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December 2020

Dear Friends,

Frequent walks along the banks of Doan Brook have provided a critical antidote to the many stressors of 2020. Across the globe, people adapted to maintain social, economic and physical health during a widespread pandemic. The ribbon of parkland that runs along the Doan Brook and through our communities, not only offers peace during chaotic times, it offers a metaphor. The natural world continually displays examples of resilience, regrowth and innovative response to change.

For the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, 2020 was definitely a busy year spent adapting to change. This year was also an opportunity to take the Doan Brook’s cue and seek regeneration. We hired new staff and built new programs that we delivered in new ways. Our Board and staff worked together to deepen our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Steadfast volunteers, especially our Friends of Lower Lake core team, created more biodiverse habitat around Lower Shaker Lake. We won new grants and built new partnerships, which may not have evolved from a less tumultuous year.

It goes without saying, that you, our strong community of supporters, adapted right along with us. Thanks to everyone who volunteered, shared feedback from all points of the watershed and took many more walks along the Doan Brook, this year.

Philanthropic demands are higher than ever, so we are deeply grateful and heartened that donations continue to support our mission’s work. Your support will help bridge our 2020 accomplishments, the highlights of which are listed below, to achievements in years to come.

  • a DEI commitment, adopted by the DBWP staff and Board of Trustees
  • a total of 2022 volunteer hours, which amounts to $55,000 of in-kind support
  • programs that reached 1550 people through modified stream clean-ups, rain barrel workshops, presentations, land stewardship activities and hikes
  • 790 storm drains stenciled to prevent pollution
  • a rewritten and updated Shaker Lakes Parklands Management Plan
  • new grants for programming, education, homeowner assistance, flood attenuation and habitat restoration, amounting to $921,158 raised in 2020

As you consider your year-end giving, we ask for your contribution to our small but mighty organization. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. Thank you, again, for lending voice to the Doan Brook and its parklands.

Our entire team thanks you,

Victoria Mills, Executive Director

Make a “Doan-ation!”
Black man wearing a tan hat, long sleeved navy shirt and tan pants holds up trout caught at Rockefeller Lagoon.
Volunteers wearing masks and yellow vests hold stencils and spray paint for a storm water stenciling event.
Hikers walk along the Doan Brook gorge for the 2020 Photo Hike.
Dr. Roy Larick standing on the Trash Rack.