A Message of Gratitude from HAT’s Executive Director, Kevin Smith
Dear HAT community,
It is no secret that we are living through a time of collective uncertainty. Between shifting economic pressures, stretched household budgets, and the fast-paced and often exhausting headlines of the world around us, daily life carries a heavier weight for many right now.
That is why we wanted to take a moment to say something simple, yet deeply felt: thank you.
When times get lean, community support becomes the ultimate bedrock for a local land trust like HAT. Your donations, membership renewals, and volunteer hours have quite literally buoyed our team over the past year. Because of your steady commitment, HAT hasn’t just stayed afloat—we have been able to show up consistently. Your generosity is directly funding our field crew as they restore delicate coastal oak meadows, support local species at risk, and monitor vital ecosystems across the South Island and surrounding Gulf Islands.
As an organization, HAT continues to grow and evolve. We are learning how to walk forward in relationship with regional Host Nations, working together toward collaborative, trust-based land stewardship and Indigenous-led conservation frameworks. It is incredibly inspiring work, but it requires patience, capacity, and sustained resources.
If you are in a position to do so, we humbly ask for your continued financial support—whether through a one-time gift, a legacy gift, a monthly donation, or by maintaining your HAT membership. Every dollar is managed with immense care to ensure it directly protects the long-term health, biodiversity, and climate resilience of the Salish Sea region we all call home and cherish deeply.
Whether you can give financially right now or are supporting us by sharing our updates and caring for your own local spaces (we love our Habitat Stewards!), please know how much you matter to all of us at HAT. We are incredibly grateful to be walking this path with you.
With deep gratitude,
Kevin and the entire HAT Team