Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

Rachel Carson, the biologist and nature writer who helped launch the modern environmental movement, would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2007. Even now, a century after her birth, her poetic words and her peerless fortitude inspire us to look inward and ask the most of ourselves.

Scholar H. Patricia Hynes said of Carson's book Silent Spring that it altered the balance of power in the world. "No one since," Hynes wrote, "would be able to sell pollution as the necessary underside of progress so easily or uncritically." That is nothing less than what we at the Brainerd Foundation are trying to achieve. We want to alter the balance of power even more by helping to build a broad-based, diverse, durable, and effective conservation movement-a movement so powerful that no one, no matter how callous or cavalier, would dare to pursue a vision for the Northwest that fails to protect our natural environment.

So how do we, together with our grantees, do that? I think we need to draw on some of the same basic traits that guided Rachel Carson's life and imbued her works: think critically, stay focused, and lead as though the world depends on us.

Think critically.

Critical thinking requires that you actively and intentionally gather information through observation, experience, communication, reflection or reasoning. Then you must conceptualize, analyze and apply that information to guide your actions. This year the Brainerd Foundation examined socio-economic, demographic and ecological trends; researched conservation politics and the capacity of the conservation movement; and conducted media analyses. After completing the research, we shared it with grantees and funders alike. The findings fostered some interesting discussions we plan to follow up on in 2008, but initially three crosscutting themes emerged:

• Success begets success. Northwest conservationists are building power by demonstrating their ability to achieve victories. In hostile political environments, this often means defensive campaigns to block anti-environmental measures. In more supportive arenas, conservationists advance their agendas through collaborative work and constructive relationships with pro-conservation policymakers. In both contexts, a key element in building power is claiming victory and demonstrating the community's effectiveness. This presents challenges for those accustomed to staking out "pure" positions and for those uncomfortable with incremental progress. Knowing how and when to declare victory requires a careful balance between idealism and pragmatism.
• The context is shifting. Change is inherent and requires us to approach our work with innovation and agility. To stay effective, conservationists must understand how shifting demographics and other trends shape public attitudes and concerns. Many struggle with how to maintain positive relationships with policymakers and yet hold them accountable on issues we all care about.

  There is a shift, as well, in how the media now covers our issues. The media has been impacted strongly by changing technology, budget cuts, and corporate consolidation. Conservationists must be cognizant of these impacts in order to educate the public and policymakers.

• Climate change is key. Our media and political research underscores the growing significance of global warming. It is the lens through which increasing numbers of decisionmakers and environmentalists view the challenges before us.

While the research in 2007 was extensive, it was not exhaustive. In 2008, we expect to recommend additional research to build on the established base and further our progress. We continually welcome input from grantees and potential grantees in this regard.

Be focused.

Our new strategic plan hones the number of places the Brainerd Foundation funds and re-emphasizes our goal: to build the will of community and policy leaders to protect our region's air, land and water. Thus, you will see that our programs, as well as our grantees, are focused on fewer places and on issues that galvanize greater engagement.

Because of our trustees' business orientation, Brainerd understands what the business sector can offer to the non-profit sector. We have been intrigued with books such as Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't (and the accompanying monograph entitled Good to Great and the Social Sectors) by James C. Collins. Collins tries to identify factors that move companies from merely good to truly great, describing several management, personnel and operational practices and approaches that propel good-to-great transitions. Needless to say, staying focused on the goal is one that is always front and center.

Lead as though the world depends upon you.

Our nation's leaders (no matter what their party affiliation) must depend upon action in the states to lead the country. This may be truer now than at any other time in history. In recent years, Northwest states have led on a myriad of issues. These include promoting and protecting strong land-use policies (defeating anti-"takings" measures) and taking a strong stand on climate change policies (no new coal plants in Idaho and Montana, embracing California's auto emissions standards in Washington and Oregon). We have also seen how ranchers, farmers, county commissioners, and local business leaders have been able to protect the western landscapes they hold dear.

So, let the Northwest continue to lead in this vein. Today is the day, of all the times in history, to demonstrate courage and leadership. Let us lead the rest of this country and perhaps the world. Let's show how to save the natural riches we possess and how to do it from the grassroots on up. To accomplish this, we should contemplate the beauty of the earth, remember the spirit of Rachel Carson, and then call forth from within ourselves "those reserves of strength that will endure."

Ann Krumboltz, Executive Director