While small towns often grapple with how to update and revitalize, Lander County is doing so through collaboration and beautification, all while honoring its history and preserving its unique character.
And the next step? Success depends on you being part of it.
We’re rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. At the September 18th Frontier Community Coalition (FCC) meeting, local leaders and residents came together to share updates, plan for the future, and brainstorm ways to make the community a more beautiful and welcoming place.
This meeting wasn’t just about hearing from officials and community leaders. It was a hands-on info update and brainstorming session to get everyone on the same page. And a large part of the discussion was about how to invite more voices into the conversation.
From new housing and health initiatives to upcoming community events, every sector of Lander County is working toward a shared goal: improving the quality of life for residents, starting with the county’s beautification project. This effort is about more than just making things look good—it's about creating spaces where people can come together, celebrate, and take pride in their community.
Wendy Nelson, Director of the Frontier Community Coalition (FCC), kicked things off with an exciting update: FCC’s expanded role as an Action Agency means they can offer more services, from housing assistance to utility support. “We’ll be the first in the state to be not just a prevention coalition but also an action agency, which gives us a lot more wiggle room,” Nelson said, underscoring how these resources will directly benefit Lander County.
But the real heart of the meeting was the planning and collaboration around Lander County’s beautification initiative. Bert Ramos, County Manager, was eager to keep the ball rolling. “There have been a number of things that we're already working on, but I don’t want to steal anything from Deb, so I’ll let her lead us on that,” he said, passing the torch to Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town.
Known for her no-nonsense approach to revitalizing small towns, Deb Brown didn’t disappoint. She spoke passionately about how small, impactful projects can make a big difference, encouraging residents to take ownership of their community. “Start small but make it impactful. Keep people talking about what’s possible,” Brown said. She urged locals to think outside the box, from organizing mural projects to involving local school shop classes in building benches for public spaces.
One of Brown’s ideas came in the form of a simple but effective tool: photography. Brown shared her personal use of Flickr, where she organizes and shares photos of community projects. "Now I use Flickr.com, and I organize my photos by album and I'll share that link later," she said. Brown even floated the idea of a photo contest, where residents could submit pictures of the county’s transformation as beautification projects take shape. “Making your pictures available for others to use is good too,” she explained, emphasizing the power of visuals to inspire progress.
Holly Preece, Executive Director of the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce, also spoke about upcoming events aimed at getting people involved, like the Business Trick or Treat and the Festival of Trees. “I’ve sent out a survey to chamber members on how we can better serve the community. Let me know if you want to be added to the list,” Preece said. These events, designed to bring people together, are just some of the ways we work to build community spirit.
As John Muir so beautifully said, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” This project isn't just about beautification. It’s about coming together to create spaces that foster enjoyment, connection and pride in Lander County.
With all this momentum, Lander County is on the verge of something great. Community leaders are calling on you to be part of the process.
Attend the upcoming watch party inspired by Deb Brown and share your ideas. Or even start capturing photos as you notice different stages of projects unfold to contribute to a collaborative community photo album.
Jane Addams once said, “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” The future of Lander County is in all of our hands.