A Letter from the President
Dear Supporters, Partners, and Friends,
After nearly a decade serving as President of Sustainable Northwest, I have announced my retirement to pursue new activities and passions suitable for my age. My time with Sustainable Northwest has been incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable, working with our talented and committed staff, distinguished Board, and committed partners to advance our mission supporting natural resource solutions that benefit nature, people, and local economies.
When I first joined Sustainable Northwest, I was inspired by the organization's commitment to finding innovative solutions that balance environmental, economic, and social interests. Now, as then, I remain convinced that our work can help our region rediscover a shared purpose and common values as an antidote to political polarization and division.
Building on a strong foundation of success and trust, SNW has successfully amplified our impact and influence during my tenure, including quadrupling our budget and tripling our staff size. Some of our team accomplishments include:
Advancing Klamath dam removal through regulatory hurdles when Congress would not act, paving the way for the world’s largest dam removal and river restoration project.
Launching the largest regenerative ranching program in the West.
Sourcing and tracking all of the wood for the new Portland Airport rebuild from sustainably managed, Tribal- and family-owned forests in the PNW.
Creating innovative programs and securing significant federal funding to help reduce wildfire risk, prepare communities for wildfire, and help landowners recover after wildfire.
Launching a unique new program to develop community-led energy projects in rural Oregon.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work and passion of our team, board members, volunteers, donors, and partners.
I am confident that Sustainable Northwest will continue to thrive under new leadership and our talented staff. The organization is well-positioned to build upon our successes and tackle the challenges that lie ahead with the same spirit of innovation and collaboration that has defined us to date.
While I may be retiring this winter from my role as President, my commitment to advancing conservation and economic goals will continue. I look forward to supporting Sustainable Northwest (and our needy Labradoodle) in whatever capacity I can while continuing to celebrate the positive impact SNW will undoubtedly continue to have on our region.
We are launching a search for a new president, and you can find the job announcement on our careers page. Please share it widely to help us recruit a large, diverse applicant pool.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President of Sustainable Northwest. I am honored to work alongside such dedicated individuals who share a common vision for building a better future in the Pacific Northwest.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Greg Block
President
