November 2023: A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,

I am honored to be writing you for the first time as the Executive Director of the Wolf River Conservancy.  Our organization owes a debt of gratitude to our retiring executive, Keith Cole, whose voice you have become familiar with right here in this space over the past 13 years and whose mentorship I am extremely grateful for.  Thank you, Keith!

I would like to share two moments from my first month with the Conservancy that have helped bring into sharp relief the value of our work and the incredible support that makes it possible.

First, our primary mission since 1985 has been to protect land in the Wolf River watershed.  Last week, I had the good fortune to spend a day with our Director of Conservation, Ryan Hall, walking a 150-acre parcel of land being purchased by the Conservancy.  This particular property has high conservation value, with a mixture of herbaceous uplands and bottomland hardwoods which include mature 70 ft. white oak trees.  Aquifer-fed springs flow through the trees, so I was soon covered in mud, but fresh air and the sound of the wildlife surrounding us quickly made the trek worth every waterlogged step.  Though the valuable white oaks could have been logged and this land with road frontage could have otherwise been developed, the trees will continue to grow, and the land will now be protected in perpetuity, helping to recharge our aquifer and keep our water clean, providing wildlife habitat, and ensuring a healthier Wolf River for generations to come.  As an accredited land trust, we operate at the highest standard possible to make projects like this a reality.  I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this incredible work to preserve lands that directly impact the well-being of our community.

Earlier this month we hosted our annual fundraising event, the Greenway Soirée, where I was delighted to meet so many members of the community whose passion for our work left me deeply inspired.  Many stories were shared of personal connections to the Wolf River, to the Wolf River Greenway, and to the lands we protect.  Our efforts are only made possible through the support of volunteers and benefactors who believe in the mission of the Conservancy.  This year’s event was a sell out and I cannot wait to bring to life our vision for the Soirée in 2024.

The Wolf River Conservancy has a bright future ahead.  Our team of staff and committed volunteers see an incredible opportunity to scale our work connecting communities through conservation, education and recreation.  I look forward to sharing our story with you each month and writing about our successes as well as our challenges. I am excited to meet you at one of our many upcoming educational events, river paddles, service projects or just out on the Greenway for a stroll through nature.    

Respectfully,

Erik Houston

Executive Director