ClearWater Conservancy unveiled its strategic vision for the future on Nov. 16 at its annual meeting, held at Good Shepherd Church in Port Matilda.
“The ClearWater Compass” outlines four main directions that will guide the organization’s work looking toward 2050: “Connect, Protect, Restore and Steward.”
“After two years of engaging the public through interviews and surveys, while analyzing the best available science, the ClearWater Compass was developed, outlining our vision for the future,” said Deborah Nardone, executive director at ClearWater Conservancy, in a press release. “The vision establishes a clear framework for identifying priority landscapes and includes strategic priorities to help guide and engage future conservation work.”
The conservancy summarized ClearWater Compass this way:
“Connect: The ClearWater Compass begins with a focus on connecting our communities to achieve long-lasting protection of our region’s vital natural resources.
Protect: When we’re all connected, we can better protect the places we love. Protecting priority landscapes and water resources is one of the most effective, economic and long lasting tools to ensure our region’s resilience.
Restore: ClearWater Conservancy works hand-in-hand with willing landowners who desire to improve the quality of their land and water — for themselves, their family and for all those who live downstream.
Steward: Today, the ClearWater Compass is in your hands. In order for conservation to keep pace with changing weather and fast-moving development, we need an ever-growing community of stewards with a variety of backgrounds and experiences committed to seeing our work move ahead without pause. There are numerous opportunities for the public to be engaged and help care for this beautiful place we call home.”
To learn more and read the full document, visit clearwaterconservancy.org.
ClearWater members attending the annual meeting also elected three new board members. Terry Melton, Denise Quinn and Matthew Marshall will join the board to serve the 2019-21 term. Incumbent candidates Tom Butler (2019), Chris Magent (2019), Matthew Hardy (2020), Margaret Brittingham (2020), Kevin McGarry (2021) and Andy Warner (2021) were also re-elected.
During the evening several annual awards were presented. The Barbara Fisher Volunteer of the Year Award honored Doug Wion for his service to the organization. The Conservation Commendation Award was presented to the Radzwich family for their dedication to conservation and the Kuhns family for their commitment to conservation education. The Donald Hamer Leadership Award was given to Steven Maruszewski for his leadership legacy that has shaped forward progress for the organization.
