News from Britt Hill – December 2022/January 2023
With the winter solstice and our many beautiful midwinter holidays approaching, it’s a quiet time on the Britt hill. We take this time to think about the park. These winter months are essential for reviving our lovely lawn, taking on facilities projects, and dreaming of the future.
I believe stewarding the Britt park, and ensuring that it thrives for generations to come, are among the most important functions we serve. As I’ve mentioned before, Britt is responsible for the park 365 days a year, and we take our jobs very seriously. Stewardship of the land means thinking about what to plant to be mindful of water consumption, how to reduce our impact on the environment with single-use plastics, and how we can serve as a change agent for other festivals up and down the west coast (and beyond).
Right now, we’re exploring things like reusable aluminum cups for concessions, installing solar panels on our buildings, and increasing our native plant gardens throughout the park. There are plenty of ideas swirling, and I hope you’ll email me with your own. As we map out our next strategic plan, “greening” the venue will be one of our focus areas. Our hill is a beautiful and magical place, and we’re committed to making it even better in the coming years.
Of course, this can’t happen without someone taking a leading role, and I’m thrilled that Christopher Shockey (our beloved House Manager/Volunteer Coordinator and a fixture in the Applegate and Jacksonville community) has stepped into the position of Chief Operating Officer beginning December 1. He brings thoughtfulness and passion to this project and others, and I know that his work will help Britt flourish. He’ll be working with Facilities Manager Caleb Landis and the rest of our team to bring this green vision to life.
Finally, a humble suggestion for all your gift-giving this season: Britt gift cards or memberships make incredible “experience gifts” for family and friends. In these darkest months of the year, a gift of future experiences at Britt is an awesome reminder that the sun and warmth will be back. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t remind you that December is one of the most important months of the year for nonprofits. Your membership or donation in December is a great way to maximize your tax deduction for the year, and it makes a huge difference to us. We appreciate your support, as ever.
See you in 2023, and happy holidays!
Warmly, Abby