Creative thinking can turn even the most ardent adversaries into allies. Such was the case at Martis Camp, a resort community located north of Lake Tahoe. When a coalition of environmental groups filed lawsuits to block further development in Martis Valley, we and our long-time partners, Highlands Group, negotiated a global agreement with the groups that settled the suits. Our agreement created a long-term revenue stream for the Martis Fund, a non-profit organization that supports programs to conserve open space, manage wildlife habitat, and promote workforce housing. The trust we earned with the local community made it possible for us to build the ski run that connects Martis Camp to the North Star Ski Area – now a major source of value in the community.