Left to right: Brian Rogers, Sherry Modrow, Rick York, and Linda York visiting on the lawn at Finnriver Farm & Cidery during LandFest 2022.
Elected in December 2019, Brian Rogers is entering his third year as President of Jefferson Land Trust’s Board of Directors.
Land Trust Board President Brian Rogers
“I’ve always felt that wherever you live, you owe a sort of civic rent — how you give back to the community in return for what the community gives to you,” Brian says. “The Land Trust is the right place for me to give back.”
“We’re extremely fortunate to have Brian as our board president,” says Executive Director Richard Tucker. “He’s forward-thinking, and very supportive of staff and of our projects. He’s also incredibly hardworking, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and experienced.”
Living and working in Alaska, Brian held roles as a state legislator, a university administrator, a public policy consultant, and a facilitator. He served as a chair of The Nature Conservancy Alaska trustees, a member of the Alaska Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees, and a co-chair of the federal-state Alaska Land Use Advisors Committee. Additionally, Brian was chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks for seven years and served on a wide variety of nonprofit and corporate boards, public councils, and task forces.
Ever since moving to Port Townsend seven years ago, Brian and his wife Sherry have spent many happy hours walking Cappy’s Trails in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor. Connecting to nature through this special place, and learning of our work to protect it, was what first motivated them to begin supporting the Land Trust in 2018. Brian was elected to the board and began volunteering to help care for and monitor our preserves the following year.
“Getting involved on the board has made me realize the breadth and depth of the activities of the Land Trust over the last three decades,” Brian says. “Originally, land trusts were mostly focused on conservation of habitat. But Jefferson Land Trust has taken a broader look and is finding a way to work that addresses the preservation of habitat, of agricultural land, and of forest land. That triple mission is particularly important when thinking about the long-term health and success of this region.”
Brian leads by example, encouraging collaboration and always volunteering wherever needed. He’s made a point of learning about all aspects of our organization — from stewardship to philanthropy to operations to conservation to outreach — and understands the Land Trust from top to bottom. Under his steady leadership, we’ve not only been able to navigate through a global pandemic, but also grow our staff, pursue innovative land protection projects, and find new ways to serve and engage with our community.
“Brian’s strategic thinking has helped us navigate the right path and grow as an organization,” Richard says. “He’s a true leader, and we have the utmost respect and appreciation for what he does for this organization.”
When he isn’t volunteering on behalf of the Land Trust, Brian consults on renewable energy issues, spends time with his grandchildren across the Sound, works in his permaculture garden, and is a longtime collector of vintage glass slides, which he shares in exhibitions such as the Port Townsend Victorian Festival.
Thank you, Brian, for all you do for the Land Trust, our shared lands, and this community!
“I’ve always felt that wherever you live, you owe a sort of civic rent — how you give back to the community in return for what the community gives to you. The Land Trust is the right place for me to give back.” — Brian Rogers
“I’ve always felt that wherever you live, you owe a sort of civic rent — how you give back to the community in return for what the community gives to you. The Land Trust is the right place for me to give back.”
