OLT: History & Highlights

1970–1990: Community roots

Concerned about loss of wildlife habitat, local hunters and outdoor enthusiasts formed the North Okanogan Sportsmen’s Council, gaining nonprofit status and funding hands-on conservation work through grassroots efforts.

2001: Becoming a land trust

Inspired by the promise of conservation easements, the group revised its bylaws to form the Okanogan Valley Land Council (OVLC)—a land trust dedicated to voluntary, private-land conservation.

2003: First easement

OVLC completed its first conservation easement, beginning a steady expansion of conserved acres across the region.

2011: New name

The organization was renamed as Okanogan Land Trust, reflecting a broader reach and targeted purpose.

2015: New location

Previously based in Tonasket, OLT moved its office to Okanogan in 2015.

2020: A decade of steady growth

29 conserved properties totaling more than 10,000 acres under easement.

2022: 20 years of conservation

14,164 acres permanently protected, with 5,000+ additional acres in active projects. Goal set: 20,000 acres by 2027. Milestone: National accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance. Milestone-First OLT Owned Property: Loup Loup Creek parcel. 

Today: Milestones coming into view

18,455 acres conserved across 35 properties—more than 4,200 acres added in the past two years as we continue community-led conservation across the region.

That growth puts us within two thousand acres of reaching our 20,000-acre goal well before 2027.