From the
President
CONSERVATION IN HARD TIMES
A
s this issue of Land&People goes to press, the nation’s attention is
focused on the economic downturn, which has many Americans
facing the future with apprehension. Certainly conservation groups are
not immune to the recession’s impact. Like other nonprofits, they are
dealing with a falloff in donations, and some states have cut back on
conservation spending.
But as you’ll discover in a story in this issue, the recession also holds
enormous opportunities for conservationists. As land values fall, TPL is
getting a chance to acquire much-loved landscapes, important recreation
lands, and rare wildlife habitat once destined for the bulldozer. If money
can be found to buy the land while it is inexpensive, TPL can create
public parks where there would have been parking lots and preserve
natural open space where there might have been backcountry sprawl.
The recession also clarifies the importance of conservation work—especially in creating
access to parks, recreation, and natural lands near where people live. As budgets tighten,
families seek out opportunities for recreation and renewal on public lands—places that all of
us own and can enjoy at little or no cost. In a time when many of us are sticking close to home,
we are particularly grateful for the park down the street. And even if we’ve had to give up our
membership in a gym or health club, we can still get exercise on a public biking or hiking trail.
This issue of Land&People highlights such close-to-home parks, recreation areas, trails, and
open spaces. Reading these stories, you will learn about the nation’s 47,000-mile system of
National Scenic and Historic Trails; Santa Fe’s new Railyard Park and Plaza; and the
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area outside Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver,
Washington, where, in partnership with an extraordinary volunteer conservationist named
Nancy Russell, TPL has protected more than 17,000 acres over two decades.
These and other TPL conservation accomplishments would be impossible without the
support of thousands of donors nationwide who believe that all Americans, whatever the state
of their pocketbook, should enjoy access to land, nature, and recreation. We thank you for
giving what you can to help. Our public lands are part of our collective wealth—never more
appreciated than in hard times like these and always worthy of our support.
Sincerely,
HAL WILLIAMS
Will Rogers
President
