While the history books may best remember 2020 as the year of a global pandemic, it also could well be remembered for the realization of a 50-year-old dream across the conservation community: securing full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The remote camera that Land Trust of Napa County volunteers Paula Peterson and Penny Proteau visit every few months in California suggests at least one conclusion: an abundance of curious bears.

"This right here is the closest you can get to magic," said Sherman Dean, who was part of a group of diverse people invited to be the first to walk in the newly discovered stand of redwoods that was long-rumored to be nestled in the hills above California's Sonoma Coast.

At the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in Michigan, we believe that access to nature isn't a luxury; it belongs to all people. Our supporters feel that way as well.

Earlier this month, a small Siberian town in Russia hit a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high temperature there in June is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

For land trusts interested in combating climate change using the carbon storage capacity of their natural and working lands, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators is working to make the path a little easier.

Since COVID-19 hit, trails and other open spaces have seen significant spikes in visitors as more people itch to get out of the house and head to the hills. It's great to see people enjoying our beautiful, natural outdoors!

With all that is occurring in our world, we could all use a bit of good news these days. Today, we received some courtesy of the U.S. Senate.

I have always loved the courage, passion and dedication with which land trusts go about their work. But never in my 25 years working in the land trust community have I been more inspired and impressed than I am today.