Long-time conservation director stepping down at San Juan Preservation Trust

— from Craig Canine for San Juan Preservation Trust —

Debra Clausen, who has served as Conservation Director of the San Juan Preservation Trust since 2006, is retiring at the end of this month. The
Preservation Trust’s board of trustees and fellow staff members wish to acknowledge her enormous contribution to advancing the organization’s mission over many years, which include three years of board service before she joined the staff as Conservation Director.

Since Clausen took the position 14 years ago, more than 115 conservation-easement and preserve transactions have been completed. This has doubled the Preservation Trust’s protected acreage (which now exceeds 19,000 acres) and more than doubled protected shoreline miles (now more than 48 miles).

“It has been my great privilege to work with the staff, board, and supporting members of the Preservation Trust in conserving critical habitats and landscapes in the islands,” Clausen said. “Significant new conservation work remains to be done. I look forward to passing the conservation baton to my successor.”

The search for that successor has begun. The Conservation Director collaborates with island landowners, agency partners (such as the San Juan County Land Bank), and other nonprofit organizations to build and maintain a pipeline of high-quality land conservation projects in the San Juan archipelago. Anyone who is interested can see the full job description and application instructions here. The position is open until filled. Interview selections begin in early March.

About the San Juan Preservation Trust

The San Juan Preservation Trust is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nationally accredited land trust dedicated to helping people and communities conserve land in the San Juan Islands of Washington State since 1979. The Preservation Trust is not affiliated with any government agency and does not receive tax revenue. Financial support comes from the voluntary contributions of some 3,000 private individuals, families, and foundations. Connect with us online at www.sjpt.org.