Change is constant. Sometimes it feels glacial, and other times it’s warp speed. But it’s always happening. We have spent the last few months reflecting on our accomplishments in 2024 to share with donors and supporters like you.

#1 - Welcoming the salmon home.

Sustainable Northwest has been engaged in the Upper Klamath Basin for decades. We found and advanced the legal mechanisms needed for dam removal when Congress would not act. We are collaborating with farmers and ranchers to stay in business, save water, implement regenerative ranching practices, and restore the basin. And salmon are responding.

“Salmon are surprisingly resilient,” said Lee Lane Rahr, vice president of Sustainable Northwest. “Given half the chance, they will find a way to survive and thrive. Dam removal gave them this chance, and everyone who has worked to restore salmon to the Upper Klamath Basin is celebrating – Tribes, agencies, nonprofits, anglers, rafters, ranchers, and more.”

#2 - Transforming the wood products industry

How do you transform an industry? There are many possible approaches. Ours is to work within the timber and wood products industries to encourage transparency, and let consumers decide. Our theory of change is that this will lead to healthier forests and steady, local jobs. The Portland International Airport’s new main terminal, which opened on August 14, 2024, we see that this kind of transparent, local wood sourcing is possible and affordable – even for very large projects. Download our 2024 Accomplishments to learn all about this unique work.

#3 - Addressing the wildfire crisis

The West is experiencing a wildfire crisis.

The crisis is acute in Oregon, where 1.93 million acres burned in 2024 – a new record.

All Pacific Northwest forests evolved with some level of fire – frequent in dry forests and infrequent in wet forests. So what’s different now? Find out in our 2024 Accomplishments, where you’ll also learn more about the largest forest restoration project in Washington state history, led in part by Sustainable Northwest.

#4 - Ranching in harmony with nature

In 2023, we launched the largest regenerative ranching program in the West. In 2024, we completed monitoring assessments for the ranches in our program. Next we will finish co-developing management plans with each rancher to identify where and how to best improve soil health, plant diversity, water quality, and more. After five years, we will return to each ranch to do another measurement and see what the data says.

#5 - Transforming rural energy systems

Sometimes our approach is to fix the mistakes of the past. Other times, we work to reduce future harm. That’s where our clean energy work comes in. In 2024, we laid the groundwork for an ambitious plan to build community microgrids in Oregon, which will allow rural communities to plan their own energy futures and be resilient to natural disasters and increasing power costs.

Click here to read about all of our 2024 Accomplishments

Committed to rural communities

No matter the challenges thrown our way — economic downturns, changes in policy, global market disruptions, and more — Sustainable Northwest is driven by a commitment to positive change and a deep respect for the rural communities, Tribes, farmers, ranchers and foresters that make the Northwest the unique place we call home.

We are combating the wildfire crisis and reducing risks to people, communities, and our region’s renowned landscapes. We are working to keep the people who produce the food we eat and the wood we use in business. We are fighting for new ways to build affordable, reliable, and local clean energy projects.

This approach is authentic, nonpartisan, and most importantly, it works.

DONATE HERE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK