Since community members founded North Olympic Land Trust in 1990, the nonprofit has continued to grow and with that growth the organization was in need of a larger space. Recognizing this need, Sound Community Bank officials offered a generous opportunity, which allowed the Land Trust to move to its own location at 602 E. Front St., Port Angeles.

The recent partnership with Sound Community Bank deepened a lasting relationship between the bank and NOLT while providing the Land Trust’s team with the room needed to build its efforts to conserve the lands that sustain the communities of Clallam County. Additionally, the larger office space acts as a wonderful place to reflect the community’s land conservation achievements and future goals, NOLT staff said.

“Sound Community Bank is continuing a long tradition of businesses investing in local nonprofits,” said Tom Sanford, North Olympic Land Trust executive director. “This investment in the Land Trust gives us the space we need to attempt to meet the growing community demand for land conservation. We see this donation to the Land Trust, as a gift to the entire community and intend to use it accordingly.”

Working beside the community and with willing landowners, NOLT has conserved more than 3,200 acres on over 90 properties across Clallam County. These lands include about 650 acres open for public recreation, as well as about 460 acres of active farmland, about 460 acres of working forestland, both marine and freshwater shorelines and about 1,800 acres of conserved forest lands.

With a focus on fish, farms and forests, the Land Trust helps local citizens protect the land base that defines the North Olympic Peninsula and in doing so ensures these lands are permanently conserved for future generations. The support of Sound Community Bank through this partnership is instrumental in the Land Trust’s ability to pursue current and future land conservation opportunities on behalf of the community.

Furthering the development of the Land Trust aligns with the commitment of Sound Community Bank to provide sustainable and secure financial services and support for individuals, businesses and communities. The bank’s partnership with the Land Trust is just one example of its support, as Sound Community Bank has supported holistic sustainability on the North Olympic Peninsula for nearly 20 years.

“We playfully state that ‘community’ is our middle name — but it really is!” said Laurie Stewart, president and CEO of Sound Community Bank. “Partnerships with like-minded community organizations affirm our long-term commitment to the places we do business.”

“I was born and raised in Sequim,” she added. “The North Olympic Land Trust ensures those fields, farms and rivers I fondly remember endure for generations to come. Sound Community Bank looks forward to this partnership and the great work we’ll achieve together.”

Within the coming months, NOLT will host an open house to celebrate the collaboration behind its new location.

Learn more about the Land Trust at www.NorthOlympicLandTrust.org. Learn more about Sound Community Bank’s holistic sustainability efforts at soundcb.com/sustainability.