by Claire Johnston
Whatcom Land Trust (the Trust) has been preserving, protecting and restoring wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations for more than four decades. In January, the Trust welcomed a new Executive Director, Rachel Vasak.
Having served as the Executive Director of the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) for the past 16 years, Vasak brings a depth of experience in team building and leadership, strategic planning, advocacy and community engagement. She holds a Masters in Public Administration specializing in nonprofit leadership. Vasak has also served as a board member for Washington’s Regional Fisheries Coalition, supporting statewide salmon recovery, for the past 14 years.
“I am so excited to welcome Rachel to Whatcom Land Trust,” said Board President Hall Walker. “With her incredible nonprofit leadership experience, demonstrated success in building partnerships and long-term relationships, and personal commitment to our mission, she is the ideal leader for our organization.”
This transition is also a win for the Whatcom County community, as NSEA and the Trust have been partners in restoration for decades. Vasak’s firsthand knowledge of the value of land, rivers, salmon and the benefits of local conservation will continue to make Whatcom County a wonderful place to live.
“I am excited to bring my love of conservation, protection and restoration to the Whatcom Land Trust,” said Vasak. “It is important to me to share my skills and passion with a mission that I care about and that aligns with my personal values. I’ll have the privilege of helping grow the Whatcom Land Trust staff and Board to protect, conserve and steward important parts of the landscape.”
Read more here:
https://whatcomlandtrust.org/an-interviewwith-new-executive-directorrachel-vasak/
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Claire Johnston serves as Whatcom Land Trust’s Communications Director, where she helps engage and grow a conservation-minded community in Whatcom County. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington and is currently a Master’s degree candidate in Environmental Studies at Western Washington University. When Claire is out of office, you can almost always find her on a trail accompanied by her dog, Chowder.
