The People of the Land Trust: Florencia Paredes and Colin Duffie

Colin and Florence out enjoying Truckee Donner Land Trust lands.

Colin Duffie and Florencia Paredes share a love of mountains, outdoor recreation, and conservation. Because of this, they chose a unique and heartfelt way to support the Truckee Donner Land Trust – by asking people to donate to the Land Trust in lieu of presents at their recent wedding in Argentina.

The two were married in Argentina, where Florencia is from, but they got to know each other in part during their visits from the Bay Area to the Truckee area, where they learned about the Land Trust and its work.

“I grew up in the Bay Area and spent a lot of time going up to the Truckee-Tahoe area for skiing,” Colin said, who works for Rivian. “I first learned about the Land Trust when I was invited on some trail days with a coworker and did trail building on a section of the Donner Lake Rim Trail. 

Florencia has been in California for the last 12 years, living in Colorado, Texas, and New York, and now works for a start-up company that helps material development companies become more sustainable, faster.

“Sustainability is something I support both personally and in my profession,” Florencia said. “We see the Land Trust as a way of investing in land for future use – it’s one of the best ways to give back. I grew up around mountains and lakes, so it’s where things feel like home.”

The two enjoy using the Donner Lake Rim Trail, visiting Lower Carpenter Valley, and have a trip planned to the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts later this spring.

“Truckee Donner Land Trust’s properties made meaningful experiences for us. They were a part of us getting to know each other, and getting to know the area, so they mean a lot to us,” Colin said. “At our wedding we said these places are really special, and it means a lot to us to protect them.”

“When we talk to people about the Land Trust, we’re able to give specific examples, like Carpenter Valley, or Frog Lake,” Florencia added.

Truckee Donner Land Trust is grateful for Florencia and Colin’s meaningful support and inclusion in their special day. To join them in supporting the Land Trust, click here.