News & Press

Building the Next Generation of Field Ecologists

Every conservation professional starts somewhere. For many aspiring field ecologists, getting that first hands-on experience in the outdoors can be the biggest hurdle.

This summer, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is partnering with University of Washington professor Julie Larson to help create opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in field ecology but who may have had limited access to outdoor recreation, camping, or field research experiences.

Thank you to everyone who has already taken our Strategic Planning Survey. We appreciate the time you've spent sharing your thoughts and helping shape the future of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust.

If you haven't had a chance to participate yet, there's still time! The survey is open through June 30 and takes just 10–15 minutes to complete.

A new StoryWalk® book has been installed at Jacobson Preserve in Wenatchee! Walk the beginning of the trail to read "Wildflowers of the Wenatchee Foothills" by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust.

About the book: Our Wildflowers of the Wenatchee Foothills kids book is a fun, interactive way for young explorers to learn about the plants they see on the trail. With simple descriptions and engaging activities

About StoryWalk®:

4/29/2026 Lunch & Learn - From Dead Zone to Healthy Habitat: Options for Replacing Your Existing Lawn

Chelan-Douglas Land (CDLT) hosted another Lunch & Learn event, bringing CDLT members together for an engaging and informative conversation on land conservation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us-we’re grateful for your time and participation. For those who were unable to attend, the presentation details and resources are shared below.

3/25/2026 Lunch & Learn - Chelan PUD Winter Mule Deer Monitoring in the Sage Hills 

Chelan-Douglas Land (CDLT) hosted another Lunch & Learn event, bringing CDLT members together for an engaging and informative conversation on land conservation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us-we’re grateful for your time and participation. For those who were unable to attend, the presentation details and resources are shared below.

At the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, our volunteers and staff rely on specialized equipment to maintain trails, restore habitats, and manage our conservation properties. In addition to financial contributions, in-kind donations of tools and equipment make a huge difference in helping us steward the land effectively.

2/26/2026 Lunch & Learn - Landscaping for Fire Resistance: Native Plant Strategies in a Changing Climate

Chelan-Douglas Land (CDLT) hosted another Lunch & Learn event, bringing CDLT members together for an engaging and informative conversation on land conservation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us-we’re grateful for your time and participation. For those who were unable to attend, the presentation details and resources are shared below.

2/6/2026 | Years of Planning Lead to Conservation Success in the Upper Wenatchee

Much of Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) conservation work is accomplished through years-long collaboration with partner organizations. Such is the case with privately owned forest lands in Chelan County.

A new StoryWalk® book has been installed at Jacobson Preserve in Wenatchee! Walk the beginning of the trail to read "Counting Winter" by Nancy White Carlstrom. 

To make it even more fun, we’re giving away free kids’ goodie bags—pick one up at our downtown office (18 N. Wenatchee Ave) after your StoryWalk® adventure!

1/29/2026 Lunch & Learn - Conservation Strategies: Tax and Estate Planning Benefits for Landowners

Chelan-Douglas Land (CDLT) Trust kicked off the year with our first Lunch & Learn, bringing CDLT members together for an engaging and informative conversation on land conservation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our January CDLT Lunch & Learn. We’re grateful for your time and participation. For those who were unable to attend, the presentation details and resources are shared below.

1/13/2026

As we celebrate the end of 2025 and the start of a new year, CDLT staff are wrapping up an important annual task: property monitoring. This work is a core part of our commitment to stewarding both the lands we own and the lands protected through conservation easements.

Each year, staff visit all 42 properties owned by CDLT, as well as the 19 properties protected by conservation easements. During these visits, we document any changes on the land and, for conservation easements, ensure that all conditions remain within the terms of the easement.

11/18/2025

We are grateful to local artist Allison Lewis, owner of TealPatrickArt, for generously donating this year’s Annual Campaign thank-you card artwork. Her piece, Sage Hills Spring, is a beautiful watercolor and mixed-media painting inspired by the landscapes we all cherish.

Allison’s creativity and connection to the natural world shine through in every brushstroke, and we are honored to share her work with our supporters. Thank you, Allison, for helping us celebrate the lands that bring our community together.