A Letter from Lily

Dear friends,

Since starting my new role as MALT’s executive director in August of last year, I have committed myself to listening to as many members of our community as possible. I’m so grateful for the warm welcomes, long conversations around kitchen tables, and intimate tours of our working landscapes and family ranches. This is a community like no other.

As part of this listening tour, I was fortunate enough to sit and spend time with Phyllis Faber last fall. I will forever find inspiration in her energy, commitment and compassion for this community and place. I think we can all find inspiration in how two women of different backgrounds saw the value of protecting agricultural lands — to preserve a biodiverse landscape, a local economy, and way of life — and brought a community together to act. We will be forever grateful.

Building on the legacy of our founders, we are excited to embark on the next chapter of our work. We will be organizing our efforts around five key pillars, focusing on preserving agriculture, protecting biodiversity, building climate resilience, connecting our community, and strengthening the organization. While these pillars have been fundamental for much of our impact to date, there’s never been a more important time for our organization to thrive and now is the time to double down.

Phyllis and Ellen’s legacy will forever be memorialized in the working landscapes of Marin County. A legacy that was built on hard work, uncompromising values, and a commitment to our collective future. Of course, their vision would not be possible without your continued support.

Thank you for your steadfast belief in our shared vision and stay tuned for more good news from MALT.

Onwards,

Lily Verdone, Executive Director