Our Values

The following values and principles have guided the Methow Conservancy's work since 1996. We share these values and principles as our commitment to continuing to use them as a compass.

A responsibility as a “forever” organization. Like our conservation easements, which are effective in perpetuity, we intend to be around forever. That means we think long-term, plan long-term, and recognize there will be lots of ups and downs and we just need to be stable enough to ride through them all.

A connection to the land. At the root of our work is people forming connections with the land and feeling inspired to care for it. The opportunities we provide to connect people to the land—through our First Tuesdays, Farm Tour series, field trips, and work parties—are critical to our relevance in the community. (Click HERE to learn more about our events.)

A commitment to relationships. Relationships matter. We maintain close ties with our stakeholders both internally (staff, board, advisory council) and externally (partners, agencies, conservators, donors, and other nonprofit organizations).

Transparency in communication. Our work is complex and often includes discretion, especially when dealing with real estate transactions. We share as much of our work as possible as soon as possible, so that those who care about what we do can follow our work closely.

Collaboration and partnerships. Most of our work does not happen in a vacuum. We rely on partnerships and collaborations to achieve our mission. From our work in the elementary school with Schoolyard Science, to protecting pieces of privately-held land, to our free educational programs in the community, to supporting farms through Methow Grown and Farms to Neighbors, nearly all of our work involves some sort of collaboration.

A commitment to community. We use our trusted position in the community to help elevate other non-profit organizations. We offer our conference space and organizational expertise to support other local non-profits. We lead and/or participate in long term recovery and resiliency efforts in the valley, including fire/flood recovery and restoration, the Methow Housing Solutions Network, food access efforts, and other programs that promote a healthy community. We take leadership roles in collaborative fundraising efforts. We share other organizations’ news and events in our monthly ENews and social media.

Inclusivity. We believe that those who have lived in the Methow Valley since Time Immemorial deserve to be welcome in their homeland, recognized, and consulted with as the original and ongoing stewards of this land. We believe that those who work in the Methow Valley should be able to live here. We recognize that not all people have equal access to or feel welcome in this beautiful place we work to protect and we believe it is important for our work to help change this reality. Click HERE to learn more about how we “show up” for this work.

Agility. We are responsive and nimble—able to take advantage of opportunities, adapt to change, and respond quickly when necessary. Through fiscal responsibility and careful planning, we maintain the capacity to direct staff time toward long-term and ongoing programs and projects as well as unexpected chances to further leverage conservation values and projects in the Methow Valley.

Bold, strategic thinking. We believe that our organization has the capacity and the responsibility to have a lasting impact in the Methow Valley—to make a significant, positive difference for the landscape, for farming, for wildlife, and for community—forever. We approach conservation work through a community-centered lens, and we consider the whole community (human and wild) as we do our work.

Ultimately, we believe in finding the balance between community and conservation. We believe that what’s good for the natural world can also be good for people and our local economy—that thoughtful environmental stewardship contributes to thriving communities. We know that public access to beautiful outdoor spaces is integral to the health and well-being of all people and that open spaces and scenic vistas matter to Methow Valley residents and visitors. We believe in the power of inspiring people to care for the land.