2025 Annual Report

2025 was one of the toughest years of my 20-year career in nonprofit leadership. The year kicked off with grants frozen, unfrozen, refrozen, and—in some cases—canceled. Our federal agency partners faced transitions and staffing uncertainty. Simultaneously, one of our most anticipated projects, the Shenandoah Rail Trail, faced major, disappointing hurdles at the state level that threatened the economic promise of this 49-mile trail.

But here’s the thing: We created Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley specifically so that a resilient backbone for conservation would exist for just this kind of moment.

If 2025 was a test, it was also a proof of concept. Our deep-rooted relationships kept vital projects moving in creative ways. When funding was at its most uncertain last spring, community members like you stepped up to ensure we didn’t miss a beat.

And we kept going.

Supporting Working Lands: We helped farmers navigate shifting landscapes and logistical hurdles to finalize ongoing conservation projects and start new ones that support clean water and productive fields.

Expanding Our Reach: We onboarded Joe Moore as our new Augusta County Coordinator and hosted our very first Shenandoah Valley Conservation Fellow, Annie Kate Walsh.

Planning for the Future: We tracked along with comprehensive plans in four localities, advocating for development that honors and protects our abundant and iconic natural resources.

Advocating for Smart Solutions: We served as a persistent, data-driven voice for I-81, ensuring that proposed improvements are an effective and fiscally responsible use of limited public resources.

Thanks to the community members and foundations that share our vision, we met our fundraising goals and ended the year without a deficit.

This success is a testament to the trust and collaboration you have helped us build in the community since our creation in 2018. That trust starts at the top, and I am profoundly grateful for the fearless leadership of our Board Chair, Carolyn Long, and the entire Board, whose tenacity was our anchor throughout this challenging year. It has paid off.

There are big challenges facing our region. But, I am more inspired than ever by the future of the Alliance and the critical work we have ahead of us.