This week, we have to say a bittersweet goodbye to our longtime team member, Jenny Tollefson. For the last 15 years, Jenny has dedicated herself to taking care of the lands and waters of western Montana. But more so, through her work Jenny has positively impacted so many people and communities that call this special landscape home.
Jenny started out contracting with Five Valleys, joining our stewardship team fulltime in 2011. In 2019, she was elevated to our Stewardship Director. Over her tenure, Jenny has stewarded all of our nearly 200 conservation easement properties, built lasting relationships with our partnering landowners, integrated new science and new perspectives into our stewardship program, and forged partnerships that have deepened and broadened our work. For much of the last decade, Jenny has led our accessibility and restoration efforts at the Rock Creek Confluence, leaving a legacy of a river park that is healthier, more welcoming, and much loved by our community.
While Five Valleys is losing a rockstar, we are so excited for Jenny’s next chapter. Through her new role with the Land Trust Alliance, Jenny will use her experience to support land trusts and communities across the Intermountain West.
From the bottom of our hearts, happy trails and thank you, Jenny!
