Fran Burnside grew up exploring the beaches, tide flats, creeks and marshes of her family’s historic property on Elger Bay.  In 2018, she donated the remaining 38 acres to the Land Trust, on behalf of her family, for the permanent protection of its important fish and wildlife habitat.  Elger Bay is one of Island County’s few undiked estuaries, and critical habitat for salmon and shorebirds. If possible in the future, limited parking and a simple wildlife viewing platform will give visitors a closer look at this important wetland ecosystem. In 2020, the Land Trust acquired 20 more acres to expand the preserve.