One of my heartfelt goals for The Crest in 2026 emerged from a wonderful check-in conversation with Suzanne Willow, beside the wood stove in the studio in her house at the ranch this week, as we shared bowls of warm butternut squash soup and fresh bread from Mix: let’s co-create ways for The Crest to play a much larger role in the stewardship of Willow-Witt Ranch. 
 
We recently observed the third anniversary of the December 15th passing of Lanita Carol Witt, Suzanne’s wife of 40 years.  We both shed a few gentle tears of gratitude, as we reflected on how we could best honor Lanita’s legacy. This time is personally poignant for me, too, because it is also simultaneously the anniversary of my older brother’s crib death in 1939 (before I was born), my father’s passing in 1971, and my mother’s passing in 2001. It’s also the anniversary of my beginning as Executive Director at The Crest, last year! So it’s a bittersweet time — remembering the past flows gently into our bright future. 

Grief is a part of living without someone’s physical presence, and for some of us at The Crest, like me, grief involves having never had the opportunity to meet Lanita in person. Gratitude holds the hand of grief. We are grateful for the legacy Lanita left behind and the continued vision that she and Suzanne so boldly and wholeheartedly set into motion. The challenges of a working ranch with land conservation as a core mission are real. The rewards are also real, like the ability to open the ranch to so many children, families, and friends, throughout the seasons!
 
The Crest currently leases the use of the facilities at the ranch. While that’s a starting point, it has always been the vision and intention for The Crest to be not just a renter, but a co-steward of everything the ranch represents.  This coming year, I’m envisioning the collaboration between The Crest and the ranch continuing, as we cultivate the shared identity that inspires significant support, from a Circle of Stewards, who cherish Lanita and Suzanne’s legacy, the land, the natural and human heritage, the kids, and the TURTLES!!
 
The total for our year-end pledges currently stands at $82,158.50, which I find very inspiring, since our stretch goal in this difficult year was $25,000!
 
Special Solstice thanks to each of you, for your unique and significant contributions, monetary and otherwise, throughout 2025: When we count children, families, schools, school districts, and kindred organizations, the vision, expertise, heart, and soul of The Crest continue to inspire not just the 1,247 students, who came to Crest events at the ranch in person this year, but also literally tens of thousand of constituents throughout the Rogue Valley and beyond! 
 
In addition to our deep and abiding gratitude to Lanita and Suzanne, additional thanks are are due to our amazing, world-class Education Director, Liz Bianco, for her deeply inspiring dedication to loving each and every one of the hundreds and hundreds of children, who emerged, starry-eyed and filled with wonder, from bus, after bus, after yet another bus, to explore the privilege of a few hours with the goats, chickens, turtles, and trees. And to Liz’s careful and creative support of our Community Engagement Coordinator, Madi, whose collaborations with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Vesper Meadow, ScienceWorks, B.A.S.E., Coalición Fortaleza, LINC, and on and on reached thousands! And to our stalwart Operations Manager Regina, without whom naught! And to the combined staffs of the Ranch and the Burial Ground for their stamina and warm welcomes!  And to YOU our supporters and friends, who are the essence of why we do what we do.
 
As the light returns to the world at this Solsticetide, please take a moment to appreciate what your support has made possible and the bright future ahead!
 
With deep gratitude and best wishes for a wonderful 2026!!
 
Paul Sheldon
Executive Director
The Crest