Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts

?? Imagine Forest Park’s towering trees and tranquil trails lost to development—scary, right? Thankfully, we have incredible partners like Forest Park Conservancy working hard to ensure that never happens. This week, we’re proud to spotlight FPC, a COLT member nonprofit dedicated to: ?? Protecting & restoring Forest Park’s ecological health. ?? Championing equitable access to nature. ?? Inspiring connection for people from all walks of life. Right now, FPC is teaming up with the Bird Alliance of Oregon to oppose PGE's Harborton Reliability Project, which threatens five acres of critical habitat in northern Forest Park. They need your support in this fight! ?? Here’s how you can help: Donate $10+ to Forest Park Conservancy and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) for: ? A chance to win a $500 Powell's Books, Inc. gift card! ? Bonus: Donors under 36 have an extra chance to win another $500 gift card! Support Forest Park Conservancy: https://lnkd.in/g2PiDj4X Support COLT: https://lnkd.in/gGarmUyN Your gift supports a collective movement to protect Oregon’s iconic natural areas, unite conservation efforts, and ensure a thriving future for our land, water, and communities.

??? It’s Big Bird Day! ?? Today we’re flying high with Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon), and we need your help to protect Oregon’s wildlife, wild places, and communities. By supporting Bird Alliance of Oregon, you’ll: ? Help rescue over 4,000 injured birds & wildlife ? Empower 5,000+ youth & 4,000+ adults to connect with nature ?Strengthen climate resiliency for Oregon’s wildlife And here’s some more exciting news: Donate $10 or more to Bird Alliance of Oregon & COLT through Willamette Week's Give!Guide today, and you'll double your chances to win a $500 gift card from Backyard Bird Shop Inc.! What does $500 in bird supplies look like? Think VIP bird spa: endless seed buffets, squirrel-proof feeders (we love squirrels, but they can find their own snacks), and luxury bird baths with jets—okay, maybe not jets, but still fancy! Your donation helps keep Oregon’s wild places thriving. Let’s make this Big Bird Day unforgettable for birds and people alike. ?? Support COLT --> https://lnkd.in/gGarmUyN Support Bird Alliance of Oregon --> https://lnkd.in/gR4qQiNu

We’re celebrating an incredible win for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and McKenzie River Trust: the return of 27 acres of culturally and ecologically significant land on Cape Foulweather! ?? This land, located within the original 1.1-million-acre Siletz Reservation, had been identified as a priority conservation area for years. Listed for sale in 2021, it was purchased by McKenzie River Trust in 2022 with a promise to return it to the Tribe. This marks the first oceanfront property the Tribe has recovered since historic land losses in 1855. This partnership shows the power of collaboration in honoring Tribal sovereignty and supporting cultural revitalization and ecological stewardship! https://lnkd.in/gchFQBJC

Join us for the COLT 2024 Stewardship Gathering! ??? When: November 21st, 9 AM - 5 PM ?? Where: The Obsidians Lodge, Eugene, OR Let’s come together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration! This free event is designed for stewardship staff across Oregon to foster community, share experiences, and tackle common land management challenges. ? Enjoy breakfast pastries, coffee, and a catered lunch. ?? Expect lots of walking breaks and informal discussions. ??? Topics may include TEK practices, botanical data collection, prescribed burning, and more! Click the link below to RSVP! ?? https://lnkd.in/gzMtc78w

? Friday Night Plans? ? Catch Outgrow the System at PCC Cascade's Moriarty Auditorium! This documentary examines pathways to a sustainable, equitable economy through community-driven initiatives. ?? When: Friday, 7:00 p.m. ?? Where: Moriarty Auditorium, 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland (PCC Cascade campus) After the film, stay for a panel discussion featuring Qiddist Ashé, from the Black Oregon Land Trust , one of COLT's Associate Members. https://lnkd.in/gMH9eJBR

"As we approach the 50th anniversary of SB100, the state land-use system is still visionary … and well-embedded in the apparatus of state and local government." https://lnkd.in/gcg_cmVB

? We’re thrilled to celebrate Anna-Liza Victory's Skidmore Prize win!? The Skidmore Prize honors four outstanding young professionals making a big impact in Portland-area nonprofits. Each winner receives a cash award, a feature in Willamette Week's Give!Guide, and well-deserved recognition for their contributions. Anna-Liza Victory is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the Oregon Land Justice Project Manager at COLT. Her passion for land justice stems from her family's forced removal from their home in Northern Georgia. She finds personal fulfillment in her work to address the legacy and injustices of land ownership in our country and our state. As a life-long Oregonian, she is incredibly humbled to work in service of Oregon's Tribes and Indigenous communities to advance land back. Oregon’s Indigenous communities have long faced challenges due to displacement and loss of connection to their homelands. To address this, COLT launched the Oregon Land Justice Project in 2021, fostering partnerships between land trusts and tribal leaders to promote equity in land stewardship. We’re honored to see Anna-Liza recognized alongside these incredible Skidmore Prize winners: ? Audreona Mullens , Family Forward Action ? Celess Roman, Clackamas Service Center Inc ? Charles Grant , Portland Playhouse Join us in celebrating Anna-Liza and all the inspiring work being done in our community! ?? Read more about Anna-Liza here: https://lnkd.in/d2s_986A ?? Learn more about the Oregon Land Justice Project: https://lnkd.in/g8rR7R_W ?? Support COLT through Give!Guide: https://lnkd.in/gGarmUyN ?? Read Willamette Week's profile on Anna-Liza: https://lnkd.in/gkt3Yskx

Such incredible news from the Columbia Land Trust and Cowlitz Indian Tribe!??

?? Exciting News! For the first time ever, the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) is part of the Willamette Week's Give!Guide—a powerful, community-driven platform supporting nonprofits across Oregon! ?? Check us out here: https://lnkd.in/gGarmUyN Here’s how it works: 1. Explore: Visit giveguide.org and discover 250+ local nonprofits making a difference! 2. Pick Your Cause: You can Find COLT under Environment category! 3. Give a Little, Help a Lot: With a minimum donation of just $10, a small gift can make a big impact! 4. Fill Your Giving Cart: Support other nonprofits too! Many of our friends are part of this year’s guide (see below). Pro Tip: Take advantage of Big Give Days! Today only, donate $10+ for a chance to win Billie Eilish concert tickets for December 8 at the Moda Center! Give!Guide embodies community-centric fundraising principles, and the idea that nonprofits are in community with each other, not in competition. This aligns with one of COLT's core values: that land trusts, landowners, conservation groups, and Tribal communities are stronger together. By building coalitions, we amplify our power to combat climate change and protect Oregon’s lands and people. ?? We’re also thrilled to share this journey with other featured organizations, including some of our coalition members: Bird Alliance of Oregon Forest Park Conservancy Friends of the Columbia Gorge Friends of Tryon Creek Bark for Mt. Hood 1000 Friends of Oregon

It’s a big day at the COLT office! Wanna know why? First, we’re excited to welcome Joe Buttafuoco as our new Executive Director! Today’s his first day, and he’s already diving in. Joe joins us after 14 years at The Nature Conservancy, where he was Associate Director of Stewardship. He’s also no stranger to COLT—Joe’s been on our Board of Directors for the past three years, and he’s excited to connect with our members at our annual meeting on December 5! ?? In other news … The latest issue of Willamette Week just hit stands with the special Give!Guide edition! It’s our first year in Give!Guide, thanks to Anna Liza Victory (Cherokee Nation), COLT’s Oregon Land Justice Project Manager and one of this year’s Skidmore Prize winners! Her win brings COLT into Give!Guide alongside 250 other incredible local nonprofits. Grab a free copy of Willamette Week today (we’re on Page 45!) to read Anna-Liza’s story (Page 22) She’s been leading incredible work with the Oregon Land Justice Project, advocating for land to be returned to Indigenous groups and helping Native communities access resources to preserve their ancestral lands.