An Interview with New Executive Director Rachel Vasak
Sit down with a cup of coffee and get to know our new Executive Director, Rachel Vasak! During Rachel’s first week on the job, she and Communications Director Claire Johnston sat down for a magazine-style interview. Keep reading to learn about Rachel’s hopes, passions, and lifelong connection to Whatcom Land Trust’s mission.
Rachel, who has served as the Executive Director for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) for the past 16 years, 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. Rachel has also served as a Board member for Washington’s Regional Fisheries Coalition, supporting statewide salmon recovery, for the last 14 years.

Claire Johnston (CJ):

What’s your favorite work party memory?

Rachel Vasak (RV):

In 2009, when I was a brand new Executive Director at NSEA and my son was just a toddler, we had a work party at the Land Trust’s Catalyst property, which is right at the center of the spring Chinook recovery efforts in the South Fork. NSEA partnered with the Land Trust to purchase the property and remove a 1,800-foot-long culvert (a pipe that forced the creek underground) which had been a complete barrier to fish passage for decades. I remember surveying that property as a college student in 1998 and seeing thousands of juvenile fish stuck below this culvert – upstream of the culvert, there were no fish at all. 

The Land Trust and NSEA did an incredible amount of restoration work together, including daylighting the creek (removing the culvert and bringing the creek back to its natural state) and we immediately saw fish return to the area. Watching the fish finally swim through the restored creek was a core moment of recognition in my life and career – Recognizing the impact long-term restoration projects like this have on our waters, lands, and community. I had my son with me, and he was busy digging for worms in the holes we had made for planting native trees. It was just this magical full-circle day, witnessing the creek change forever and my child fall in love with my life calling. 

CJ

What’s your favorite Whatcom Land Trust property? And tell us the story of why! 

RV:

Oh, I have so many favorite Land Trust properties for different reasons. One property is our favorite family trail – the Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve trail –  That’s the first hike that our toddler son did. He’s 17 now, and it’s still our favorite family walk, especially when we have visitors from out of town. The place is absolutely magical, and it’s so accessible. 

But I mean, truly, every property I’ve been out to – I fall in love with. I just visited Lily Point Marine Park in Point Roberts for the first time, so that is pretty high on my list now. It’s well worth the drive!

CJ:

What role does community collaboration play in your approach to conservation? 

RV:

Partnership and collaboration is everything. The work that we are trying to do in Whatcom County is too great for any organization or entity to do on their own, and that’s why it’s so important that various types of government –  Tribes, County, City, State, Federal Government – are all working together, and organizations like the Land Trust, NSEA, the Conservation District, and so many more, are all working collaboratively. The sum is greater than the parts.

CJ:

What excites you the most about leading Whatcom Land Trust?

RV:

The mission of Whatcom Land Trust, to preserve and protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open spaces, is something that speaks to me, personally. While my background is working in salmon recovery, which is one of the facets of the mission, I also really enjoy using open spaces, walking trails, and exploring wilderness areas. Whatcom Land Trust has conserved so many remarkable Parks where you can interact with protected landscapes all over Whatcom County. I cherish these places and want to ensure continued opportunities for others to experience them. 

Another facet I connect with is protecting Whatcom County’s incredibly rich agricultural landscape. As a farmer’s daughter, I grew up on farms and witnessed the importance of being able to grow or raise food for our community. Some of our farmers are heading towards retirement and don’t have family members taking over the farm, so they might need to sell these properties. If these agricultural lands are sold into development, we lose our ability to feed ourselves. By putting conservation easements on those properties and compensating the farmers so they can afford to retire, we can conserve those agricultural lands forever, giving us a greater chance of feeding future generations from food produced here in Whatcom County. 

CJ:

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

RV:

In my free time, I love being in the mountains, whether it is skiing or snowboarding or hiking or climbing. I volunteer at the Mount Baker ski area to teach avalanche education classes. I also really enjoy getting out onto the salt water, into the islands, and exploring the beaches in this incredible landscape. 

We also spend a lot of time watching our son play baseball – He’s a junior in high school. We live outside of Ferndale where we raise Icelandic sheep and a few other farm animals, so we spend a lot of time gardening and taking care of our animals. We try to raise as much of the food that our family eats as we can.

CJ:

How are you feeling after your first week of work?

RV:

I’m feeling really excited to learn and do what I can to support the Land Trust, build on the good work that’s been done over the last 40 years, and help set the stage to bring the Land Trust forward into the next 40 years. I’m super impressed with the staff and board, and I’m excited to join this team and do what I can to provide support and leadership.

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