Collier recognized for industry, community contributions

Priest River resident Donna Collier's contribution to the community have been recognized through her inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. The biographical volume profiles selected individuals based on, among other criteria, community involvement, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and industry contributions.

After gaining valuable expertise in the field of residential development and construction management for many years, Collier purchased a Louisiana Pacific sawmill site, where she planned to establish a golf course. However, she was approached by the Corps of Engineers, which suggested she consider creating a wetland mitigation bank instead. A steadfast proponent of environmental reform, Ms. Collier agreed, believing that environmental restoration was better aligned with her own philosophy. She founded Valencia Wetlands Trust, of which she is managing partner, and never looked back.

Drawing upon years of expertise, Collier serves as a founding board member and chairwoman for the National Environmental Banking Association, with which she meets with regulatory agencies and congressional representatives regarding the mitigation banking industry. Previously she was a member of the National Mitigation Banking Association, where she acted as a member of the board of directors, secretary, and treasurer. Additionally, she is a steering committee member for the EPA, where she contributes to the writing of manuals to increase the efficiency of regulators.

Alongside her tenure with the National Environmental Banking Association, Ms. Collier has been involved with the National Small Business Association's leadership council.

While she has been recognized for many things throughout her career, Collier said she is especially proud of aiding the field of environmental restoration into becoming a stable, trustworthy industry to protect the environment. That breadth of knowledge, she speaks in college-level mitigation banking courses. She also participated on the steering committee for the National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Collier is working to establish another bank.