July Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

July's Change for Good Partner is

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

 

Protecting and enhancing precious land in the Rogue River region

to benefit our human and natural communities since 1978

 

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

 

More than 43 years ago, amidst a burgeoning population and rising real estate prices, a grassroots effort of concerned individuals foresaw the need to engage the community in protecting rural lands that were at risk of losing their natural values.

Founded in 1978, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy was created to ensure the natural wealth of the wild and working lands of the Rogue River region endure forever. As the state’s first regional, nonprofit land trust, they began working with local landowners to create conservation easements— a conservation approach to safeguard their lands in perpetuity. What began small has grown into 11,921 acres of protected lands across the Rogue River region.
  
Today, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy continues to fulfill its original mission by connecting people, nature, and communities. Their nationally accredited organization serves as a leader among regional land trusts, through its approach to community involvement and a successful conservation track record.

 

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy envisions a vast network of conserved lands spanning the region, connecting people to nature, and enhancing the quality of life for all who live or visit this special corner of the Pacific Northwest.

 

Enjoy Nature Talks on local special plants and animals as well as outdoor education activities at the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy's YouTube page.

Enjoy Nature Talks on local special plants and animals as well as outdoor education activities at the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy's YouTube page.

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
photo by Sisalee Leavitt

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy launched their Upper Bear Creek Watershed Project last year. Many people know how special the Bear Creek watershed is. SOLC is working to help keep it that way.

 

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

Southern Oregon enjoys a rich legacy of scenic and historic trails. The Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon Trail, and Applegate Trail each play an important role in the state's recreational and historic value. Hosted by Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, enjoy this presentation by Jeff Lalande and William Buck who provide a fascinating oral and visual tapestry, tying together these three trails and what they mean to Southern Oregon.

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
photo by Linda Thomas

This is a tale of a rare bird, a magnificent prairie, an inspiring conservationist, and a community education project. Thanks to Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, 324 more acres on Howard Prairie are permanently conserved.

 

To learn more about this local organization, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to support their work, visit landconserve.org

 

Change for Good Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

 

More Co-op News

What to do with all this citrus?!

So you grabbed a few too many extra oranges and grapefruits and lemons (and some finger limes, and some satsumas…), and rather than watch them go bad, we want to provide you with some ideas on how to reduce waste. You’ll also get to enjoy citrus in a lot of new ways!

There are many guides and recipes across the internet (like this one by our friends at Grow Forage Cook Ferment), so here are a few ideas to get your creative and citrus juices flowing.

Update from the General Manager: "Food for Paradise" campaign

Ashland Food Co-op's General Manager, Emile Amarotico, ends 2018 on a very uplifting note with a report back on the "Food for Paradise" donation campaign. Watch the video below, or read on for an extended written update.

Hello, this is Emile Amarotico, the general manager of Ashland Food Co-op with an update on the Co-op’s Food for Paradise initiative.

5 Fresh Ways to Save at the Co-op

We’ve all been there: your bank account is looking thin after a month of celebrations, but you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to save up for a big purchase later in the year

Now’s the time to make some changes to your spending - but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality goods at the Ashland Food Co-op.

These are some lesser known ways to save at the Co-op. Think of them like ordering off the secret menu. 

Savings Level: $

4 Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste

It’s the New Year, our favorite time for goal-setting, making positive resolutions, and shifting our impact. One of the Co-op’s goals is to become a Zero Waste facility. Our staff works to divert as much food waste as we can - and we hope our member-owners will join us in this goal too.

Meet Cooking Class Instructor Charlie Douglass

Many talented local chefs share their expertise in the Co-op Kitchen. Charlie Douglass is no exception. As the former Master Chocolatier at Harry and David, Charlie knows a thing or two about chocolate and candy making. 

Tell us how your love of cooking and food began.

Meet Cooking Class Instructor Tiazza Rose

From bread baking to Moroccan cooking, many talented local chefs share their expertise in the Co-op Kitchen. We'd like you to meet a few of them. Tiazza Rose has been teaching the Ashland community the art of Moroccan cooking for years. If you haven't taken a class from Tiazza yet, you should. Here's why.

 

Tell us how your love of cooking and food began.

Give the Gift of Wellness

 

Finding the perfect gift for a friend or loved one is an art. This winter, we carefully selected these assortments for those who love some good self-care, are working in partnership with their gut health, or for those making efforts to reduce their pain. Each of these gift ideas will help you make your loved ones feel extra special and extra healthful.

 

Give the Gift of Good Food

During the month of November, Co-op shoppers can nourish their own families and help fight hunger in the Rogue Valley. We’ve teamed up once again with Smart Chicken® for the Smart Giving Holiday Challenge.

Here’s how it works.

  • For every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken® you purchase from the Meat Department or the Deli, Smart Chicken® will donate one pound of chicken to a local non profit

We're All Turtles

By Dean Williamson, Board of Director

My grandmother loved to talk. Oh, could she talk! And she had one expression that I’ve always really liked. “If you come across a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be pretty sure it didn’t get there by itself.”

The Power of Principle Seven

By Emile Amarotico, General Manager

As we approach the holidays, I’d like to invoke the spirit of the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community. The International Cooperative Alliance defines Principle Seven as when “cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.”

So how does that work? How does Ashland Food Co-op demonstrate concern for community?

Love Local with the Local Guy

Throughout September, we will be celebrating all things local. And no one loves local or is more local than our Temporary Demo Coordinator, Brighton Litjens. He was basically raised at the Co-op, has a strong passion for local farmers and producers and loves delighting shoppers with delicious samples and great deals. Who better to tell us about loving local than the "Local Guy" himself?

Tell us a bit about yourself.