Mitch Friedman2022The impact of Mitch Friedman and the advocates he’s led at Conservation Northwest can be felt throughout the Pacific Northwest. Since starting the organization in 1989, his efforts have resulted in a healthier, more vibrant and more resilient Cascadia, creating and restoring connections for wildlife, for wild places and for the people that love their Pacific Northwest home. Mitch and his team were instrumental in securing state and federal funding to build numerous wildlife crossings across Interstate 90; that success has led to new initiatives for crossings near I-5 to link the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascade Mountains. He raised funds to purchase private ranch land and return it to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Tribe for their stewardship. Under his leadership, CNW and the Colville Tribes are also working together to prevent potential pollution disasters from failing dams at the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia. All bios are from the year the award was presented.