Articles

For native Texan Blair Calvert Fitzsimon

Advocating for conservation policies from the comfort of one’s home can sometimes present challenges. For one, it can be hard to attend a meeting with a high-ranking official while family members — including furry companions — vie for attention. However, Land Trust Alliance members once again demonstrated record-setting engagement, perseverance and flexibility during the 10th annual Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days, held virtually April 19-22.

Board members are crucial to land trusts because they hold a fiduciary duty to implement the mission, ensure the organization’s survival and protect conserved land forever.

The phone rings in the middle of the night with the news that your longtime executive director has been in an accident.

People love gnomes. Or so Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy discovered last summer when the accredited New York land trust hosted a Summer Hike-a-thon Scavenger Hunt. More than 530 Capital Region residents searched the land trust’s 19 preserves for hidden gnomes affixed to trees and other landmarks. Hikers who sent selfies with the gnomes were rewarded with ice cream from event sponsor Stewart’s Shops.