The Mountaineers Foundation recently awarded over $28,608 to 13 organizations throughout Washington, Oregon, and Alaska to expand environmental education, stewardship, and land preservation.  The third and final 2012 round of Community Grants brings the total awarded to $99,902 to further the important work of 35 non-profit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Each year the Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in three competitive rounds with a maximum award of $5000.

How many times have you crossed the bridge into West Seattle and noticed a large, green swath of vegetation on the hillside along the west bank of the Duwamish River? It looks pretty nice in contrast to the heavy industry in the area, doesn’t it? You are enjoying part of the nearly 500 acres of the West Duwamish Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is the largest contiguous forest within the Seattle city limits and the Nature Consortium is dedicated to its long-term stewardship.

The Nature Consortium has been working for the past 13 years to connect people, arts, and nature – especially in the Greenbelt. Last year, the Mountaineers Foundation approved grant monies that the Consortium used to support their upwards of 20 work parties each month. Our grant bought over $4000 worth of native plants and trees that were infused into newly cleared land in the Greenbelt. When I received the grant request I was immediately intrigued by the addition of live music to their work parties. Oh yes-music to work by! Nature Consortium performing artists come out to play in the woods to help the volunteers view the forest in an artistic and creative way.     

A special "thank you" to the many of you who support the Mountaineers Foundation through your generous donations and countless volunteer hours. With your help, we have been able continue our stewardship of the Rhododendron Preserve and provide grants to many worthwhile conservation and environmental education projects.

In 2011, a key focus of our outreach efforts will be to raise the funds necessary to exercise an option to purchase land from the Ueland Tree Farm, adjacent to the Preserve. Some of this land is currently part of the 100 acre conservation easement granted to the Foundation in 2009.

Another important project in 2011 is to complete the remediation efforts on Hidden Ranch, which will require many volunteer hours as well as financial support. You can read about the progress on our blog.

As always, we will continue to provide grants to worthwhile convervation and environmental projects of the Mountaineers Club and other community groups. The first grant round of 2011 will close for applications on February 1.

If you have not yet had a chance to contribute, please take a moment to donate now. Thank you for your support.

by Nancy Neyenhouse, Community Grants Committee Chair

What images come to mind when Leavenworth, WA is mentioned? Bavarian village? Christmas lights? Wine tasting? After my extremely informative visit with Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition Director, Annie Schmidt, I will always conjure up images of bushwhacking up a hillside in the Chumstick watershed and learning the ins and outs of stand examination and forest fuels reduction! In 2009, the Mountaineers

Director Annie Schmidt, Nancy Neyenhouse, Volunteer Steve Raymond