Goodbye to Outgoing Board Members, Muffy Berryhill and Nancy Ruffner

Shasta Land Trust is led by an all-volunteer board of directors who generously donate their time, talents, and leadership to our organization. As with many non-profit boards, we have term limits in place to ensure we have the skills and experience necessary to lead the organization as it evolves, as well as to infuse new ideas and energy. This month we say goodbye to two outstanding board members who have helped shape Shasta Land Trust: Muffy Berryhill and Nancy Ruffner.

Muffy Berryhill

Muffy Berryhill has served as a board member since January 2009 and was chair of the board last year. Her first meeting in 2009 convened as an emergency meeting when she learned that the national/state economic downturn had forced the state to freeze all spending of general obligation bonds, including payment of funds needed as the final step to close two properties SLT had in escrow.

This unexpected situation posed an immediate financial challenge, holding-up significant funds that we had been anticipating. Clearly this was not the entry into SLT leadership that she was expecting!  Muffy said, "However, I was immediately impressed with the planning, the vision and the confidence with which the board and staff responded. Right then I knew I was part of a proactive, forward-thinking, yet pragmatic organization. Together, with conviction and confidence, we chose to take the situation as an opportunity to strengthen our organization and, by doing so, we not only weathered the storm, we emerged even better equipped to succeed in meeting our conservation mission. This spirit, willingness to engage in thoughtful deliberation, and dedication made my two terms on the board both exciting and fulfilling".

Nancy Ruffner

Nancy Ruffner has served as a board member since February 2011. She joined shortly after retiring from the US Forest Service and wanted to do something with her extra time that had a positive impact on Redding and Shasta County.

Nancy served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the board and chair of the Finance Committee. According to Nancy, "I think the most meaningful accomplishment of the Land Trust since I joined the board is how much more visible it is both locally and in the land trust community thanks to staff and the board members who've worked so hard to let everyone know what we've done and what we hope to do. I would certainly encourage others to consider becoming a board member just because it always feels good to expand your horizons and try new things".

We are grateful for Muffy and Nancy's leadership of the organization over the past several years. Please join us in thanking them for their commitment to Shasta Land Trust.