Workshop On Land Conservation In The Blue Mountain Region

Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) will create a land conservation plan for the Blue Mountain region over the next few months. They invite the public to participate in a workshop to discuss the important land conservation priorities in our region and to help identify where BMLT should place its focus in the coming years.

The land trust is at a crossroads. It has successfully helped conserve about 630 acres of private lands, including wetland and riparian areas, agricultural lands, and important habitat, working with willing landowners who participate on a voluntary basis. BMLT's work in recent years has raised its visibility and landowners are becoming more aware of conservation opportunities on their land. BMLT's work relies on partnering with diverse community groups. Now is an excellent time for BMLT to engage the community in developing a conservation vision for the region.

The public is invited to a workshop that will bring together members of the community: elected officials, organization leaders, and community partners to review maps of the region and discuss the most important lands for private land conservation, including areas where future threats to those values could have lasting impacts. This will be a chance for you to get to know the land trust's mission and how it affects our community.

The workshop will be facilitated by a consultant who works with land trusts throughout the western US and will be held at the Whitman College, Reid Campus Center Room G02 (Next to the bookstore) from 2:00-4:30pm on February 26. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

This will be an interactive workshop. Participants will learn about BMLT's contributions in the community and will help advise the land trust on its future priorities. The resulting plan will include maps showing important private lands for voluntary conservation, within forest, foothill, and agriculture zones in the Blue Mountain region. That plan will summarize opportunities and threats, and develop a vision and strategies for voluntary private land conservation across the Blue Mountain region.

RSVP to Alison Wesockes Alison@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136