The People of the Land Trust: Perry Norris

John Svahn and Perry Norris celebrate Perry’s last day as executive director.

While the Truckee Donner Land Trust has been shaped by countless board members, staff, volunteers and donors over its 31 years, no one person has done more to drive the success of the organization than Perry Norris.

Starting in 1996 as a part-time employee in a mostly volunteer organization, Norris helmed the Land Trust through many of its greatest successes, including the acquisitions of Waddle Ranch, Royal Gorge, Webber Lake, Lower Carpenter Valley, Frog Lake and Truckee Springs, permanently protecting more than 40,000 acres of open space throughout the region. Stewardship of the land and public access to open space are core beliefs of Perry’s and he built the Land Trust accordingly, raising funds and staffing the organization to effectively care for its growing protected acreage. Today the Land Trust has a staff of eight and actively manages tens of thousands of acres of open space, including over 45 miles of trails, numerous picnic areas, a campground and backcountry huts, all for the public to enjoy.

“I’m so thankful for Perry’s leadership, his friendship and his mentorship. The Land Trust would not be the organization it is today without him. More importantly the Truckee we know and love – the publicly accessible open space and scenic views, the protected habitat, and the ski shots, crags and trails – wouldn’t be the same without his tireless work” said Co-Executive Director John Svahn. “His leadership has set us up to continue to succeed into the future, and I’m excited for what is yet to come.”

Svahn will take over the Executive Director position. Perry will remain engaged with Land Trust projects as a consultant on land acquisitions and as the Hutmeister for the new Frog Lake Backcountry Huts.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and staff of the Land Trust, I want to thank Perry for all the incredible work he has done,” said Board President Aparna Reddy. “Under his leadership the Land Trust has accomplished so much, and I look forward to the future as John takes the lead.”

Norris is well known in the land trust community for his skill in negotiating complex land deals for conservation, resulting in win-win outcomes for both the sellers and the greater region. With tens of thousands of acres of open space yet to be protected, Norris will continue to help with new acquisitions, as well as the new Frog Lake Backcountry Huts

“It’s been an incredible opportunity and an honor to work at the Truckee Donner Land Trust, to be able to preserve the beauty of the northern Sierra, and to help shape the future of this place we all love,” Norris said. “After 25 years I’m ready for new things, and with new leadership I look forward to all that the Land Trust will accomplish in the coming years and decades.”

Truckee Donner Land Trust has received an outpouring of positive comments from community members, supporters and area officials thanking Norris for all he has done, including an official proclamation from the Truckee Town Council – below are a few of those comments:

“I would just like to say what an honor and pleasure it was to work with you on Truckee Springs,” said Mayor Anna Klovstad. “If we could all have even one tenth of his legacy of leaving this world a better place, the world would be changed significantly.”

“After 25 years of working with Perry it’s been an honor and a pleasure,” said Steve Frisch of the Sierra Business Council. “Perry is leaving this town much richer than he found it.”

“Perry has always stayed true to the Land Trust’s mission, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for the community,” said Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock.

“It has been my honor and pleasure to work with Perry for the 15 years I was on the board,” said William Thauvette, a former Land Trust board member. “It didn’t take me long to learn that if Perry said that the Land Trust was going to buy a property, he would move heaven and earth to make it happen.”

“Congrats Perry, and thanks for your service to the Sierra,” Jeff Darlington, Placer Land Trust.

“Thank you for all of your work to conserve the lands we love! Happy retirement,” Erin Tarr, Bear Yuba Land Trust.