Dear friends:
As we end 2022, I want to express gratitude for your support of The Nature Conservancy in Washington and beyond.
Your support sustains and strengthens us as we seek to build an enduring legacy of conserving the lands and waters upon which all life depends. There is much to celebrate. We have a talented, diverse, and committed team and Board of Trustees, deep partnerships across the state, and a solid resource base. We are making a positive difference for people and nature here at home, across the region and around the world. I encourage you to spend time reading stories and updates from our team. Your support makes all this possible. Thank you!
This is also a season for looking ahead. I would like to share several key themes that will shape our work and impact in 2023.
Biodiversity
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, negotiated in Montreal in early December, sets a goal of protecting 30% of the earth’s land and waters by 2030 and focuses on global equity and the leadership of Indigenous peoples. The Global Biodiversity Framework builds on decades of activism, science, and hard work to set a guiding star for collective action by humanity. The Framework will help accelerate our work here at home and compel us to deepen our commitments to protecting and benefitting from nature.
Climate Investments
Another 2022 milestone that will have a profound impact is the historic level of investment in climate action that will begin to flow as a result of implementation of the Washington Climate Commitment Act and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. These three pieces of legislation will bring billions of dollars to the Pacific Northwest in the next decade for the transition to clean energy and adaptation to climate change. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make game-changing investments for people and nature. With our experience in driving private and public finance to conservation, we at The Nature Conservancy have a key role to play in ensuring these investments make a lasting difference.
Equity and inclusion
There is a growing commitment to embedding equity and inclusion in conservation and climate action at the local, national, and global scales. Each of the three pieces of legislation mentioned above contain commitments to equitable allocation of resources. Global agreements on climate and biodiversity explicitly emphasize the crucial leadership role of Indigenous people and the imperative of increased resource flow to communities most impacted by climate change. Our work at The Nature Conservancy is increasingly oriented towards supporting Indigenous and local community leadership in climate and conservation efforts. We have a lot to learn in this arena and we are grateful for the encouragement of many partners.
The Nature Conservancy’s 2030 goals are deeply aligned with these themes and opportunities. In support of those goals, our Washington team and Board of Trustees are implementing a new strategic framework, sharpening our focus on addressing the climate and nature crises, and growing our impact for people and nature. We look forward to sharing updates on this framework in the coming months.
The last several years have brought home how important it is to care for ourselves and others even as we strive to care for our communities and the planet. As we start 2023, I hope you will find well-being and will be able to deepen your connections with your community and your favorite places. Thank you for your continued commitment and support.
Mike Stevens
Washington State Director
Feature photo: Kit Swartz
