Photo: Jay Mather.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

The Deschutes Land Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have given an enormous amount of time and energy to the Land Trust over the years.

Questions? Contact our team!

Do you have questions, kudos, or other feedback? Let us know: info@deschuteslandtrust.org

The Deschutes Land Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have given an enormous amount of time and energy to the Land Trust over the years. The Land Trust began this award in 2009 to honor two long-time volunteers who had been with us since our founding in 1995. Since then, we've been pleased to present this award to several other individuals. Our Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:


2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Edgerton has been a Land Trust member and volunteer since 2003. A retired biologist and research ecologist, he possesses a staggering wealth of information about all things “nature.” Over the years, Paul has dedicated his time as a hike leader, helping with Land Trust events and special projects, and as a consultant for stewardship of our Preserves. To walk with Paul through the woods is to participate in an adventure, a journey full of wonderful stories and musings, and to feel like you’re really opening your eyes, your heart, and your mind to everything around you. The Land Trust has been extremely fortunate to have Paul as a volunteer for so many years and that is why we chose to recognize him with our 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks Paul!


2011 Lifetime Achievement Award

Byron Dudley has been photographing the Land Trust’s protected lands for more than 10 years. As one of our first volunteer photographers, his amazing work helped tell the story of some of our earliest projects—Alder Springs, Camp Polk Meadow and the Metolius Preserve. Ten years later we’ve hiked Byron through forest, desert, and creek, and he is still willing and ready to get out and capture the next new project or recast our first in new light. We are forever indebted to Byron for contributing such amazing photos of our special places, and we are pleased to present him the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks Byron!

 

2009 Lifetime Achievement Award

Norma Funai has been a Land Trust member and volunteer since 1997. A lifelong educator with a passion for nature, Norma started the Land Trust’s tour program in 1999 to share this love with others. Whether she is birding in Indian Ford Meadow or showing off wildflowers at Camp Polk, Norma’s tours are always enlightening and enjoyable. For more than ten years she has helped hundreds of people explore and enjoy Land Trust protected properties. In addition to her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Land Trust, Norma was also recognized in 2009 when she was awarded an Oregon Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to the Land Trust. Thanks Norma!

 

2009 Lifetime Achievement Award

Martin Winch has been an integral part of the Land Trust since our founding in 1995. When the Land Trust acquired Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, Martin immediately "adopted" the property, helping restore and maintain its ecology and history. Over the years, Martin has pulled weeds (he single-handedly removed much of the knapweed at Camp Polk!), built wildlife-friendly fencing, planted willows, and even researched the deep history of the meadow, which resulted in a book: Biography of a Place. To honor Martin's dedication to the Land Trust, we gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award and named a part of Camp Polk Meadow "Martin's Meadow" after him. Thanks Martin!