We envision a future in which Northwest citizens inspire their leaders to make the strongest possible commitment to steward our natural resources for generations to come.

Ours is a region of abundant natural resources, vast areas of undisturbed wild lands and thriving populations of humans, wildlife, fish, and native plant species. To sustain our fish and wildlife populations, we need large core habitat areas linked by wildlife corridors, rivers, and streams. To sustain a healthy economy, we need clean air, land, and water. To ensure that our children inherit these natural treasures, we seek an informed populace and decision-makers who are accountable to strong stewardship policies.

Our vision offers us hope for our region. Elected officials and public policy-makers already acknowledge that a healthy environment is a key competitive advantage in a region with a globalizing economy. We see the possibility for government agencies, businesses, and citizens to work collaboratively and to lead the nation in developing new approaches and technologies to protect our natural resources.

As we prepare for the spend-out of our foundation's endowment over the coming decade, we expect the decisions made by these leaders to increasingly reflect what they already know to be true about the connection between a clean environment, a vibrant economy, and a thriving population. We will look for program investments that have a high likelihood of near-term success and that may contribute to long-term organizational sustainability that extends beyond the life of the foundation.