Seattlest volunteer spotlight: Conservation Northwest

Each week Seattlest highlights an individual whose philanthropic efforts are helping to make our fair city a better place. From environmental causes to the health and wellness of Seattleites and animals, we recognize that every contribution helps. We’ll also feature information as to how you can get involved. This week, Seattlest looks at Conservation Northwest.

Today, we recognize two volunteers, Amy Tsui and Mike Webb. This dedicated husband and wife duo are starting their third year of volunteering with Conservation Northwest. The organization seeks to “keep the Northwest wild” by protecting wildlife in areas from the Washington Coast to the BC Rockies. Hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat have been protected since its inception in 1989.

As leaders in the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Program, Tsui and Webb place remote cameras in fields to see what wildlife reside in these areas. Tsui suggested they get involved after learning about the group through the Defenders of Wildlife mailing list. Webb agreed it was a great idea that would enable them to contribute to an interesting cause while getting to know different parts of the state.

Tsui’s favorite aspect of volunteering is seeing the animals they’ve been tracking as it includes many you don’t often see. Webb, meanwhile, enjoys being part of the large community of committed supporters. If you’d like to get involved, there are opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Webb encourages others to volunteer as you can “do it at the appropriate level. Our team includes professionals, blue collar workers and people young and old.” Tsui supports this message stating “the camera opportunity is only a small part. Conservation Northwest needs office volunteers to process memory cards full of thousands of digital images, planning for the auction in June and event set-up. Anybody who has a love of protecting wildlife/nature, there’s a job for you!” You can also contribute to the cause by making a donation. The volunteer team is growing and that means more cameras and equipment are needed to continue this work. Our thanks go out to volunteers like Mike Webb and Amy Tsui for helping to protect and conserve Washington’s wildlife.