Inspiration takes many forms. The Rhododendron Preserve inspires us to continue working to bring to life the Foundation’s Mission and Vision:
- Mission: To promote actions and foster understanding to inspire conservation from the Rhododendron Preserve to the Salish Sea region.
- Vision: People connecting with and protecting healthy ecosystems.
Since 1970, the Foundation has supported hundreds of conservation-focused non-profit organizations through our competitive grant program, amplifying our mission. Connecting, partnering and supporting like-minded, mission-driven groups has the same effect as dropping a rock into a pond. The work creates ripples that expand and grow.
The strong partnerships we’ve built with fisheries biologists, the Suquamish Tribe, and Great Peninsula Conservancy, and our connections with schools, local leaders and others allow the Foundation to have a larger impact. These connections foster outdoor education on how each of us play a role in the preservation of the Salish Sea region and the overall work to restore our landscapes and waterways for fish, wildlife, and humans.
Working together gives us all a collective mission and inspires our ecosystem monitoring efforts. It inspires visitors and local residents that have the opportunity to enjoy abundant outdoor experiences in their backyard. And it inspires environmentalists – current and future – to continue our work.
We continue to monitor the Preserve to give us a baseline of ecosystem health and ensure restoration efforts address all the variables that can impact water quality and wildlife health and give people of all abilities access to life-changing natural spaces on the Preserve.
Our Community Grants and Norm Winn Grants programs are part of that ripple effect. When we align with groups and programs that further our vision of strong communities and healthy air and water, we make today’s work last through generations of environmental stewards.
Our changing climate demands we continue to partner with groups that are doing work around us to improve forest health and restore the fragile salmon habitat around the Preserve and across our entire region. We are so grateful to be one ring in the ripple that is growing right before our eyes.
– Mindy Roberts, Secretary