Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of Tidecast, published exclusively for the members of the Tidewater Society and William Bartram Leadership Circle.

Sam’s Challenge
To say that the last months have been challenging for those of us in the nonprofit sector would be an understatement – donors are hesitant, land owners are skittish, and agencies are in turmoil.

My reaction had been one of retrenchment: to cut salaries, newsletters, travel, expenses, and to keep relentlessly focused on our core mission.

So when one of the Coastal Land Trust’s most loyal supporters – the one who’s always pushing us to think bigger, aim higher, and achieve more – picked this time to lay down a fundraising challenge . . . well, it took me by surprise. But it shouldn’t have. After all, this is the same guy whose email got us on the national radio show E-town several years ago.

Here’s Sam’s challenge: He will give the Coastal Land Trust $5,000 a year for 5 years ($25,000) over and above his already generous annual gift if we can find 9 more people to do the same.

Springer's Point - staff photo

Can you – either alone or with a giving circle of your friends or neighbors– help us meet Sam’s Challenge? We’ve already got 4 people considering adding their names to Sam’s list.

Lea Island - staff photo

I think Sam’s got the right idea – yes, it’s absolutely necessary to reduce expenses and to keep a firm rein on the budget. But it’s worth remembering the reasons why the Coastal Land Trust earned your support in the first place. None of those reasons have changed. So what is it about the Coastal Land Trust that should inspire us to meet Sam’s Challenge?

We have a compelling vision
- clean and abundant water
- places for wildlife
- beautiful places to enjoy nature
We have unique opportunities now
- We buy land and land is cheaper now than it has been for years.
We leverage your donations
- Last year, we used $314,000 in contributions to save $5,000,000 worth of land, or a 16 to 1 return on investment.
We have momentum
- Land conservation deals take years to complete. Our land staff already has great projects in the pipeline.

Bird Island - staff photo

Last but not least, our past accomplishments should inpsire us. The generosity of members of the Tidewater Society and William Bartram Leadership Circle helped us protect beautiful natural areas such as Springer's Point, Lea Island and Bird Island – more than 40,000 acres.
Will you join Sam? To learn more, email Camilla@coastallandtrust.org.