Dear NorthWoods Community,
It has been inspiring to see our mission given new value as we seek hope over fear, and certainty in the uncertain as we navigate the path forward during a global pandemic and the call for action to affirm that Black Lives Matter.
We recognize that our mission to connect people and place is not separate from these pursuits.
In the past, we have rested on the knowledge that we are a good organization doing good work in and for the community, but this is not enough. We recognize that the pursuit and success of our mission is a moving target, and we are checking our bearings on racial equity to reach this. This year, we are adjusting our summer program guidelines to ensure safety, and we are revamping how we include and celebrate diversity as a conservation organization.
As we grapple with an unsettled world, we see the hope for positive change and recognize a renewed appreciation for the protection of these values:
Landscape that allows, even encourages, social distancing.
Place where rural traditions and practice can be accessible to all, whether passed down or picked up, in backyards or in the patchwork of public and private lands, trails, waterways, backroads, and trail-less spaces.
Opportunity for all to find joy in days well-spent.
Community where quality of life is measured in water quality, air quality, and quality time with family and friends.
Diversity to be celebrated as essential to all life, not argued as a political stance.
This reallocation of value affirms our work here.
Like you, we have had to concede and innovate. Almost daily, I picture the frog dangling from the heron’s beak, and the message “Never Give Up.” This adage has marked our work over the last months. Each spring the first shovel in the ground is a celebratory start of the field season. Though our tree-planting season was not of the magnitude originally planned, it was particularly meaningful—a collaborative achievement to trouble-shoot challenges and implement a safe and effective project.
Here on campus, we are dedicated to significant infrastructure improvements and the fundraising required to achieve these—most notably, the addition of the Conservation Barn and replacing the Main Lodge roof. We are adding to our solar panel array — increasing our renewable energy output from 15%-40%. Looking ahead, we are working diligently to host summer camps, youth and professional conservation crews, and forestry interns that prioritize health, safety, and inclusiveness while maintaining the conservation and education outcomes that drive these efforts.
Financial support is one important way that you can demonstrate the value you place in this work. It is my first opportunity to affirm that your contribution will be matched by our commitment to Never Give Up. This work makes a difference in the vibrancy of the human and natural communities we care about, and your contribution makes a difference in our capacity to do this work.
Maria Young, Executive Director
