Nomination Statement for Bob Owen

I am honored to have been nominated to serve a second term as the Great Lakes region representative to the Terrafirma Members Committee. Serving on the Members Committee has been both exciting and humbling. Very important work is being done by some of the most talented and thoughtful conservationists around the country and I welcome the opportunity to continue to offer my knowledge and resources to this effort. In short, my reason for seeking and accepting the nomination for a second term are simple and can be summed up as follows: I believe that those of us in the conservation community must do all we can to defend and support the permanence of the tremendous efforts of many that have worked so hard to protect millions of acres and countless natural resource assets across the country! This belief aligns completely with the essential purpose and function of Terrafirma. The Members Committee is responsible for setting the strategic direction of Terrafirma and directly participates in its operational management. By representing the varying and somewhat unique interests of the member organizations in the Great Lakes region, I feel that I can continue to make a significant contribution to the defense and support of conservation permanence on both a regional and national level.

As in-house counsel for Western Reserve Land Conservancy over the past sixteen years, I have had the opportunity and the privilege to play a significant role in the permanent conservation of over 70,000 acres, including some of the most magnificent natural resources in northeastern Ohio. For the past eleven years I have also served on the Land Conservancy’s senior management team responsible for the strategic long-term planning and day-to-day management of the organization. In these roles I am responsible for assessing organizational risks on all levels and often am required to make difficult risk management decisions. Also, as a member and past president of the Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts (COLT), a state-wide land conservation advocacy and education group, I have been afforded the opportunity to advocate for legislative change and to participate in educational programs, as both trainer and trainee. As an advocate, I understand the importance of zealously representing the interests of those for whom I am advocating. My formal training and real life experiences as an attorney, manager and advocate have provided me with a thorough understanding of the legal, ethical and financial principles surrounding all aspects of conservation. A thorough understanding of these principles, along with an ability to evaluate challenges with a positive problem solving attitude, are key to assessing and managing risk. In the event I am fortunate enough to be re-elected to the Members Committee, I see my role as an advocate and ambassador for the Great Lakes region and will continue to work hard to ensure that, through my careful, thoughtful and collaborative problem solving approach, the risks and priorities of this region will be well represented.

Thank you for this opportunity.