Methow Conservancy

Mission

The Methow Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring people to care for the land of the Methow Valley.

Description

Building on almost 30 years of trust in the community, the Methow Conservancy is using innovative and powerful approaches to:

• Protect healthy land, clean water and fresh air;

• Connect people to the land; and

• Support local agriculture.

LAND CONSERVATION: We protect healthy land and vital soils in the Methow Valley through conservation easements, fee acquisitions, and other conservation tools. Formed in 1996 and accredited by the Land Trust Alliance since 2013, we have protected nearly 12,000 acres in the Methow Valley, including 33 miles of shoreline and more than 2,400 acres of irrigated farmland, plus additional rangeland acres. We also help provide public access, where appropriate (like Sunny M Ranch and Mill Hill). (https://methowconservancy.org/about-us/protecting-healthy-land-and-water)

YOUTH PROGRAMS: We partner with the Methow Valley School District to offer “Schoolyard Science”: an outdoor-based science curriculum that helps students learn to be inquisitive explorers of the natural world. Always free of charge to students and schools. Schoolyard Science integrates into the school’s International Baccalaureate framework, enhancing classroom learning in other core subjects. Includes free Discover Pass for each student/family, so they can experience state public lands regardless of family financial situation. (https://methowconservancy.org/about-us/schoolyard-science)

NATURALIST PROGRAMS & EDUCATIONAL TALKS: We offer free monthly naturalist talks, focused on human/ natural/geologic topics of interest. We offer field-based naturalist and tracking courses as well.  A sampling of recent programs includes Native Bees, Bird Banding, Probing the Cosmos, Tracking Certification, Climate Change & Plant Adaptations, Black Bear Denning Ecology, Pacific Northwest Snows (https://methowconservancy.org/news/category/events)

 LAND JUSTICE: We purchased and returned 328 acres of ancestral land to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation on behalf of the Methow People. At their request, we have remained involved with the Methow People as they reestablish cultural activities on the property and connections within the Methow Valley. (https://methowconservancy.org/news/entry/faq_land_justice)

AGRICULTURE SUPPORT: We recognize that farming and ranching are critical components of the Methow Valley’s rural character. We support local agriculture by protecting prime agricultural land, supporting the launch of a regional USDA meat processing unit, promoting local food to consumers, and leasing farmland to local farmers.

•   45 of our conservation easements have a strong agricultural component. 

•   We have leveraged more than $8M in public and private funds to protect these lands.

•   We have protected about 26% of the irrigated agricultural lands in the Methow Valley. We installed a pivot to irrigate the largest farm field in the upper valley, giving a young local farmer a piece of viable leased land.

•   We created the Methow Grown program to highlight local growers and producers and connect them with customers. (https://www.methowgrown.org/)

FOOD ACCESS: We raise $10,000 each year to purchase high quality produce, meat, and dairy from local growers/producers and distribute the food free of charge to clients of The Cove, our local food bank. Our Farms to Neighbors program was intended to be a pandemic support program but it was so successful that we have maintained it. Many Methow Valley families and individuals struggle with access to food in general and quality local food in particular. This program not only supports nearly 100 local families, but also supports local growers/producers.  (https://www.methowgrown.org/farms2neighbors).

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: We use our trusted position in the community to help elevate other non-profit organizations. We offer our conference space and organizational expertise to support other local non-profits. We lead and/or participate in long term recovery and resiliency efforts in the valley, including fire/flood recovery & restoration, the Methow Housing Solutions Network, food access/equity efforts, and other programs that promote a healthy community.

We know so many people love this Valley and we know that the land is a common denominator in the Methow Valley. Like you, we believe that when people share that common ground amazing things can happen.