Written and Photographed by Lauren Miheli, Volunteer Coordinator
I’ve been working as Volunteer Coordinator for TNC in WA for 2 years. I tell all of my co-workers that I have the best job at The Nature Conservancy, and it’s true! I was reminded of this on Dec. 1st, when we hosted a Volunteer Appreciation happy hour in our Seattle office. About 30 volunteers and a dozen TNC staff members showed up to this low-key event to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of our volunteers. It was a cold and dark evening, but the room was aglow. When I looked around the room I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the talented, intelligent, caring, and hardworking people I saw around me. People who all share a passion for our mission and who were excited to meet and connect with each other. The room was a buzz with conversation, folks talking about what we do, how we can do it better, and putting their heads together about how we can get more people excited about conservation.
Beer, wine, sparkling cider and light appetizers were served while volunteers mingled to holiday music by candle light, with centerpieces and decorations arranged by volunteer June Landenburger, and a slideshow projected highlights from this year’s volunteer events. Melissa Garvey, Washington’s Deputy State Director, gave an engaging speech about the strategic direction of our work. Fresh rosemary trees and Nature Conservancy swag were raffled off as prizes. The party was supposed to end at 7, but several volunteers stayed until almost 8 to help clean up and the conversation kept flowing.
The event was a delightful way to kick of the month of December and all of the holiday parties that will follow, and it was all in part to the wonderful people who were there.
Thank you to all of our volunteers, those who attended the happy hour, and those who couldn’t join us. Your contributions make TNC a great place to work!
Learn about our opportunities to Volunteer!
Our Moses Coulee-Beezley Hills Preserve is one of the Conservancy’s largest landholdings in Washington and we’ve been working over the last several years to share information and increase engagement with the local community in Central Washington.
Our commitment to community engagement was strengthened when I met a neighboring landowner to the preserve who told me that, at a recent Quincy Chamber of Commerce Event, many people identified the Beezley Hills Preserve as an area they valued, but were interested in knowing more about visitor access and trails in the region.
There’s one simple, powerful thing you can do for nature and people: vote. Take the opportunity to elect leaders who share your values.
Colleen Shannon and Jeff Osmundson have been volunteering for The Nature Conservancy in Washington for the past 13 years. As Volunteer Stewards they serve as our eyes and ears on TNC preserves. As a couple they have dedicated over 300 hours to help preserve the natural beauty of Port Susan Bay and Fisher Slough. They’re now taking their dedication to Zumwalt Prairie, a Nature Conservancy p[reserve in Eastern Oregon.
Participating in the Pride celebration demonstrates that we are an inclusive organization and that we value diversity and equal rights for all
Volunteer programs are a great way to introduce new audiences to the work The Nature Conservancy does and tothe environmental field in general. Volunteers are also mission critical for The Nature Conservancy to accomplish our work.
Volunteer Tracy Eales takes on any task, from front desk to prairie fest. Learn why she gives back to nature.
Mondays are brighter when Jessica is at the front desk. Presenting Jessica Wetter, our volunteer Reception Assistant!
One does not necessarily need to verbally express a thought or opinion in order for it to be “heard,” because believing in an idea and standing up for that belief through unspoken actions constitute a voice.
Read our interview below to learn what makes Nick unique and why we consider him an outstanding volunteer!
Volunteers were treated to not only perfect weather, but also to an informative tour by our partners at Rock Point Oyster, sightings of porpoises, a bald eagle, and a great blue heron on this trip to pull invasive scotch broom.
Our success at The Nature Conservancy in Washington would be nearly impossible without our volunteers. We held a recent celebration for our volunteers amid a desert landscape.