Partner Spotlight: Methow Conservancy
An Expansive Vision of Conservation
When we think about what it takes for people and communities to thrive, it's easy to separate the natural world from everything else. But in reality, our health, economy, culture, and sense of belonging are deeply connected to the places we call home. A thriving natural world is more than clean rivers, healthy forests, and open spaces. It's about creating communities where people feel connected to the land, understand its value, and are inspired to care for it for generations to come.
Over the last 30 years, the Methow Conservancy has been doing exactly that. While the organization is well known for protecting important landscapes throughout the Methow Valley, its work extends far beyond conservation easements and land stewardship.
"Our mission is kind of unique for a land trust," explained Ashley Lodato, Associate Director at the Methow Conservancy. "The mission isn't just about protecting the land, although that's folded in. It's to inspire people to care for the land of the Methow Valley, and that has really allowed us to have an expansive lens of what conservation can look like."
That philosophy shapes everything the Conservancy does. Rather than viewing conservation as a collection of isolated projects, the organization recognizes that lasting stewardship grows from strong relationships between people and place. By creating opportunities for education, volunteerism, and community connection, they are helping make caring for the land part of the culture of the Methow Valley.
Ashley Lodato, Associate Director at the Methow Conservancy
Making Stewardship Part of Daily Life
The Methow Conservancy strives to help its community members see how caring for the land can be woven into everyday life. From April through October, the organization invites volunteers to gather regularly for hands-on stewardship projects like restoring riparian habitat or helping with the maintenance of public spaces that local agencies may not otherwise have the capacity to care for.
Not every volunteer opportunity requires spending a full day outdoors. Some people help stuff envelopes, while others take on small but meaningful projects. For instance, one volunteer recently visited each of the seven William Stafford Methow River poem sites to make sure the interpretive plaques remained in good condition. Whether someone has several hours to give or just a few moments here and there, the Methow Conservancy works to make stewardship accessible.
Learning Through Place
Another defining feature of the Methow Conservancy's work is the consistency of its educational programming. Throughout the year, the organization offers a wide variety of recurring opportunities for community members to learn about the natural world, with something for nearly every age and interest.
Throughout the school year, local fourth grade students participate in Schoolyard Science, a monthly program that connects classroom curriculum with hands-on exploration of the natural world around them. For adults and lifelong learners, the Conservancy's First Tuesday lecture series offers free monthly presentations on topics ranging from agriculture and fire ecology to astronomy and local natural history.
These are just a few examples of programs designed to help people better understand the landscape they live in while fostering a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that sustain the Methow Valley.
Building Community Through Shared Experiences
The Conservancy’s steady rhythm of engagement opportunities is intentional. Recurring events allow neighbors to build relationships over time.
"The consistency of a lot of our work is really important for building community," said Bridger Layton, Education Programs Manager at the Methow Conservancy. "There’s this idea that if you missed an event, you can catch the next one. And if you went to something and liked it you can go to the next one and maybe see the same person again.”
Caring for a place also means creating opportunities for people to enjoy it together. Beyond its volunteer and educational programming, the Methow Conservancy also hosts community events like its annual Cider Squeeze, where families gather to press fresh apple cider, listen to live music, and connect with their neighbors. It's become a cherished tradition for many residents and offers newcomers an inviting way to meet people and feel part of the community.
Bridger Layton, Education Programs Manager at the Methow Conservancy
Multi-Solving in Action
On the surface, it would be easy to place Methow Conservancy's work squarely within the Vital Condition of Thriving Natural World. But their expansive vision of conservation also accounts for the ways our natural environment is intertwined with culture, history, education, belonging, and economic opportunity.
With support from Thriving Together NCW's 2025 Vital Conditions Grant, the organization is exploring farmland affordability, recognizing that protecting agricultural land is only part of the equation. Farmers also need realistic opportunities to own or access that land.
Like many rural communities, the Methow Valley has experienced rising land values as recreation and tourism have grown. While these changes have brought new opportunities, they have also made it increasingly difficult for young and beginning farmers to establish themselves. The result is a challenge that touches far more than agriculture. It influences local food production, economic opportunity, cultural identity, and the long-term character of the valley itself.
To explore potential solutions, the Conservancy has been evaluating new tools such as a Washington State revolving loan program, which allows land trusts to purchase at-risk farmland, place a conservation easement on the property to help reduce its cost, and ultimately lease or sell it at a more affordable price to working farmers. While the organization has not yet identified the right property to pilot the program, the work underway today is laying the foundation for future opportunities.
This effort is a powerful, real life example of multi-solving. Supporting farmland affordability strengthens the Thriving Natural World by preserving working landscapes while also advancing Basic Needs for Health and Safety through local food production and Meaningful Work and Wealth by helping the next generation of farmers build sustainable livelihoods.
"I love the idea of being able to help sow the seeds that later down the line might allow someone who's 30 years old to get into farming and make a life for themselves in the Methow Valley in a way that wouldn't have been possible without some type of intervention by an organization like ours," Bridger said.
Get Involved
Whether you're interested in learning more about the natural world, volunteering for a stewardship project, attending a community event, or simply finding new ways to connect with the Methow Valley, the Methow Conservancy offers countless opportunities to get involved.
The organization’s twice-monthly email updates are the best way for community members to stay informed about upcoming volunteer projects, educational programs, local conservation news, and natural history topics. With new opportunities shared throughout the year, it's an easy way for both longtime residents and newcomers to discover meaningful ways to get involved that fit their interests, availability, and schedule.
Catch up on past newsletters here and enter your email address at the bottom of the page to get signed up for future updates.
If the Conservancy's mission resonates with you, you can also contribute by donating to one of the Conservancy's program funds or land fund to help ensure this important work continues for generations to come.
The Methow Valley is the homeland of the mətx̌ʷu/Methow People. The Methow Conservancy is grateful to the mətx̌ʷu for their continued stewardship of this land and hope to continue learning from their example. To learn more about the mətx̌ʷu, visit their website.