Sometimes we as Staff Members of the Land Trust start thinking that we are the Land Trust, when in realty this great effort requires the work of many, many people:

• our volunteer Board of Directors who provide the direction
• our many supportive members and donors who keep the wheels turning
• the many other agency and organizational partners with whom we work to conserve natural resources in the Upper Snake River Valley
• and the many landowners whose thoughtful efforts to conserve land make all our work possible

The Teton Regional Land Trust staff periodically, not necessarily annually, honor individuals who represent the Heart and Soul of the Teton Regional Land Trust. Our first ever Heart and Soul Award was presented to Albert and Chris Tilt of Tetonia in 2001. Albert and Chris have been an integral part of the Land Trust all the way from the beginning in 1990. Albert was there in Little Max’s Café in Tetonia when the first board was formed. Chris hosted the first ever TRLT Annual Meeting the following winter at the Ridge Ranch, and several of our early Land Trust Annual Picnics. Albert was a Board Member throughout the life of the Trust until December 2005, including a stint as Board President from 1993-96, literally TRLT’s Heart and Soul for all those years.

2007 - Susan Lykes

The TRLT Staff presented the Albert and Chris Tilt Heart and Soul Award for 2007 to Susan Lykes. Susan joined the TRLT Board of Directors in September 1996, and served as the Trust’s 3rd Board President beginning a year later. Susan served yet again in this demanding role as our 6th Board President. Over the years Susan has contributed greatly in helping the Land Trust grow in stature as a public charity through recruitment of highly qualified Board members, organizational governance, and development of policies that add professionalism to our organization. Susan also serves on the Board of the national Land Trust Alliance, and helps keep TRLT in the forefront of America’s regional Land Trusts. Susan, we appreciate your leadership and commitment to land conservation and the Teton Regional Land Trust.

2006 - Connie Mohr

The TRLT Staff presented the Albert and Chris Tilt Heart and Soul Award for 2006 to Connie Mohr. Connie has served on the TRLT Board of Directors since August 2003, and currently serves as Board Secretary. She has taken on the daunting task of organizing the Taste of the Tetons for the past two years, logging many donated hours. Connie and Dean Scofield donated a conservation easement on the Hollingshead Homestead, a historic property now on the national register. She also has hosted Stories from the Land, an evening of celebrating our natural heritage, on the scenic homestead. She is partnering with the Land Trust to restore a historic cabin on the homestead.

2005 - Clen and Emma Atchley

The TRLT Staff were pleased to present the Albert and Chris Tilt Heart and Soul Award for 2005 to Clen and Emma Atchley. Clen served on the TRLT Board of Directors from June 1997 - October 2006, and as President for several years. Clen earlier served on the Board of Fremont Heritage Trust, and helped with the merger of Fremont with TRLT in 1997. Clen and Emma are leaders in the agricultural community, and have contributed greatly to TRLT’s advances in farm and ranch land protection. Clen also serves on the Intermountain West Joint Venture Board, to promote wetland conservation throughout the West. Clen and Emma are conservation easement donors, and have contributed greatly to the Land Trust’s progress, particularly in Fremont County.

2002 - Ron Rope

Teton Regional Board Member, Ron Rope, was the 2002 recipient of the TRLT Heart and Soul Award. Ron has been tremendously helpful gathering data and compiling map for the Land Trust. His expertise in map making helps us effectively communicate our mission and prioritize areas for protection. We are all very grateful to him for sharing his talent, and giving of his time.