Every day at The Nature Conservancy, I learn about a new way someone is helping protect the environment. Almost everyone I’ve talked to here says they appreciate the diverse, specialized, and dedicated staff members coming together to create solutions for conservation. One staff member said that working at TNC has broadened his understanding of the “tools of conservation.” I thought that was an interesting way to phrase their work!
If you opened up a “Toolbox of Conservation,” here’s a glimpse of what it may look like –
The tape measure: Scientists at TNC measure and run studies on how and where conservation should take place. The whole third floor of the TNC Oregon office houses these scientists and they’re exceptional at creating maps. There are scientists working at Oregon’s other TNC field offices as well.
The level: Other scientists are monitoring/measuring levels of various plant and animal species to find the right balance of conservation efforts.
The nuts & bolts: The volunteers are the nuts and the members/donors are the bolts. The volunteers help turn TNC’s plans into reality by using their elbow grease at work parties and doing other logistical work at the office. Today, I learned about a family who has been coming to work parties since their two children were young. Even when they were 8-10 years old, they took notes and worked diligently at the preserve. They’re teenagers now, but they still come along with their families to help out!
The donors fund land acquisitions and restoration work through bequests and endowments. I just wrote about a couple who left $1.5 million for TNC in their will. Because they lived a quiet, modest lifestyle, people never expected them to give so much!
The screw driver: The volunteer coordinators and field trip managers really drive the volunteers, members, and donors by directing them on what to do/where to go and by showing them how their work is making a difference.
The hammer: The marketing department hammers TNC’s goals and progress into the minds of the general public by showcasing the work it is doing and how it’s benefiting both people and the environment, not only in person but also through social media. You may see them tabling at concerts and relay-races with freebies and fun photo booths, and you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter!
The pliers: Like pliers, the philanthropy department sometimes has to tighten its grip on frequent donors and members to encourage them to continue supporting TNC. They do a great job of reaching out to them, making them feel welcome, and directing them to TNC field trips so they can see where their money goes.
The drill: The government relations team works with the state and federal government, drilling into policy makers’ heads the importance of conservation. Over the years, they’ve helped pass several bills that ensure adequate funding for conservation.
I know there are many more tools out there I have yet to learn about, but I am excited to see that all these tools work together for a common goal. After spending just 7 weeks here, I’ve realized that no one tool is the sharpest tool in the shed -- each one serves a crucial role in conservation.
Shajuti Hossain
Trinity 2015
If you opened up a “Toolbox of Conservation,” here’s a glimpse of what it may look like –
The tape measure: Scientists at TNC measure and run studies on how and where conservation should take place. The whole third floor of the TNC Oregon office houses these scientists and they’re exceptional at creating maps. There are scientists working at Oregon’s other TNC field offices as well.
The level: Other scientists are monitoring/measuring levels of various plant and animal species to find the right balance of conservation efforts.
The nuts & bolts: The volunteers are the nuts and the members/donors are the bolts. The volunteers help turn TNC’s plans into reality by using their elbow grease at work parties and doing other logistical work at the office. Today, I learned about a family who has been coming to work parties since their two children were young. Even when they were 8-10 years old, they took notes and worked diligently at the preserve. They’re teenagers now, but they still come along with their families to help out!
The donors fund land acquisitions and restoration work through bequests and endowments. I just wrote about a couple who left $1.5 million for TNC in their will. Because they lived a quiet, modest lifestyle, people never expected them to give so much!
The screw driver: The volunteer coordinators and field trip managers really drive the volunteers, members, and donors by directing them on what to do/where to go and by showing them how their work is making a difference.
The hammer: The marketing department hammers TNC’s goals and progress into the minds of the general public by showcasing the work it is doing and how it’s benefiting both people and the environment, not only in person but also through social media. You may see them tabling at concerts and relay-races with freebies and fun photo booths, and you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter!
The pliers: Like pliers, the philanthropy department sometimes has to tighten its grip on frequent donors and members to encourage them to continue supporting TNC. They do a great job of reaching out to them, making them feel welcome, and directing them to TNC field trips so they can see where their money goes.
The drill: The government relations team works with the state and federal government, drilling into policy makers’ heads the importance of conservation. Over the years, they’ve helped pass several bills that ensure adequate funding for conservation.
I know there are many more tools out there I have yet to learn about, but I am excited to see that all these tools work together for a common goal. After spending just 7 weeks here, I’ve realized that no one tool is the sharpest tool in the shed -- each one serves a crucial role in conservation.
Shajuti Hossain
Trinity 2015