Celebrating 25 years of conservation & community
Join BMLT in celebrating our 25th anniversary this year! The flowing rivers, air filled with birdsong, and vivid sunsets capture the summer essence of the Blue Mountain region. Here, expansive fields and fertile farmlands flourish alongside forests and rolling mountains. This is the magic of the Blue Mountain region—a place that you have helped us protect and share for 25 years.
In 1999, we embarked on a journey to protect the landscapes that define our home. It all started with Carl and Sonia Schmitt’s family farm on Titus Creek in Walla Walla, a place where the love of the land runs deep.
With your support, that single act of conservation has grown into a movement, safeguarding over 23,327 acres of farms, ranches, and fish and wildlife habitats across the Blue Mountain region.
Every acre we protect tells a story of commitment and hope. The rivers and streams we've conserved—more than 40 miles—are lifelines for fish, wildlife, and our agricultural communities.
In 2021, we celebrated a new chapter by acquiring Phipps Meadow in Eastern Oregon, our first owned property. This milestone marks more than just a new acquisition, it's a commitment to the future as we embark on forest and river restoration projects in 2025. Restoring rivers is essential for biodiversity, clean water, and resilience against climate change, ensuring these resources thrive for present and future generations.
You and our BMLT community are at the center of the work we do.
Our community engagement programs have positively impacted thousands of lives, connecting children, adults, and families to the natural beauty of the outdoors. In 2018, we launched the BMLT Blues Crew program to give back to the trails that bring us so much joy. By 2019, we had restored the Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area, creating a place for family and friends to meet for winter recreation.
As we look to the future, we’re filled with excitement and ambition. We want to partner with you, because together we can make a difference. With your support:
This year, we will finalize conservation easements for another 970 acres, protecting vital farmland, streams, and rivers.
The BMLT Blues Crew is restoring access to popular trails in the Umatilla National Forest this summer, in partnership with the Northwest Youth Corps and the U.S. Forest Service. We will continue to expand the trail system at Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area and maintain our newly constructed warming shelter.
In partnership with Welcome Table Farm, Farm Kids launched its summer programming at the end of June with an expanded scholarship program so more kids can connect to nature. Plus, we are planning exciting adult education events for later this year!
But our work is far from over. There are countless landscapes to protect, trails to restore, and connections to the outdoors to create. We invite you to renew your commitment to celebrate our 25th anniversary.
Please consider extending your previous gift by adding 25%.
This contribution will help us protect the scenic, natural, and working lands of the Blue Mountain region and deepen our community's connections to nature. Your generosity is the foundation that supports our efforts. Together, we can ensure that the Blue Mountain region remains a place of beauty, adventure, and abundance for generations to come.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
Thank you,
Amanda Martino
BMLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR