Dear Friends and Supporters,
This summer, we lost an author who has inspired a generation. In his enduring poem, “The Peace of Wild Things,” Wendell Berry writes of those moments when we find ourselves weary of the weight of modern life, when fear for the future wakes us in the quiet hours of the night. His remedy is profoundly simple and reflects the roots of our mission, and captures so eloquently the transformative power of nature. When we connect with the natural world, our perspective shifts away from our immediate anxieties and toward something enduring, tranquil, and greater than ourselves.
I often think about how closely this experience mirrors the act of finding a purpose greater than our own personal needs. When you devote your time, energy, or financial resources to a cause you care about deeply, a similar transformation takes place. Pursuing a passion — or supporting a mission like land conservation — is an act of stepping outside the self. It bridges the gap between our individual lives and the larger, mysterious, interconnected world around us.
Both of these experiences point to a truth which is universal to the human experience: to truly find ourselves, or to uncover our greatest sense of purpose, we must first find a way to become part of something greater.
By investing in the protection of open spaces, wildlife corridors, and the joyful laughter of children, you are not merely preserving landscapes — you are sustaining the sanctuaries that restore the human spirit, and joining in a grand and noble cause greater than any one of us.
As this year comes to a close, I invite you to renew your connection to the Earth and to those special people closest to you. Thank you for joining us as we strive towards achieving our goals, whether as a donor, program participant, visitor, or volunteer, and for choosing to be part of a legacy far greater than any of us could build alone.
Warm regards,
Frazier Haney
Executive Director
