This new presidential term brings shifts in federal policies that will shape climate action, conservation, public lands, and Indigenous rights across the country. Among the first wave of executive actions are mass federal layoffs and restructuring—changes that will have ripple effects across agencies responsible for environmental protections, Tribal programs, and conservation funding.
This administration’s cuts are hitting rural Oregon particularly hard. Many of our members and partners rely on wildfire prevention funding, farm support programs, and infrastructure grants—many of which have been severely reduced. In recent months, thousands of federal workers, including Forest Service crews, Veterans Affairs staff, BLM managers, and agency scientists, have lost their jobs. As funding shifts and protections are reevaluated, climate action and conservation efforts—especially those centered on Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous land return—face mounting challenges.
At the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT), we know that conservation has always been a long game, rooted in care, collaboration, and perseverance. While policy landscapes may shift, our values remain constant: protecting land, honoring Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge, and building community-driven systems of stewardship that last for generations. As the saying goes:
“A society grows great when we plant trees whose shade we know we shall never sit in.”
Now is the time to remain steady, thoughtful, and committed to our shared values.
In times of chaos, our strength is measured not just by our actions, but our ability to pause, reflect, and respond with purpose. We encourage our community to take the time needed to assess these changes, respond thoughtfully, and keep moving forward—steadily and with purpose.
Rest and reflection are just as vital as action in sustaining the work ahead.
Federal funding uncertainties underscore the need for solidarity within the conservation community. No matter who is in office, COLT remains steadfast in our mission to support Oregon’s land trusts, advance conservation efforts, and advocate for Indigenous land reclamation.
How We Push Forward
This moment calls for unity, resilience, and a deep commitment to conservation. While uncertainties lie ahead, we know that lasting change happens through collaboration and perseverance. We do this through:
- Advocacy: We will continue advocating for land trusts and conservation priorities at both state and federal levels.
- Community Support: We will continue to strengthen Oregon’s land trust network by providing legal resources, funding assistance, communications support, and technical support.
- Coalition Strength: We will continue to build partnerships and unify Oregonians around the shared goal of protecting land and water.
- Funding: We will expand efforts to secure resources that help offset federal funding losses and create new opportunities for conservation for our members.
- Inclusion and Equity: COLT acknowledges the historical inequities in the conservation movement and remains committed to uplifting Indigenous voices, supporting BIPOC leadership, and creating space for all communities to engage in land stewardship.
COLT remains dedicated to protecting Oregon’s lands and waters for future generations, and we urge our community to stay engaged, support one another, and keep working toward a better future for Oregon’s land, water, and people.
Through the Oregon Land Justice Project, we will continue to stand alongside Indigenous communities and partners, resisting policies that threaten Tribal rights and environmental protections. Our commitment to land justice and land return guides our work. We will keep working to support Indigenous land access, strengthen Tribal sovereignty, and uphold conservation policies that honor First Foods and cultural connections to the land.
Be Part of our Movement
Oregon’s land trusts are working hard to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all—and to support Tribal and Indigenous communities in reclaiming their relationships to land. But this work is only possible with community support.
Here’s how you can be part of our movement:
- Support your local land trust —Show your support through a donation, volunteering, or advocating for policies that protect the places you love. Local action strengthens the movement from the ground up.
- Stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities by supporting land return efforts and uplifting Tribal leadership in land stewardship. You can start by supporting our Oregon Land Justice Project or donating to the Indigenous Land Relationship Fund.
- Stay informed and engaged with how federal policies impact conservation and Indigenous land rights in Oregon. Subscribe to our biweekly “News from the Field” and sign up for action alerts to follow COLT’s work and opportunities to take action. Our partners at the Land Trust Alliance also have a number of information and resources for anyone who wants to say in the loop.
- Care for the land—and for each other. Long-lasting change begins in our own backyards. Whether it’s tending to a community garden, showing up for your friends and neighbors, or taking time to rest, these small acts of care are essential to sustaining the work ahead.
We also encourage you to support both our members and associate members—organizations working at the intersections of conservation, land justice, and community care—many of whom rely on grassroots support to sustain their work.
A donation is one of the fastest ways to make an impact—but there are countless ways to get involved. We’ve put together a list of 10 ways to support land trusts and communities across Oregon—helping to ensure the Oregon you love is here for generations to come
