CHATHAM — The Columbia Land Conservancy is excited to share the Paden Legacy Fund Advancing Conservation and Education (PLACE). The initiative seeks to raise $300,000 to honor former Executive Director Peter Paden’s devotion and care to our community.
The PLACE Fund carries Peter’s legacy forward with three initiatives: caring for the land through service and stewardship, connecting next-generation leaders to conservation careers, and protecting the places we love. Taken together, these efforts further invest in a thriving community of youth, volunteers, landowners, and citizens working together to care for the land.
“Community members have contributed nearly $200,000 to honor Peter,” says Director of Philanthropy Craig Westcott. “These funds will make it possible to make a very real impact on Columbia County for generations to come — just like Peter.”
Everyone can play a role in celebrating Peter’s contributions to conservation: Make a gift. Visit clctrust.org/place to make a tax-deductible donation. Volunteer for Peter. CLC is recruiting 64 new volunteers (one person and a friend for each of Peter’s 32 years of service to the organization). Visit clctrust.org/volunteerforpeter to sign up. Hike Miles for Peter. What better way to honor Peter than to visit the Public Conservation Areas he loves so much? Visit clctrust.org/miles for Peter to download your form today, and show it to participating businesses for special discounts.
If you’d like to learn more about the campaign or discuss your gift, contact Craig Westcott at craig.westcott@clctrust.org or 518.392.5252, ext. 222.
Johnson Newspapers 7.1