While still in the formative stages of creating our non-profit organization, we already have a clear mission statement: acquire, restore, preserve, and protect the Van Norden Meadow property for public access and enjoyment.

Our board currently consists of three Donner Summit property owners: Tom Appelbaum, Joe Gray, and Nancy Latimer (full-time Serene Lakes resident), along with Susan Snider (who also coordinates SYRCL's--the South Yuba River Citizens League--Yuba Headwaters campaign) and Bob Riksheim, a Bay area resident (our CPA and legal brain).

We hope that the lifespan of our organization will be short. Acquiring the meadow is our main focus. And that will take some sizable financial resources. As will helping other stakeholders like SYRCL in a coordinated effort to restore the meadow to a more natural--and healthier--state. But we also intend to seek a partner--like a land trust--to work in tandem with Save Van Norden Meadow to help us create the legal means--like conservation easements--to protect the meadow in perpetuity from future development.

And of course, we will look to the current owners, Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge, for cooperation in our efforts to permanently protect Van Norden Meadow.

Once we attain our 501c3 status, we'll begin actively seeking donations. In the meantime, Save Van Norden Meadow welcomes input and comments from the Summit community.