy for two reasons. First, it represents a significant opportunity to take part in a large-scale project that will increase our capacities in land management in general and nursery production, monitoring, and weed control in particular. Secondly, the conservation easement will include a substantial cash endowment that we will have to prudently manage and grow. Success in this endeavor will attract new opportunities, and we look forward to the challenge! |
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