Restoration…one special space or special friend at a time

Olivia Mlada and special friend “Pumpkin” the horse.

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters of LNRP:

Transformative restoration requires time, passion, patience, vision, and yes, resources. I recently witnessed a very personal example.

Our oldest daughter Olivia loves horses, always has since a young age. I suppose that isn’t unique to young girls, but Liv’s love of horses has been ever-present. In fact, last summer, in advance of her Sophomore year of college, she worked at not one, but two, area horse farms. Up every day at 5 a.m., I always saw her excited to be off to her work with the horses at the farms.

But last Summer was special for Liv, because she worked tirelessly with a rescue pony named Pumpkin – and over the course of the Summer, they forged a very special relationship based upon trust.

That photo you see is our Olivia with her Pumpkin.

I went to the farm one day with Liv, and I watched her work with Pumpkin. I was immensely proud to be her Dad. She was patient, loving, caring, and gentle with Pumpkin. Pumpkin not only responded to Liv – she clearly reciprocated. It was a moving experience, one I won’t forget.

As we took Pumpkin back to her stall, I asked Liv what it was about Pumpkin, a simple rescue pony, that meant so much and made her want to devote so much time and energy to her.

“I feel like I’m restoring her natural beauty, Dad, and showing people how special she really is,” Liv said. And then she added: “I bet that’s the same reason you love working for an environmental organization that restores things.”

Our LNRP Team is privileged indeed to champion restoration of our special natural areas and vital bodies of water. We’re all the more privileged to do that work alongside, and along with, YOU!

These past few years, during the time of the Covid pandemic, together we have helped restore about 1,500 acres of land. Now, that isn’t all “full restoration” – in other words, the work on that land and its waters very much continues. Eradication of destructive invasive species. Planting of over 20,000 trees. Improving water quality in creeks, streams, and rivers in several watersheds. Enhancing wildlife habitat. Advancing soil health. Making our communities more beautiful, more accessible, better places to live.

Ultimately, we help restore land and water – one area at a time –and when you give to LNRP, that’s what YOU do. You do it with us, for future generations, so they, too, can enjoy our most special places and treasured resources. That is a powerful and lasting impact!

On behalf of our LNRP Team, thanks so much. We are truly grateful for your trust, passion, partnership, and generosity!

With gratitude,