WCLT News & Activities

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2010-05-04T08:44:00.001-07:00

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Discover a different kind of agriculture: tour a conifer seed orchard in Ebey’s Reserve

2010-04-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

A summer drive through Ebey’s Reserve reveals thriving fields of barley, corn, and other crops that we commonly associate with agriculture. But there’s another, far less conventional, crop that grows in Ebey’s Reserve: the seeds of Douglas-fir, noble fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and western white pine trees. This crop, which is used for reforestation, is raised at Longview Timber’s seed orchard. The orchard, which was protected in 2005 by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust via a conservation easement, is opening for rare presentations and public tours on April 16th and 17th.

"Whidbey Island is an ideal location for the seed orchard because the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains makes the weather extremely dry in May and June," says Dan Cress, the independent consultant who will be giving presentations and leading tours along with Rick Brooker of Longview Timber. "May and June is when the buds for next year’s pollen and cone buds set, and dry weather has a huge impact on the quality and quantity of cones that get picked a year and a half later."

The seed orchard is young and not yet in full production, but in another six years, it will produce tens of thousands of cones that will be shipped to Oregon. There, the seeds will be extracted from the cones and then shipped to tree nurseries across the Northwest, where they’ll be sown. The trees spend one or two years in the nurseries before being hand planted in Western Washington and Oregon. It takes forty to sixty years for them to grow to harvestable size, and then the cycle begins again.

When it’s in full production, the 38-acre seed orchard will generate enough seeds reforest 4,000 acres of land every other year.

There are two free presentations and tours: one takes place on April 16th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and another on April 17th from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Each participant will receive several free tree seedlings of different varieties at the end of the tour. Space is limited. To take part, please sign up in advance by calling the Whidbey Camano Land Trust at (360) 222-3310 or by emailing info@wclt.org. The Land Trust will provide directions when you reserve your spot.

Hammons Preserve Work Party (near Cultus Bay)

2010-04-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

We have a new round of wetland plants to put around our stream. Come and see how our previous plantings are doing and add to the restoration efforts! Please RSVP by calling Jessica at 360.222.3310.

Wednesday, April 14

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location

Naas Preserve (near Coupeville) Work Party

2010-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

There are prairie plants ready to go into the ground. Bring your knee pads and come restore our native prairie! We'll also be doing some weeding if we have time. Please RSVP by calling Jessica at 360.222.3310.

Saturday, April 10
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location

Saratoga Woods work party

2010-03-12T14:37:00.000-08:00

We’ll be attacking the invasive species that are on the property. Scotch broom and blackberries will be our main targets. We’ll spend the first part of the work party down by the start of the trail then walk up to the old airstrip and work along there as well. So come on out for a nice walk and some rewarding invasive removal!

Saturday March 27th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

GPS coordinates

48.057955,-122.453391

Hammons Preserve Work Party

2010-03-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Help us plant small bare-root shrubs in the forest area and see how our previous plantings are doing. We’ll also be working on establishing the new loop trail that will connect with our bridge over the wetland. Enjoy the views and see how much we have accomplished so far!

Friday Mar. 12th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon

GPS coordinates

47.928112,-122.384592

Getting to the Fairfax Preserve

2010-02-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

For Valentine’s Day, the Whidbey News Times ran a beautiful story about a loving gift of land. George Fairfax, retired Oak Harbor physician, donated a 50 acre parcel to the Land Trust in loving memory of his wife, Del. This forest and meadow preserve is now owned and managed by the Land Trust and it is for gentle, public use. That means walking, jogging, birdwatching, and other low impact activities. Look for the sign. Here’s how you get there.

Directions: Access to the Fairfax property is located off Zylstra Road, north of Hastie Lake Road and south of Fort Nugent Road.

From Coupeville and south, take Highway 20 north and turn left onto Zylstra Road. Head north on Zylstra Road for approximately 3 miles until you see the Zystra Road Fire Station on your left. Turn left onto a wide gravel road in front of the fire station and park on the right next to the fence. The Del Fairfax sign will be in front of you. Please do not block the gravel road or the Zylstra Road Fire Station bay doors.

From Oak Harbor and north, head south on Highway 20. Turn right onto Hastie Lake Road. Turn right onto Zylstra Road. Follow the directions above.

Enjoy the gift of George Fairfax to the community. Treat it gently.

Read the whole article.

Land Trust Co-Sponsors Regional Conference

2010-02-08T16:12:00.000-08:00

with Society for Ecological Restoration

The Land Trust is a co-sponsor of the Society for Ecological Restoration - The Wildlife Society Regional conference on February 16-19 in Tulalip, Washington.

Check out details about the conference here: https://www.ser.org/sernw/Conference_2010.asp. The Land Trust’s Naas Natural Area Preserve will be featured in one of the technical sessions on Wednesday.

Land Trust at Sound Waters - Saturday, 2/6

2010-02-03T14:09:00.001-08:00

Will you be at Sound Waters this weekend? Look for the Land Trust’s display while you’re there. Attend the Land Trust’s dynamic presentation to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a land protection project comes together and what it takes to keep it protected forever. Hope to see you there!

Sound Waters is a "one-day university for all" offered by the Island County Beach Watchers with presentations and displays about the natural history and people history of our island environment. Learn more here: beachwatchers.net/soundwaters2010/

Hammons Work Party – Thursday 2/11

2010-02-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

9:00 am - noon

Now that we are past much of the frozen weather, it’s time to put more native plants in the ground! Come and help us plant bare-root shrubs in the wetland and forest areas at the Hammons Preserve. We’ll also install protective cages around some of the growing plants and remove blackberry plants in preparation for future plantings.

Please RSVP to Jessica Larson by phone (360) 222-3310 or email if you plan on attending. Directions can be provided upon confirmation. Thanks so much for your help!

Last Chance to Get Your Passport Stamps

2009-11-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

Are you a stamp or two shy of entering your passport into a drawing for an all-day cruise along the coasts of Whidbey and Camano Islands?

Stop by our office lobby on a Friday, December 4 to check out our “Land Keepers” display and get your “Youth Fotostory” stamp. Or, come to our Holiday Open House and check out the display before 6:00 and get your stamp just in time for the drawing. These fabulous photo essays tell the stories of four historic Island County families and why they love their land so much. If you’ve done some of the activities on your passport but have not received your visa stamp, bring your passport and we’ll make it right.

Land Trust DVDs Now For Sale

2009-11-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

Purchase your own copies of the Land Trust’s short films that premiered at the Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Both of the DVDs run for about 15 minutes and are $16.50 a piece.

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust Honors Citizen Conservationists tells the history of the Land Trust and the stories of those honored at our 25th anniversary celebration. This excellent film was created by Oak Harbor High School film and media students. To purchase your copy, download and complete this form. Proceeds support the Oak Harbor High School’s Wildcat TV Program. Purchase here>

Land Legacies: Protecting Land with the Land Trust explores why people in our community support land protection and the Land Trust. It includes great shots of our local scenery! To purchase this DVD, drop by or call the Land Trust at (360) 222-310 to place your order.

Holiday Open House

2009-11-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, December 9
5:00 – 7:00 pm

RSVP: jan@wclt.org

Join us to celebrate a great year for land protection. See our new office expansion. Enjoy a beautiful photo montage and the inspiring short films from our October 3rd celebration.

We’ll also be selecting four winners to go on an inter-island cruise next year. Bring your completed Land Trust Passports to the office, no later than 6 pm on December 9, so you can participate in the drawing.

Register Online Today – Ebey’s Forever Conference November 6 & 7!

2009-11-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Join the Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve in celebration of America’s rural roots for the 2nd Ebey’s Forever Conference, November 6 & 7, 2009 in Coupeville, Whidbey Island, Washington.

Sessions are filling up quickly - register today at:

ebeysforever.com

Ebey’s Forever Conference & Community Event features a new slate of behind-the-scenes field trips, hands-on workshops, music and a taste of Ebey’s – hosted by leading voices in agriculture, historic preservation and sustainability. Whether you are a local resident, visitor, or striving to make a difference in your own community, this event promises to provide tangible tools, inspiration and fun!

Judy Wicks, nationally recognized food entrepreneur promoting local economies through service, community, employees and the natural environment will key note the conference.

Planting the Prairie at the Naas Natural Area Preserve

2009-11-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

After months of preparation and a prescribed burn in September, we are now preparing to plant approximately 20,000 prairie plants in the prairie restoration areas at the Naas Preserve. Volunteers, staff and contractors will be working together to share the fun.

Crew size for each of the three days will be limited to 6 people, but with volunteers working alongside experienced personnel. On-site training will be provided along with all of the necessary tools (and yummy refreshments). The dates and times for each shift are listed below. We may also need a few volunteers for the following week (November 16-19) to assist a contracted restoration crew.

If you are interested in helping, please RSVP with the date and time that you prefer. It is a first-come first-served arrangement, so please let us know soon. We will send you details and directions the week before the planting.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

To RSVP contact Jessica Larson at Jessica@wclt.org or call 360-222-3310 to reserve your spot.

Naas Volunteer Planting Dates

Wednesday Nov. 11
9 - 12 noon
1 - 4 pm

Thursday, Nov. 12
9 - 12 noon
1 - 4 pm

Friday, Nov. 13
9 - 12 noon
1 - 4 pm

Also, please let us know if you are available and interested in working for a morning or afternoon with a contracted restoration crew during the week of November 16-19th.

Relive the Magic

2009-10-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

On October 3, 2009, more than 350 people celebrated the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary at the Coupeville Performing Arts Center. Guests enjoyed a beautiful photo slideshow, short films, a delicious ‘islands’ cake by J.W. Desserts, and a live concert by Grammy award winning artists, Tingstad and Rumbel. We honored local residents for their ‘Citizen Conservation’ over the last decades. The evening’s keynote speaker, State Attorney General Rob McKenna, commended land conservation in our communities and applauded our Land Trust, "History has been made here. Land trusts are a newer idea than national parks, but they are gaining more and more importance. The record of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust is the best in the state, maybe the United States." Thank you to all who attended and those who supported this magical evening.

see photos from the evening here>

Land Trust Staff Attend National Conference

2009-10-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Between October 10 and 14, the entire Land Trust staff was in Portland, Oregon at the Land Trust Alliance's national conference. In these past several days, our staff attended workshops and seminars led by field experts and renowned speakers on topics ranging from fundraising and finance to land protection, stewardship, and conservation technology. Our staff also met with land protection professionals from around the country to share experiences and information that helps improve our efforts. We are excited to apply many of the things we learned to our work here on Whidbey and Camano Islands!

The Land Trust Alliance is a professional organization that has worked for more than 25 years with the national land conservation community to quickly, effectively, and permanently save our most valued natural places across America. To learn more about them, their national conference, known as "Rally" and how you can be a part of the Land Trust Alliance, visit LTA's website,www.landtrustalliance.org.

We Have New Hats and Shirts!

2009-10-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

BALL CAPS, BUCKETS, and T-Shirts - $20.00 EACH

Visit us at the Land Trust office at Greenbank Farm to purchase your quintessential Land Trust gear! We think you’ll be proud to wear our high-quality hat embroidered with our logo and new tagline on the back. Or, purchase an organic cotton longsleeved shirt with our commemorative 25th anniversary design on the back – just in time for fall! We still have cotton and rip-stop bucket hats too.

Available sizes: Ball caps are adjustable, bucket hats are available in small and large sizes, and shirts are available in small, medium, and large.

There's Still Time - Sign Up for 25th Anniversary Celebration!

2009-09-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Coupeville High School - Performing Arts Center - 501 South Main Street

Saturday, October 3

7:00 – 10:00 pm

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust invites the community to an evening of celebration. Program highlights include a live music concert by the Grammy award-winning duo Tingstad & Rumbel and a keynote address by Attorney General, Rob McKenna. The program also features landscape photographs, recognition of local conservation heroes, and two short films including one produced by Oak Harbor High School students. During intermission, desserts will be offered, including a special “Islands” cake designed by J.W. Desserts.

Admission is $10 per person. Reserve your seat at the Land Trust office or by phone at (360) 222-3310.

Governor and Others Proclaim "Whidbey Camano Land Trust Week"

2009-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

September 27 – October 3 has been officially proclaimed in Washington State as “Whidbey Camano Land Trust Week” by Governor Gregoire. She was joined by the City of Langley, Town of Coupeville and the City of Oak Harbor, each of whom adopted separate proclamations. These proclamations recognize the Land Trust’s important work and its dedication to conserving Whidbey and Camano Islands’ most important natural habitats, scenic vistas, and working farms and forests in partnership with the community.

To celebrate this inaugural week and the Land Trust’s 25th anniversary, the Land Trust invites its members and the community to celebrate. The week opens with tours to many of the Land Trust’s protected properties and ends with an event-filled evening celebration at the Coupeville High School’s Performing Arts Center.

Learn more about how you can participate here:

Land Tours
25th Anniversary Celebration

Prairie Restoration at Naas Natural Area Preserve

2009-09-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

For thousands of years before European settlement, Native Americans harvested the bounty of Puget Sound prairies for food and medicine. They burned the prairies regularly to keep out encroaching shrubs and trees and to encourage proliferation of specific wildflowers and bulbs. After European settlement, the vast majority of prairie lands were converted to farmland and then later to residential and commercial uses. Now, less than 1% of the original prairies on Whidbey Island remain, including a remnant on the Land Trust’s Naas Natural Area Preserve.

Rare prairie species are dependent on periodic fires to control competition and create favorable conditions for seed germination. One of the primary goals of the burn was to remove competing species so that native species can become re-established. The prescribed fire sets the stage for the next step. As part of the Land Trust’s 5-year Stewardship Plan, they made arrangements with five different nurseries to grow more than 40,000 plants (25 different species) that will be planted out this fall. In addition, Land Trust volunteers and staff have been collecting seed which will be sown directly onto the soil in some plots.

This carefully orchestrated prescribed burn at Naas and others that occurred the same day at the AuSable Institute and near Ebey’s Landing, are the first on Whidbey Island in many years. It was the product of an important collaboration between the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, the AuSable Institute, University of Washington, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wild Mountain Fire and Forestry Inc.

Management activities at the Naas Preserve are funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

See photo album>

Fall Land Tour Dates Announced

2009-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sample some of our preserves over the weekend.

We will be on Camano Island on Saturday, September 26 and invite you to a guided walk to see our protected tidelands at Livingston Bay. The walk includes a special visit to a newly acquired nearshore pocket estuary protected by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. On Sunday, go green and go one of two bus routes on Whidbey Island where you’ll visit three properties protected by the Land Trust. Tickets for the bus tours are $15 a person and include a snack and drink. See complete schedule and itinerary here>

Tickets for 25th Anniversary Celebration Now Available

2009-09-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Coupeville Performing Arts Center - 501 South Main Street

Saturday, October 3

7:00 – 10:00 pm

Estate Planning Seminar

2009-07-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

Puget Sound Energy Conference Room, Freeland

Thursday, July 30, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust invites its members and the community to attend this free seminar on estate planning. Tom Haensly, an attorney who specializes in estate planning and land conservation, will explain legal options available to make sure your estate plan supports the things you most value.

Topics covered in this seminar include:

Trusts
Wills
Taxes
Business Structures
Incorporating land conservation into your estate

Our Speaker - Tom Haensly

Tom Haensly has a law degree from Stanford and a masters degree in Wildlife Ecology. Mr. Haensly advises on estate planning, including land and asset protection options, choices of entities for managing and preserving family businesses and land, and tax consequences of charitable contributions and land conveyances. He also advises on real estate, land use and environmental matters, including land conservation strategies, property acquisitions, permitting, subdivision, and regulation of sensitive areas.

Land Trust offering two guided forest walks

2009-07-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Harry's Forest Forever, South Whidbey Island

Saturday, July 25
10:00 am – noon and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Last December, Mr. Harry Case worked with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust to make sure that his 176 acre forest will never be developed and will stay a forest forever. As a result, Harry and his “Forest Forever” on South Whidbey Island were recently featured in the Seattle Times and on KIRO 7 news, where he was one of five finalists for the Cox Conserves Heroes award (see video). Now you can see this forest first hand by joining the Land Trust on a guided walk. Led by Land Trust staff and Harry’s grandson, Shawn Connor, see these beautiful woods and learn more about the forest, how it is sustainably managed, and why it was protected by the Land Trust.

Please register soon as spots are limited. Directions will be provided upon registration. You may register by calling (360) 222-3310 or emailing info@wclt.org.

WCLT News & Activities

This blog has moved

Discover a different kind of agriculture: tour a conifer seed orchard in Ebey’s Reserve

Hammons Preserve Work Party (near Cultus Bay)

Naas Preserve (near Coupeville) Work Party

Saratoga Woods work party

Hammons Preserve Work Party

Getting to the Fairfax Preserve

Land Trust Co-Sponsors Regional Conference

with Society for Ecological Restoration

Land Trust at Sound Waters - Saturday, 2/6

Hammons Work Party – Thursday 2/11

9:00 am - noon

Last Chance to Get Your Passport Stamps

Land Trust DVDs Now For Sale

Holiday Open House

Wednesday, December 95:00 – 7:00 pm

Register Online Today – Ebey’s Forever Conference November 6 & 7!

Sessions are filling up quickly - register today at:

Planting the Prairie at the Naas Natural Area Preserve

Naas Volunteer Planting Dates

Relive the Magic

Land Trust Staff Attend National Conference

We Have New Hats and Shirts!

BALL CAPS, BUCKETS, and T-Shirts - $20.00 EACH

There's Still Time - Sign Up for 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Coupeville High School - Performing Arts Center - 501 South Main Street

Saturday, October 3

7:00 – 10:00 pm

Governor and Others Proclaim "Whidbey Camano Land Trust Week"

Prairie Restoration at Naas Natural Area Preserve

Fall Land Tour Dates Announced

Sample some of our preserves over the weekend.

Tickets for 25th Anniversary Celebration Now Available

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Coupeville Performing Arts Center - 501 South Main Street

Saturday, October 3

7:00 – 10:00 pm

Estate Planning Seminar

Puget Sound Energy Conference Room, Freeland

Our Speaker - Tom Haensly

Land Trust offering two guided forest walks

Harry's Forest Forever, South Whidbey Island

Wednesday, December 9
5:00 – 7:00 pm