Nisqually Land Trust to Celebrate 25th Anniversary at Annual Auction and Conservation Dinner

Protection of Petersen Ranch to Be Highlighted

Olympia, WA— The Nisqually Land Trust will celebrate its 25th anniversary at its annual Conservation Auction & Dinner, to be held from 4 to 9 p.m. on April 26th at St. Martin’s Worthington Center. The evening includes a three-course dinner and live and silent auctions with more than 100 items up for bid. All proceeds go to support protection and management of critical wildlife habitat in the Nisqually River Watershed, from the Nisqually Glacier down to the Nisqually Delta.

Auction highlights include rare Northwest Native American art, an Oregon wine country equestrian getaway and a Colorado rafting trip. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on exciting recreational excursions and goods and services from local businesses and artists.

The Land Trust will also present its President’s Awards, which this year will go to Thurston County and to the Petersen Family of Yelm. The awards recognize the permanent protection of the 230-acre Petersen Ranch, which includes over a mile of salmon-producing Nisqually River shoreline.

The Land Trust’s purchase of a conservation easement on the ranch was made possible by a Conservation Futures grant from Thurston County, funding from the Nisqually Tribe, and a generous donation from the Petersen Family.

“This is one of the Nisqually Watershed’s cornerstone conservation properties,” said Joe Kane, Nisqually Land Trust Executive Director. “It contains extensive habitat for threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Future generations of the Petersen family will continue to operate the ranch, as the family has done since the 1930s, while maintaining critical salmon habitat. It’s a great honor for us, on our 25th anniversary, to help protect something so rare, and to be able to recognize such good people.”

Auctioneer Cindy Schorno will preside over this year’s event, which has become a must-attend for South Sound conservationists and is known for its fine Native American and Northwest art. “And for many folks, the attraction is that it’s a great party,” said Kane. “It’s a fun way to help protect some of the most important habitat in the Pacific Northwest.”

The auction also offers a number of environment-friendly items that help protect water, such as a “Greening Your Cleaning” gift basket, a landscaping consultation, and native plants.

Tickets include dinner with a choice of entrees and cost $75. For reservations and information, call 360-489-3400, or make your reservations electronically at http://www.nisquallylandtrust.org.

The Land Trust protects over 4,600 acres between Mount Rainier National Park and the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. “That includes habitat for salmon and threatened wildlife,” said Kane. “With the help of our supporters, we are also protecting water quality, creating local jobs, planting trees to combat climate change and providing opportunities for children to experience nature. We’re working together to protect an irreplaceable legacy forever, for everyone.”

Kane said that funds from events like the auction are critical to the organization’s success because they leverage grants and partnerships. Olympia Federal Savings, Hancock Forest Management, Conservation Forestry, LLC., JWM&A, Puget Sound Energy, Merrill Lynch, Re♦Solve, and Beyler Consulting are major sponsors for the event. The Trust’s goal is to raise $70,000. Visit http://www.nisquallylandtrust.org to see this year’s auction catalog. Proxy bids will be accepted.