SPRING 2008 - Western Reserve Land Conservancy

Volunteer Hi g h l i g h tby Christa Markusic and Jean GokorschInspired by her loveof an imperiled backyardwetland, Sandra McMannisbegan her conservationavocation more than 17 yearsago. And boy has she beenbusy, very busy!As one would expect,Sandra’s work with land preservationstarted at home, inHudson, Ohio. After resolvinga dispute over wetlanddevelopment, Sandra joinedthe fledgling Hudson LandSandra McMannisConservancy and workedto develop growth controlordinances in Hudson. These ordinances helped pace thespeed of development in Hudson, preserved some environmentallysensitive areas, and laid the foundation forsimilar programs in communities across the country. Later,as Sandra served on, and chaired, the Hudson Park Board,400 acres of park land was successfully preserved for futuregenerations – a major victory which motivated her to moveon to new challenges.She currently acts as Vice Chair of Western ReserveLand Conservancy. She has contributed as a member ofthe Revenue Diversification Committee, the DevelopmentCommittee, and most recently, the Strategic PlanningCommittee.Sandra recounts that she became an attorney becauseshe was convinced that she could save the world. Her idealisticapproach to law shifted as she discovered that she, infact, had a real entrepreneurial streak. She got involved in animporting and exporting business, and then developed anexport sales program for her husband’s company – MickeyThompson Performance Tires. It was exciting to handlethe deals herself, straight and fast, holding on to more ofthe profit and getting to travel all over the world in theprocess. Her trips to far-away places opened her eyes to thefact that, compared with the U.S., other countries oftenhave much more sophisticated ideas concerning nature andthe aesthetic value of their land. This has affected how sheenvisions her role at home. The business has since beensold, opening up even more time and resources to becomeinvolved in volunteer work. Sandra finds this extremelyemotionally gratifying, as well as being an opportunity tomeet terrific people.Watching her pursue a personal vision for saving ourlittle corner of the earth inspires us to ask the question,“How do we raise and nurture more like her?” Apparently,her childhood was spent camping and sailing around theGreat Lakes, exploring the woods with her cousins, andbraving the icy cold waters of Lake Superior. Now, stilldrawn to water and nature as an adult, she summers up onCatawba Island and winters in Key West. And, of course,she’s involved in conservation activities in both of herhomes away from home. Sandra says that her love of natureis tied closely to her love for surprises. Nature is full ofunscheduled events, things we do not expect to see. Whena wild animal walks through your backyard, they never tellyou that they are coming. Venturing into the woods, younever know what you will find. Sandra McMannis intendsto save those surprises for those who are yet to come along.And for that, we are thankful.Ways to Give to WRLCThere are many ways that you can contributeto the financial success of Western Reserve LandConservancy. Please contact Leah Whidden or JeanGokorsch for more information at 440-729-9621.Outright Gifts• Cash• Gift of support: a financial contributionon someone else’s behalf• Memorial gift: a financial contribution inmemory of a friend or relative• Matching gift: an additional financialcontribution from your employer• Online donation• Automatic monthly giving program• Securities• Real estatePlanned Gifts• Life income plans• Charitable gift annuity• Charitable remainder trust• Charitable lead annuity or unitrustDeferred Gifts• Testamentary gifts• Retirement plan benefits• Life insurance18