COMMUNITY CENTER Land Trust, Veterans and Their Communities: Learning from Each Other By Rob Aldrich A merican stories, novels and folklore contain many tales of soldiers returning home to the land. The literary devices, descriptions and metaphors in these tales symbolize the land as a place of healing, a sentiment shared across cultures. Land trusts too paint their public lands as places of healing, livelihoods and a tribute to the men and women who have served in the military. Forest Management and Skill Building Partnering with veterans groups, Team Red, White & Blue (RWB) and Team Rubicon, the accredited Five Valleys Land Trust in Mon- PHOTO COURTESY OF FIVE VALLEYS LAND TRUST Here are two stories that demonstrate how land trusts are using their mission of land conservation to serve and engage veterans in a way that is meaningful to them and that builds long-term relationships. 16 Parks & Recreation | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G tana tackles a variety of forest management work on conserved lands. Team RWB enriches the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with Team Rubicon veterans group helps Montana's Five Valleys Land Trust with forest management work.