Dear Friends,
I am incredibly honored to Chair the Board of Directors of Openlands during a milestone year for this remarkable organization. This annual report is a record of our achievements and a testament to the enduring strength of Openlands, forged over 60 years.
George Overton, who co-founded Openlands said, “our role is to raise the threshold of hope.” Openlands stands tall today thanks to the legions of board, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters who hold this tenet as our guiding star. We are Openlands. The result is an organization that boldly advances nature-based solutions to improve the health of our environment, enhance the well-being of communities, and create a more verdant region. Together, we are stronger than ever and well-positioned to provide continued critical leadership in conservation.
Jerry Adelmann, who led Openlands for 35 years, remarked in his keynote address at the 2023 Openlands Annual Luncheon, “We measure our success as much by the number of lives enriched as the number of acres saved.” This powerful sentiment sets the stage for the Nature for All campaign, Openlands’ most ambitious and hopeful campaign to date. We believe that nature is vital to all people. The Nature for All campaign aims to increase access to nature for people, for now, and for generations to come. We encourage you to explore the campaign updates section of our annual report to learn more about our progress and ways to get involved.
In 2023, the entire board and staff of Openlands welcomed Michael Davidson as our new President and CEO. Michael, who is a strong multidisciplinary leader, is well-poised to spearhead the next chapter of our organization. Join us to protect our region’s economic, cultural, and ecological future in the face of global challenges. With Openlands’ legacy of impact at the regional and national levels, we stand ready. Together, let’s continue raising the threshold of hope.
With partnership,
JoAnn Seagren
Chair
Openlands’ Board of Directors
