Over the last few months, staff, volunteers, and partner agencies alike have been busy collaborating on county conservation efforts.
Bat boxes waiting for installation at North Shore Preserve
Habitat enhancement highlights include Bat boxes built by a Girl Scout delivered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for installation across many Land Bank preserves and coverboards set out by Kwiáht herpetologist, Christian Oldham, to attract reptiles and amphibians yielded another sighting of the elusive sharp-tailed snake at Orcas Island’s Turtleback Mountain Preserve. Christian also has funding to monitor amphibians in the pond at North Shore Preserve and installed a game camera in the vicinity. We’re looking forward to future video!
ICC widening switchbacks and re-building retaining walls at Coho Preserve
Proposals for future restoration projects were submitted to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) by conservation partners, including the Department of Environmental Stewardship and Friends of the San Juans, to improve habitat and water quality at Richardson Marsh, Zylstra Lake, and False Bay Creek. And two preserve management plan drafts (Richardson Marsh on Lopez and Crescent Beach on Orcas) were completed and shared with the public for comment. Next step for the management plans will be adoption by County Council.
Trail building workshop led by SJI Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen
Lastly, staff hosted a trail building workshop, built and upgraded trails, and removed noxious weeds on preserves across all three islands. These tasks were often performed in the good company of volunteers, the Island Conservation Corps (ICC), and staff from the County’s Noxious Weed Board, with “special guest appearance” from Washington Trails Association (WTA).
And these are just the highlights! We invite you to view our Stewardship Reports and learn more about what your Conservation Land Bank accomplishes monthly.