In spring of 2022, your Land Bank stepped up to purchase the last unprotected parcel along Watmough Bay. Watmough Head, as it’s locally known, fit perfectly into the larger portfolio of nearly 400 acres of Bureau of Land Management public lands designated within the San Juan Islands National Monument and adjacent private lands protected under conservation easement. The acquisition completed a decades-long goal of creating a contiguous conservation area in southeast Lopez.
Over the last two years staff have sought funding partners, initiated cultural, historic and ecological resource assessments, and completed site cleanup, safety measures, and habitat enhancement projects. Public input into long-term stewardship has been sought through public meetings, guided tours and volunteer events. The Land Bank applied for and was awarded two state grants from the Recreation and Conservation Office towards the acquisition and is in the process of completing grant requirements.
While we are eager to open this special place for public access as soon as possible, we are taking into consideration the community’s concerns regarding hunting along the trail access. Staff will utilize the fall and winter seasons completing site work and enhancement projects on the Preserve (click here to volunteer for our November 22 planting party) with plans to celebrate the trail opening Saturday, May 3, 2025! In the meantime, public input into the long-term Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP) is completed and the Land Bank commission will review the final SMP for approval at its scheduled November 15 meeting on Lopez.