Maggie Coon, a founding member of the Methow Valley Citizens Council in 1976, has left an indelible mark on our community. Her unwavering commitment to environmental protection, community engagement, and advocacy has shaped the Methow Valley for decades. In June of 2024, she made the decision to step away from the MVCC Board of Directors while continuing to serve on the MVCC Action Fund 501(c)(4) Board.

To honor Maggie’s legacy, a generous $20,000 gift has been provided by an anonymous member to MVCC to ensure that this spirit of activism continues to shape the Valley’s future. Additionally, MVCC is launching the annual Red-Tailed Hawk Award. This award will be given to individuals who embody Maggie’s and cofounder Vicky Welch’s values of community spirit, environmental stewardship, and passionate advocacy.

Maggie is humbled and grateful for the experience and the honor: “It’s been a wild ride and I feel incredibly blessed for the experience and camaraderie. I leave the MVCC Board knowing that it’s in excellent hands with a new generation of leadership and dynamic staff showing the way forward. I’m so excited for MVCC’s future.”

The Early Days

In the mid-1970s, when the Aspen Ski Corporation proposed a mega ski resort in the upper Valley, Maggie Coon was one of the dedicated citizens who stood at the forefront of the fight. Supported by many community members, who each took their turn leading the charge, this battle endured for more than two decades, including a landmark victory at the U.S. Supreme Court. The proposed ski resort was defeated, preserving the Valley’s natural beauty and ecological integrity.

A Return to the Valley

After spending years away from the Valley, Maggie returned in 2009 and rejoined the MVCC board in 2012. Inspired by her love of MVCC co-founder, Vicky Welch (who passed away in 2013), Maggie has worked tirelessly to strengthen our capacity to address the complex issues we face today. Her leadership has been instrumental in broadening support and securing essential funding to help build the organization.

In 2017, deeply concerned about the threat of an open-pit copper mine in the Methow headwaters, Maggie was instrumental in the formation of a coalition of community members, organizations and civic leaders to create the positive and powerful Methow Headwaters campaign. Her advocacy efforts were pivotal in safeguarding over 300,000 acres of the Upper Methow from commercial mining – forever. The Methow Headwaters campaign became a testament to her tenacity and love for the Valley, which she shares with so many others.

Maggie Coon’s significant legacy serves as an inspiration to us all of what is possible when a thoughtful group of citizens comes together to organize around what they love. We hope you will join us in celebrating her achievements and carry forward her spirit of activism by making a special gift in her name. The winner of the Red-Tailed Hawk Award will be announced this fall! 

To learn more or make a special gift, contact Jasmine Minbashian, jasmine@mvcitizens.org