On October 3rd, Stewardship Partners hosted a riveting conversation between 
two leaders in environmental sustainability, Tom Alberg and Chris Bayley. Tom and Chris are long-time friends who grew up in the Seattle area, met while attending Harvard, and returned to the Northwest where they each founded organizations committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Tom Alberg is the founder of Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, and Chris Bayley is the founder and current Board Chair of Stewardship Partners. Originally a family farm that raised beef cows, Tom and his wife Judi converted Oxbow Farm into an education and conservation focused non-profit whose earliest partner in conservation was Stewardship Partners. This early partnership helped form Stewardship Partners’ model of engagement where we empower people as caretakers of our land and water, and even led Oxbow Farm to restore over 14 acres of salmon habitat along the Snoqualmie River with the help of Stewardship Partners.
Held at the Madrona Ventures offices in downtown Seattle, community members were able to witness this exceptional conversation while enjoying sweeping views of Seattle. Moderated by Lisa Jaguzny, Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center’s recently appointed Executive Director, Tom and Chris discussed their respective paths in sustainability and why environmental stewardship is important to preserve the natural beauty and health of our Puget Sound home. Growing up in the Northwest, Tom and Chris both had a natural, if at the time subconscious, desire to protect the environment they grew up in.
“I played on the beach at Bainbridge Island and Orcas Island and did all these wonderful things that involve nature. I suppose that’s where I understand now that it’s so valuable because our grandchildren are now turning over the same rocks on Orcas and finding the same crabs that I was finding [as a child].” – Chris Bayley
This event was an extension of our “I’m a Stewardship Partner” campaign where we recognize community members committed to environmental stewardship practices. Tom Alberg is a shining example of a Stewardship Partner and was presented with the first ever “Groundbreaker Award for Environmental Leadership in Washington State” for his work with Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center and Stillwater Creek Vineyard as well as a continued commitment to sustainability.
Stewardship Partners would like to express a sincere thanks to Madrona Venture Group for hosting this inspiring event in their scenic offices, Novelty Hill Winery for providing delicious, Salmon-Safe wine, along with Barbie Snapp, Lisa Jaguzny, Chris Bayley, and Tom Alberg for helping make this an engaging and inspiring evening dedicated to sustainability.
You can view a video recording of the evening’s conversation on the Stewardship Partners website here.