Moving the Needle
A Supporter Spotlight
Dan DeKimpe’s interest in The Wildlands Conservancy’s work was first piqued with the California Desert Land Acquisition Project in the late 1990s. Familiar with the heart of the Mojave, he’d even driven past the “For Sale or Development” signs and caught wind of the effort to protect these pristine desert lands from exploitation. It was then that Mr. DeKimpe made his first gift.
Since that time, Dan has become not just a supporter, but a friend. Focusing his recent support on projects that “move the needle,” these gifts have been vital in creating new opportunities for visitors: public access at the newly acquired Aspen Glen Preserve, an improved trailhead into the Sawtooth Mountains at Pioneertown Mountains Preserve, educational signage at Oak Glen Preserve’s Children's Forest, and support for a new acquisition.
Not only does Dan sponsor projects like these that are initiated by Wildlands, but he also provides funding for projects he recommends based on visiting the preserves (14, and counting) and talking with staff. If you visit a preserve in the coming months, you’ll notice a new kiosk dedicated to showcasing The Wildlands Conservancy’s West Coast preserve system, a project recommended and funded by Dan to ensure that every visitor knows that the preserve they are at is just one of many.
photo by Elba Mora / The Wildlands Conservancy
Dan DeKimpe embraces The Wildlands Conservancy mission to create access to nature through his funding of important public access projects each year. To ramp up his giving and really “move the needle,” he set a goal of 25x25: funding 25 projects by 2025. He is well on his way to achieving this goal, having funded ten projects to date, six of which he sponsored in their entirety. He hopes to inspire others to “move the needle” in whatever way they can, perhaps finding their own 25x25 goal.
Updated 1/12/2023 to reflect origin of 25x25 goal.