A carrot and lavender sprigs form a circular frame around the words "UNITED in CONSERVATION," with water splashes in the foreground.

The Conservation Connection

**Context Profile for The Conservation Connection**

1. **Organization Mission & Cause:**
   - **Mission:** The Conservation Connection is dedicated to fostering sustainable environmental practices and promoting conservation efforts within the community. Their primary focus is on educating the public about the importance of natural resource conservation and implementing projects that enhance local ecosystems.
   - **Cause:** The organization aims to connect people with nature, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural habitats and biodiversity for future generations.

2. **Type of Activities:**
   - **Community Programs:** The Conservation Connection organizes educational workshops and seminars to raise awareness about conservation practices.
   - **Environmental Projects:** They initiate and support local projects aimed at habitat restoration, water conservation, and sustainable land use.
   - **Volunteer Opportunities:** The organization actively engages volunteers in hands-on conservation activities such as tree planting and clean-up drives.

3. **Tone of Voice:**
   - **Professional and Educational:** The website content is primarily formal and informative, focusing on educating the audience about conservation issues.
   - **Inspiring and Community-Oriented:** There is an emphasis on inspiring community action and fostering a sense of collective responsibility towards the environment.

4. **Emoji Usage:**
   - **Minimal Emoji Usage:** The organization maintains a professional tone on their website, with little to no use of emojis in their communications.

5. **Key Facts:**
   - **Founding Info:** The Conservation Connection is a newly established organization, with a focus on local community engagement and environmental education.
   - **Scale and Impact:** As a new entity, the organization is in the early stages of developing its programs and measuring its impact.
   - **Volunteer Info:** The organization encourages community involvement through volunteer opportunities, which are integral to their conservation projects.

6. **Writing Guidelines:**
   - **Educational Focus:** Content should be informative and aim to educate the audience about conservation topics.
   - **Community Engagement:** Emphasize the importance of community involvement and collective action in conservation efforts.
   - **Professional Tone:** Maintain a formal and respectful tone, suitable for an organization focused on scientific and environmental issues.
   - **Clarity and Precision:** Ensure that all communications are clear, precise, and free of jargon to be accessible to a broad audience.

This context profile should guide AI assistants in generating content that aligns with The Conservation Connection's mission and communication style, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in their outreach efforts.

Conference Admission

LXCL:Volunteer at the conference and receive a reduced rate ticket.

Volunteer Ticket

LXCL:Purchase a need-based conference ticket for another individual.

Need-based Conference Admission

LXCL:Donate additional funds to support Thurston Conservation District's future Conservation &amp; Education Center. Learn more here: <a href="https://thurstoncd.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="lxcl-link" dir="ltr">https://thurstoncd.com/about-us/</a>

Donate to Support TCD's Conservation & Education Center

Check made out to [Thurston Conservation District]
Address to send check: [582 Tilley Court SE, Suite 152, Tumwater, WA 98501]

Join the Thurston Conservation District October 2nd for our biennial local conference, United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate&nbsp;. This day-long conference will explore how local agriculture can adapt and build resilience in the face of a changing climate. The event combines classroom presentations with practical, field-based learning for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, local leaders, policy makers, and anyone interested in local food systems, conservation, and climate adaptation. Friday, October 2nd Lacey Community Center Schedule8:30&ndash;9:00 a.m. &ndash; Check-in, coffee + pastries, and networking9:15&ndash;9:45 a.m. &ndash; Welcome and opening keynote by Willie Frank Jr (Nisqually Indian Tribe)10:00&ndash;11:50 a.m. &ndash; Morning breakout session<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Breakout Session 1:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Habitat Conservation: Assisted Migration of Wildlife and the Nexus with Farmland Preservation</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farmer Support: Conservation Grazing Internationally</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Agricultural Innovations: Wool Mulch and Plastics Reduction</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Breakout Session 2:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Habitat Conservation: Managing Forests for Bat and Wildlife Habitat</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">&nbsp;Farmer Support: Farmer Mental Health and Climate Impacts&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Agricultural Innovations: Utilizing Dry Farming Practices in an Uncertain Climate</li></ul></li></ul>12:00&ndash;1:30 p.m. &ndash; Lunch and Resource Fair featuring 15+ local organizations and service providers. Local food trucks will be parked at the Community Center, and other lunch offerings are close by!2:00&ndash;4:00 p.m. -&nbsp;Field-sessions (Each ticket holder will be asked to select one afternoon field session - space is limited). Attendees will transport themselves to the field session. Limited transportation assistance available.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Flower Farming in all Seasons, Centralia, WA:&nbsp;Learn from local flower farmer and florist, Betsy Levy about her flower farming production methods, including how they grow flowers and generate income throughout the year. Gain hands-on knowledge of heirloom chrysanthemum production, drying flowers for year-round sales, and growing flowers in a high tunnel to extend the growing season.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Biochar &amp; Alternative Forest Products, Lacey, WA:&nbsp;Join this field session to learn how biochar, agroforestry, and alternative forest products can enhance the health, productivity, and resilience of working lands. Hear from forester Margret Kreeder, Mason Conservation District, and land managers Mark and Kim Connor about practical applications of biochar, integrating trees into agricultural systems, and opportunities to diversify farm and forest income through alternative forest products. Participants will gain insights into these innovative land management practices and the ecological and economic benefits they provide.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farmer Support: Farmland Preservation in Action, Tumwater, WA:&nbsp;Visit Little Big Farm to learn about successful farm succession planning. Hear from farmers who initially leased land through TCD&rsquo;s South Sound FarmLink program and later negotiated the purchase of the farmland they now own and actively farm. They will share how this succession planning model created a pathway to land ownership, supported the long-term viability of their farm, and helped preserve productive farmland while continuing to provide fresh, locally grown food for the community.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ag Innovations: Demonstration of Electric Farm Equipment with E-Farms, Tumwater, WA: Get all your electric farm equipment questions answered with representatives from the non-profit, E-Farms. The E-Farms program tests electric farming equipment, compares it to traditional combustion models, and works to reduce barriers to electrifying working lands. Learn about their lending program that includes electric tractors, pickup trucks, UTVs, and more.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Hedgerows for Healthy Farms, Tumwater, WA:&nbsp;Join this field session to learn how hedgerows can enhance the productivity, resilience, and ecological value of working lands. Hosted at Summit Farms, this session will include the opportunity to hear from conservation professionals and the landowners about designing, establishing, and managing native hedgerows to provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and support overall farm health. Participants will gain practical hands-on experience planting a hedgerow (tools provided), and gain insights into how hedgerows can be integrated into agricultural operations to benefit both the landscape and farm productivity.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farming with ESA Listed Species, Tumwater, WA:&nbsp;This session is designed for farmers and landowners who have or may have endangered species on their property and want to balance agricultural production with wildlife conservation. Participants will learn from nonregulatory staff with the Partners for Fish &amp; Wildlife Program and local conservation grazer Jake Yancey, Tracking Y Ranch, about practical strategies for farming alongside species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Oregon spotted frog. Topics will include conservation grazing practices that support endangered species, creating and maintaining habitat while keeping land in agricultural production, farm management approaches that benefit both agricultural operations and these important species, clarity around regulations and allowable practices, and examples of integrating conservation into working lands. The session focuses on real-world, nonregulatory approaches that help farmers protect sensitive species while maintaining productive farms.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Growing resilience in&nbsp;Community Gardens, Olympia, WA: TBD.</li></ul>&nbsp;Additional Information<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">This is the first portion of a two-day, three-event celebration of what&rsquo;s possible when we&rsquo;re United in Conservation. After Friday&rsquo;s conference, join us Saturday Oct. 3rd for our Annual Harvest Festival during the day, followed by a farm to table dinner held at Summit Farms to celebrate our Community Awards Recipients and raise funds for our developing Conservation and Education Center. Attendance at the Harvest Festival is free. A separate ticket is required for Saturday&#39;s dinner. Click here to find tickets for Saturday evening:</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please consider purchasing an additional conference ticket for a needs-based attendee.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Interested in volunteering at the conference? A limited number of reduced-price volunteer tickets are available. Volunteer roles may include the Saturday dinner event.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Attendees can join a waitlist for scholarship tickets if funding becomes available. Please contact Nora Carman-White to add your name to this list.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please consider providing an additional optional donation to support the development of TCD&#39;s Conservation &amp; Education Center.</li></ul>

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering to attend Thurston Conservation District&#39;s&nbsp;biennial local conference, United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate.&nbsp; If you have additional questions about our event or need additional information, please don&#39;t hesitate to reach out to our team at 360-754-3588 or tcdadmin@thurstoncd.com Thank you, Thurston Conservation District Team

Join the Thurston Conservation District October 2nd for our biennial local conference, United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate . This day-long conference will explore how local agriculture can adapt and build resilience in the face of a changing climate. The event combines classroom presentations with practical, field-based learning for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, local leaders, policy makers, and anyone interested in local food systems, conservation, and climate adaptation. Friday, October 2nd Lacey Community Center Schedule8:30–9:00 a.m. – Check-in, coffee + pastries, and networking9:15–9:45 a.m. – Welcome and opening keynote by Willie Frank Jr (Nisqually Indian Tribe)10:00–11:50 a.m. – Morning breakout session<ul><li>Breakout Session 1: <ul><li>Habitat Conservation: Assisted Migration of Wildlife and the Nexus with Farmland Preservation</li><li>Farmer Support: Conservation Grazing Internationally</li><li>Agricultural Innovations: Wool Mulch and Plastics Reduction</li></ul></li><li>Breakout Session 2: <ul><li>Habitat Conservation: Managing Forests for Bat and Wildlife Habitat</li><li> Farmer Support: Farmer Mental Health and Climate Impacts </li><li>Agricultural Innovations: Utilizing Dry Farming Practices in an Uncertain Climate</li></ul></li></ul>12:00–1:30 p.m. – Lunch and Resource Fair featuring 15+ local organizations and service providers. Local food trucks will be parked at the Community Center, and other lunch offerings are close by!2:00–4:00 p.m. - Field-sessions (Each ticket holder will be asked to select one afternoon field session - space is limited). Attendees will transport themselves to the field session. Limited transportation assistance available.<ul><li>Flower Farming in all Seasons, Centralia, WA: Learn from local flower farmer and florist, Betsy Levy about her flower farming production methods, including how they grow flowers and generate income throughout the year. Gain hands-on knowledge of heirloom chrysanthemum production, drying flowers for year-round sales, and growing flowers in a high tunnel to extend the growing season.</li><li>Biochar &amp; Alternative Forest Products, Lacey, WA: Join this field session to learn how biochar, agroforestry, and alternative forest products can enhance the health, productivity, and resilience of working lands. Hear from forester Margret Kreeder, Mason Conservation District, and land managers Mark and Kim Connor about practical applications of biochar, integrating trees into agricultural systems, and opportunities to diversify farm and forest income through alternative forest products. Participants will gain insights into these innovative land management practices and the ecological and economic benefits they provide.</li><li>Farmer Support: Farmland Preservation in Action, Tumwater, WA: Visit Little Big Farm to learn about successful farm succession planning. Hear from farmers who initially leased land through TCD’s South Sound FarmLink program and later negotiated the purchase of the farmland they now own and actively farm. They will share how this succession planning model created a pathway to land ownership, supported the long-term viability of their farm, and helped preserve productive farmland while continuing to provide fresh, locally grown food for the community.</li><li>Ag Innovations: Demonstration of Electric Farm Equipment with E-Farms, Tumwater, WA: Get all your electric farm equipment questions answered with representatives from the non-profit, E-Farms. The E-Farms program tests electric farming equipment, compares it to traditional combustion models, and works to reduce barriers to electrifying working lands. Learn about their lending program that includes electric tractors, pickup trucks, UTVs, and more.</li><li>Hedgerows for Healthy Farms, Tumwater, WA: Join this field session to learn how hedgerows can enhance the productivity, resilience, and ecological value of working lands. Hosted at Summit Farms, this session will include the opportunity to hear from conservation professionals and the landowners about designing, establishing, and managing native hedgerows to provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and support overall farm health. Participants will gain practical hands-on experience planting a hedgerow (tools provided), and gain insights into how hedgerows can be integrated into agricultural operations to benefit both the landscape and farm productivity.</li><li>Farming with ESA Listed Species, Tumwater, WA: This session is designed for farmers and landowners who have or may have endangered species on their property and want to balance agricultural production with wildlife conservation. Participants will learn from nonregulatory staff with the Partners for Fish &amp; Wildlife Program and local conservation grazer Jake Yancey, Tracking Y Ranch, about practical strategies for farming alongside species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Oregon spotted frog. Topics will include conservation grazing practices that support endangered species, creating and maintaining habitat while keeping land in agricultural production, farm management approaches that benefit both agricultural operations and these important species, clarity around regulations and allowable practices, and examples of integrating conservation into working lands. The session focuses on real-world, nonregulatory approaches that help farmers protect sensitive species while maintaining productive farms.</li><li>Growing resilience in Community Gardens, Olympia, WA: TBD.</li></ul> Additional Information<ul><li>This is the first portion of a two-day, three-event celebration of what’s possible when we’re United in Conservation. After Friday’s conference, join us Saturday Oct. 3rd for our Annual Harvest Festival during the day, followed by a farm to table dinner held at Summit Farms to celebrate our Community Awards Recipients and raise funds for our developing Conservation and Education Center. Attendance at the Harvest Festival is free. A separate ticket is required for Saturday's dinner. Click here to find tickets for Saturday evening:</li><li>Please consider purchasing an additional conference ticket for a needs-based attendee.</li><li>Interested in volunteering at the conference? A limited number of reduced-price volunteer tickets are available. Volunteer roles may include the Saturday dinner event.</li><li>Attendees can join a waitlist for scholarship tickets if funding becomes available. Please contact Nora Carman-White to add your name to this list.</li><li>Please consider providing an additional optional donation to support the development of TCD's Conservation &amp; Education Center.</li></ul>

The Conservation Connection

Conference - United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate

6729 Pacific Ave SE

Conference Admission

$75

Volunteer Ticket

$50

Need-based Conference Admission

$75

Donate to Support TCD's Conservation & Education Center