PORT ANGELES — Hands that typically work behind the scenes of the North Olympic Land Trust will receive kudos for service at the organization’s 27th annual meeting Saturday.
The all-volunteer Stewardship Crew will be honored with the land trust’s Gary Colley Legacy Award at the meeting set from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center, 401 E. First St.
Admission will be free. Light refreshments will be provided.
Each year, the team at the land trust reflects on those individuals or organizations that have been instrumental to the evolution of the Olympic Peninsula conservation group. Named after the land trust’s founder, the Gary Colley Legacy Award is given to individuals who are part of the organization’s foundation.
“All of the lands owned by the land trust are special and were protected for their natural features, restoration opportunities and recreational potential,” said Lorrie Mittmann, land trust easement steward.
“The Stewardship Crew has been key in keeping these properties available for the public to safely enjoy and assisting in the protection of the natural resources and special features of the properties.”
The Stewardship Crew includes Curt Batey, Elden Housinger, Steve Langley, Bill and Lavonne Mueller, Cheryl Ford, Cal Thomas, John Wegmann, Bill Spring and Randy Washburne.
“The Stewardship Crew has put in countless hours on the properties,” Mittmann said, “removing noxious weeds, doing restoration plantings, trail construction, sign and kiosk installation, fence and parking lot construction, garbage removal, removal of downed and hazard trees, forest stand management and maintenance of all of the above.
“All of this work could not be accomplished by staff alone.”
Alana Linderoth, the land trust’s communications and outreach coordinator, added: “Without the crew’s dedication, the land trust wouldn’t be able to responsibly manage its conserved lands, which is at the heart of the organization’s mission.”
The land trust’s annual meeting is open to the public and provides the community with an opportunity to hear about upcoming projects, recent successes and challenges surrounding local land conservation.
Guests are encouraged to talk with staff, board and committee members; ask questions; share ideas; and provide feedback on the direction of the organization.
The land trust’s conservation director will be on hand to seek public input on the draft 2018-24 conservation plan, which prioritizes the organization’s conservation goals across Clallam County.
Since its founding in 1990, the land trust has conserved more than 3,300 acres across the North Olympic Peninsula for farms, fish and forests.
For more information, see www.northolympicland trust.org or call 360-417-1815, ext. 3.
