Time in Nature Restores Sanity

As we look back on another year, the deafening chorus  of redundant themes we are assaulted with recently is  overwhelming. “Unprecedented and uncertain times”,  “social distancing,” and so on. One thing is clear to me: to maintain our sanity during this challenge we need to look for the positives. Truthfully, I have enjoyed the slower pace we’ve been required to take. This situation has definitely created less “busy-ness”, more quiet time, time to be in nature, time to be in the moment. And more and more people are heading outdoors seeking relief by connecting with nature. Our preserves become ever more beneficial and our mission takes on further significance.  

Coming to terms with this difficulty may mean accepting  it as best we can and making the most of our down time. And that can be something positive, perhaps even  transformative. But with a respectful nod to this new  reality, here are a few things we’ve been up to at the Land  Conservancy:

The CCLC board has joined the ranks of organizations adapting to a new business landscape. Changing our meeting platform earlier this year, the board now meets every other month via the Zoom program (thank goodness for technology), and we have assigned committees to meet in the off months. So far this has proven successful.  Committees are able to implement organizational goals  more efficiently, breaking down the tasks and reporting  back to the board with progress. We will continue to meet on Zoom until it is safe to return to in person meetings, which at the time of this newsletter is open ended. 

Last year the Conservancy received a large donation from the Don and Dolores Bichner Trust. Don passed away in January of 2018 and I recently spoke with his daughter, Laura. She described her father as a man who, growing up during the Great Depression, placed great value on preserving natural resources. An avid nature lover, he was also a member of the Conservancy and worked on the Native Tree Trail in Irvine Park. Upon observing a farm being subdivided or a new parking lot being paved he often commented to Laura that someday we would come to regret it. Don was a great asset to our community and the Conservancy is enormously grateful for his generous gift. We have earmarked a portion of the funds for capacity building and have hired a consultant who will assess the current and ongoing needs of the group. Our aim is to strengthen the organization and ensure our sustainability, and Don and Dolores’ gift will assist us in doing so.

And as always we thank you, all of our members, for your continued support over the years. We hope you can find some peace, quiet and healing as a result of enjoying the Conservancy properties this year.

(Featured image is of Kemper Woods by Dez Lezotte @dezlezotte)

By Alison Sazama