We are building on decades of land conservation by creating two unique and inspiring places for you and our community to visit.
Through the Connecting to the Land Campaign, we’re raising funds to create welcoming, accessible places where people can experience nature, learn from it, and build lasting relationships with the lands and waters that sustain our region for years to come.
Kristopher (Kris) Peters, is the Chairman of the Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington State. He is also the Vice President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and sits on the Board of Trustees at the Evergreen State College.
Before being elected as the Tribal Chair, Kris worked for three years as the Tribal Administrator at Squaxin and has nearly 20 years of experience working in public safety and social work in Indian Country. He has also worked as an adjunct professor at the Evergreen State College in indigenous studies.
Kris holds a bachelor's degree in with an emphasis in Federal Indian Law and Tribal Governance and a Master of Public Administration degree.
Karen Fraser is a former member of the Washington State Senate, representing District 22. Karen earned her B.A. in sociology from the University of Washington in 1966. She went on to receive her master's degree in public administration from the University of Washington in 1969.
During her political career, Karen served on the Lacey City Council (1973–1980), as Mayor of City of Lacey (1976–1980), Commissioner of Thurston County (1981–1988), as a member of the Washington House of Representatives (1989–1993), and as a member of the Washington State Senate (1993–2017). She was the State Senate Minority Caucus Leader at the end of her time in office. Karen has worked as a professor of public administration at The Evergreen State College since 1999.
Karen’s passion for nature led her to become a founding board member of the Nisqually Land Trust, Initial Chair of the Nisqually River Council and Chair of the Nisqually River Task Force. She served as a board member of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, co-chaired the National Committee on Environment, and was a founding member and past Co-Chair of the Legislative Columbia River Governance Council.