By WCLT | Published: January 8, 2011 – 1:19 am

Sound Waters

When: February 5, 2011
Where: South Whidbey High School
Registration Link: http://www.beachwatchers.net/sw_2011/?q=regis

Register online today for Sound Waters, a one-day “university” offering more than 60 fun and informative classes and presentations about the natural world and Puget Sound’s environment. This huge education event is organized and held every year by the WSU Beach Watchers of Island County and attracts hundreds of attendees from a multi-county area.

Dr. Rick Keil, director of the Aquatic Organic Geochemistry lab and a Professor of Chemical Oceanography in the University of Washington’s School of Oceanography is delivering this year’s keynote address. He will speak on “Puget Sound: What’s In Our Water and Why Does It Matter?” For the remainder of the day, attendees may choose any three of more than 60 classes on subjects ranging from salmon, crab, shellfish and birds to bluffs, estuaries, orcas, and septic systems. Classes are taught by authors, educators, enthusiasts and government officials.

This year’s event will be held at the South Whidbey High School campus in Langley on Saturday, February 5. Registrations will be accepted until Friday, January 28th, 2011, but class assignments are made in order of registration date. If you wait until late January, some of your preferred classes may already be filled to capacity. For more information, visit the Sound Waters site.

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By WCLT | Published: December 25, 2010 – 12:48 am

The Land Trust office will be open on December 31. If you’re in the area, please stop by. You can read the 9 panel Trillium story or, if you’ve already studied it, please come tell us your favorite story of land protection. We’d love to meet you and hear what matters so much to you in this work we do.

Oh, and thanks for all the support you give to protect the very nature of Whidbey and Camano Islands. These are treasures that we want to enjoy today and share with generations to come. Happy Holidays!

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By WCLT | Published: December 3, 2010 – 9:53 pm

Oak Harbor Sustainable Living Lecture Series has invited the Land Trust to present a program on Tuesday, December 14, from 5:30-6:30 pm at Oak Harbor City Hall. Cheryl Lowe, our land steward, will report on some of the Land Trust’s incredible successes–not just the $4.2 million in a matter of months to buy the 654 acres of the Trillium forest, but also the status of the 150 acres we’ve procured for salmon and waterfowl on Dugualla Bay, and highlights of other North Whidbey protection projects like the 50 acres of forest and field on Zylstra Road. For details about the Sustainability Lecture series, call 360-279-4762.

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By WCLT | Published: November 30, 2010 – 10:33 pm

It’s been just over a year since Pat Powell, our executive director, was interviewed for the book, Whidbey Island’s Special Places. For this book, author Dan Pedersen interviewed local guides who could help readers experience Whidbey Island through their own voices and eyes. He says, “I chose 10 individuals and couples whose passions range from birds to orcas, to flying, diving, biology, forestry, cemeteries, lighthouses, land protection, recreation and small-town life.”

This event honors the community volunteers who help keep the Clinton library going, and brings them together with as many as possible of those featured in the book to talk about the things they love on Whidbey Island.

Meet Pat and others featured in the book when they gather at Clinton Community Hall, at 7 pm, Thursday, December 2. The program is sponsored by Clinton Library.

More Details:http://wildwhidbey.blogspot.com/2010/11/dec-2nd-meet-remarkable-people-of.html

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By WCLT | Published: November 19, 2010 – 8:42 pm

Did you know that our local library system contains a wealth of materials about land conservation, our earth’s natural resources, wildlife and habitat? Guess what? The Whidbey Camano Land Trust is featured in the Oak Harbor library’s main display case. Between now and November 30, the display features information about the Land Trust. It highlights its current projects on North Whidbey. Part of the display are books and materials available for reference and check-out. They help tell the “big picture” story of land protection with a focus on land protection in Island County. Check out this fantastic display on your next visit to the library! Library location, hours, and directions>

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By WCLT | Published: November 3, 2010 – 4:22 pm

The Land Trust is proud to help sponsor (and be one of the field trip leaders!) of the 3rd Annual Ebey’s Forever Conference and Community Event on November 5 and 6. The conference offers a slate of behind-the-scenes field trips, workshops, local music, and a taste of Ebey’s – hosted by experts in agriculture, historic preservation, and sustainability. The conference’s keynote address, workshops, and field trips take place or start at the Camp Casey Conference Center.

Field trips are filling up but there’s still some room in the Land Trust-led “Adventures with Giant Trees” field trip. Join us on this trip where you will explore the oldest and gnarliest trees on Whidbey Island up close and personal with Whidbey Camano Land Trust leaders. You’ll also find out what these monsters eat for breakfast and other cool science facts about this rare patch of old-growth coastal forest.

Online registration closes at midnight on Thursday, November 4. See the conference website for up-to-date info on space available in sessions and field trips and to register online.

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By WCLT | Published: October 29, 2010 – 7:20 pm

Enjoy the slideshow below that captures the festivities at our Trillium celebration last Sunday. Thank you to Cac Kamak for taking these photos and to Dan Pedersen for sharing his photos on our Facebook page.

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By WCLT | Published: October 26, 2010 – 12:14 am

“I’m sure you all recognize and appreciate that forests survive on rain and that they are tested and strengthened by the winds, ” said Land Trust Board President Tom Cahill as he welcomed more than 200 Trillium supporters to the Land Trust’s celebration at the M-Bar-C Ranch on Sunday, October 24. Outside the arena, the rain fell and the gusts flew by, but inside, all who attended cheered and congratulated each other for the perseverance and creativity that raised the money to purchase the Trillium property. Now, it’s saved for wildlife and current and future generations. Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson and Land Trust Development Director Elizabeth Guss continued Tom’s sentiments, thanking everyone for the over-the top-top support that went into the campaign and recognized those whose support came in the forms of donations, in-kind gifts, endorsements, partnerships, and moral support. Executive Director Pat Powell talked about the Land Trust’s other active projects and encouraged people to support the Land Trust’s work into the future, including stewardship of the Trillium property. The program ended with the Earth Song Riddle, inspired by the Trillium project and composed by member Pushkara Ashford. The Land Trust also thanks all of its guests who brought food donations, we left the ranch with three barrels of food for our local food banks.

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By WCLT | Published: September 29, 2010 – 5:00 pm

For Release – September 29, 2010

Whidbey Camano Land Trust
Contact: Elizabeth Guss, Director of Development and Outreach
(360) 222-3310

Greenbank, WA

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Smiling as the deed was recorded, Pat Powell, executive director of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, completed the transaction to purchase the 664-acre Trillium forest on central Whidbey Island. More than 1485 individual donations made the purchase possible. A soldier overseas contributed $5.00. An anonymous donor concerned with the survival of wildlife habitat came forward with a very significant gift that allowed the Land Trust to purchase the property. In between were 1483 other named donations.

“It seemed impossible in March and yet it happened,” says Pat Powell. “Hundreds of people took a stand to save wildlife habitat, open space, and a place for people to be out in nature. With their dollars and their effort, they voted this a high priority. The impossible dream came true in September. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude.”

Powell emphasized that the property will never be developed and can only be used for protecting natural habitats and providing appropriate non-motorized recreational activities, such as hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.  The Land Trust will own the property for about a year, enough time to develop the site management plan and the conservation easement, the legally binding agreement that will confirm protection of the land, limiting the way it can be used. Then, the Land Trust will transfer it to Island County.

The Land Trust is securing the property by installing gates and signs at appropriate locations.  Partnering with Island County, the Land Trust will soon assemble an advisory committee to develop a long-term site management plan. Simultaneously, the Land Trust will also develop a team of volunteers to help oversee and care for the forest.

“We expect to open the property officially to the public in the spring of 2011”, said Cheryl Lowe of the Land Trust.  “Careful stewardship of a property of this size requires time. We want to do it right. We’re still gratefully accepting monetary donations and offers of stewardship that will help us care for the forest,” Lowe added.

“It is a powerful testimony to the values of our community,” commented County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson. “The County will take over ownership of this property in the next year. However the community still must play a significant role. Our agreement with WCLT is that there will be a maintenance fund of $50,000 and a cadre of volunteers to care for this property in the years ahead. The many people who supported this effort now can continue their commitment by volunteering time and/or financial support toward the Trillium woods for the ongoing stewardship of this unique natural open space. I am confident that our amazing community will step up to this challenge and provide the resources necessary for this valuable public asset.”

The Trillium property has been owned by timber companies and by land developers. To celebrate the property’s rebirth as a community forest, it needs a new name. To offer a possible name, download a form from www.wclt.org/rename.pdf or come to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust office in Barn C at the Greenbank Farm (765 Wonn Road in Greenbank). Submit the form by November 15. A selected panel will choose from among the names submitted to the Land Trust.

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By WCLT | Published: September 10, 2010 – 5:45 pm

Be the first to participate in a work party at our Crockett Lake conservation easement, which is located on the fields just north of Crockett Lake. This property is not open to the public, and opportunities to see it are rare. We’ll be digging and cutting blackberries, so we’ll get a good workout while enjoying this beautiful area.

If you’re interested in attending, contact Jessica at Jessica@wclt.org, or call 360-222-3310. We’ll send directions and details after you RSVP. We look forward to seeing you! This is a special, first-time event so we hope you can make it.

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