Our annual Coast Legacy Circle brunch, held this year on Sept. 16, is more than a gathering to partake in food and merriment: It’s also an opportunity for us to thank this special group of legacy donors and share with them about our ongoing conservation and stewardship work on the Oregon Coast.
About four dozen CLC members—individuals who have named NCLC in their estate plans—came together for this special event, which was moved this year to our Circle Creek Conservation Center. For some, it was their first chance to see the conservation center, completed in September 2024.
After attendees had a chance to mingle and catch up over food and drinks, Development Director Kassia Nye took a moment to thank the group for being part of the ecosystem that enables the land conservancy to thrive. Between the volunteers who pull weeds and plant trees, and those who donate money, and those who provide behind-the-scenes operational assistance, “it all works together,” she explained. Not to mention, there are many CLC members who wear several hats, contributing to NCLC’s success in a variety of consistent and meaningful ways.
This has helped to create a “culture of reciprocity” at NCLC that is equally about giving and receiving, Executive Director Katie Voelke said. “It feels so good to be part of that,” she added. “We find it a gift to take care of each other and to know we can be taken care of.”
Such a culture is necessary for nurturing a sense of collective well-being, connection, and resiliency. Together, we can live more healthy and happy lives, sharing in highs and lows, and overcoming challenges, “not because it’s easy, but because we find joy in working hard,” Katie said.
She also gave CLC members an overview of NCLC’s involvement in the Oregon Land Justice Project, a program of the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) in collaboration with the Tributaries Network. NCLC has been a part of the project since 2020.
The mission of the Oregon Land Justice Project is to “promote Indigenous stewardship, land access, and land return in Oregon,” which is accomplished “through education, relationship building, and organizational change in order to support Indigenous peoples in reclaiming and reconnecting to their ancestral homelands and First Foods.” As part of this project, NCLC and other land trusts contribute annually to an Indigenous Land Relationship Fund.
Currently, land trusts own about 2% of Oregon’s land, while tribes own less than 1%. It’s important to use our influence and privilege to change that ratio to support a healthier land ethic and community connection, Katie said, adding that, ultimately, “It’s all conservation.” Land trusts and other public and private landowners can also benefit from the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of Indigenous peoples of Oregon, who have lived on and cared for the land since time immemorial. It functions from an understanding that humans are not separate from the natural world, but “a piece of it,” Katie said. As such, our “behaviors and patterns matter a lot in the ecosystem.”
CLC members exemplify a similar attitude, one that takes into account the long-term effect of decisions made today about our coastal lands and waters. “You’re thinking about the future beyond yourself,” Katie said.
To wrap up the event, CLC members were invited to share their stories of this special place we all love so dearly, the Oregon Coast. Katie also read the obituary of Marney Beemer, a CLC member and beloved member of the Arch Cape community who passed away in May 2024, and a moment of silence was held in honor of her memory.
The 2025 CLC brunch was sponsored by Coaster Construction; Nicolle Landwehr, CFP; and Brut Wine Bar. We also couldn’t have put on this special event without the help of our amazing volunteers, who helped with setup and cleanup, dishing up our catered lunch, and keeping the coffee and mimosas coming.
Interested in becoming a CLC member? Learn more about the empowerment and peace of mind that comes from legacy giving. Additionally, if you’ve named NCLC in your estate plans, we encourage you to connect with us so we can welcome you into our Coast Legacy Circle and invite you to next year’s brunch!
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