Wild Splendor 2014 Raises $250,000 for Columbia Land Trust

Meggan Low and Laus Mwakalebela

Portland, October 16, 2014. Columbia Land Trust hosted 300 loyal supporters at their annual fundraising gala, Wild Splendor 2014. The event celebrated the dedicated work of Columbia Land Trust, and featured the premiere of their short film, The River’s Will, which chronicled their groundbreaking conservation efforts in the Sitka spruce swamps of the Grays River Bay. Among the green light and the sounds of the swamp, donors raised their paddles for a total of $250,000 to support Columbia Land Trust’s promise to conserve and care for their lands in perpetuity. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)

David and Lynn DiCesare, board chair and event emcee Betsy Henning, and Josh and Emily Oliva

) New board member Al Solheim, Hood River County Commissioner Maui Meyer, and Amie Abbott

Lakeridge High School volunteers Jenny Li and Victoria Lee

From Columbia Land Trust:

Here at Columbia Land Trust, what we do is simple: We conserve and care for the heart of the Northwest, the places that make ours an incredible region to live, work, raise a family, and grow old in. Wetlands and oak woodlands. Columbia River tributaries and Columbia River shores. Forests both wild and working. Natural areas in urban strongholds and wide-open spaces that anchor rural communities. These are the places that provide all of us who call the Northwest home with well-being and an unrivaled quality of life. Learn more at www.columbialandtrust.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.