A letter from Vaughn Hadenfeldt, regarding his transition on the Board of Directors:
A dozen years ago, Mark Meloy approached me to join him in starting Friends of Cedar Mesa (FCM) and I naively accepted. The original, simple, mission to help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with volunteer, on-the-ground projects throughout the Cedar Mesa area seemed like a good way to help protect and preserve the cultural and natural wonders that surround Bluff, Utah, the place where I live and worked.
We all know now how quickly our volunteer projects and advocacy efforts escalated into the highly respected non-profit environmental organization that FCM is today. While our challenges continued to grow, our achievements have been great. Our incredible staff and dedicated board members have not let up even under difficult times. We all worked tirelessly to fight for Bears Ears National Monument – and other specific protections – and watched as those protections were put in place, torn down and finally reinstated. Throughout the process the entire team continued to create and complete work on the land that means so much to us.
I want to take a moment to share how much being the President of the Board of FCM has meant to me because it reflects on the achievements of the entire organization. I have been privileged to travel to Washington DC to engage in the politics of public lands. I have had the honor of meeting three serving Secretaries of the Interior, and one retired Secretary – three of whom I actually like! On numerous occasions I have had the pleasure of meeting with, hiking with and socializing with tribal leaders from Pueblos and tribes throughout the southwest. As they came to southeastern Utah to work on defending this place that is so sacred to them, I was rewarded by being a part of the fight and from the knowledge they shared. And, lastly, I have met some incredible people who are our supporters, donors and volunteers. Without you, there’d be no FCM and I wouldn’t have come to know some very fine people with whom to share my passion for this place.
After several years as the President of the Board of Directors, I have stepped down and want to welcome David Nimkin as the new President. I’m so thankful to know that Dave, with all his years of nonprofit work, environmental expertise and dedication to the board, will skillfully lead the future of FCM. Dave, I wish you the best as you lead the way in fundraising for our new property acquisition and improvements, advising on the upcoming management plans for Bears Ears, driving the efforts for site preservation, and all the associated challenges demanding effort from FCM. I will continue as a board member and hope to contribute any way that I can.
As President of the Board, I hope that I have honorably discharged my duties to help guide the organization while being so grateful to learn from the staff, board members, Tribal leaders, supporters and dignitaries that I was so fortunate to work with. Thank you all for your support for FCM and the help you have given me in my term as President.
Vaughn Hadenfeldt
The Friends of Cedar Mesa staff and board is incredibly grateful for Vaughn’s leadership, commitment and deep love for both FCM and the Bears Ears landscape. He’s shaped our organization in innumerable big and small ways. We are beyond lucky that, while he is stepping down as our Board President, he will continue to serve on the board and guide us moving forward. We also know that for many of you, your connection to the area and to FCM started on a hike, visit or conversation with Vaughn.
In recognition of and gratitude for Vaughn’s longstanding service and leadership, we hope you’ll take a moment to write him a note and, if you’re compelled, consider a donation to Friends of Cedar Mesa in his honor.