Director’s Note | Winter 2025

Photo credit: Katy Foster

A year ago, I shared my immense gratitude for the community’s renewal of our Real Estate Excise Tax funding – without it, this year’s achievements may have looked quite different. That gratitude holds today, and I am pleased to share highlights of 2025’s achievements: opening Watmough Head on Lopez Island; restoration accomplishments; expanding community agriculture as well as conservation with acquisitions on Orcas and Blakely Islands. We also hosted close to 90 community events and collaborated with over 40 partner agencies, including local conservation corps partners (ICC, YCC, and CSYC), as well as state (WCC).

As we look to 2026, staff is energized and ready for the biggest project the Land Bank has seen since Turtleback Mountain – expanding public trail access from the Town of Friday Harbor out to Beaverton Marsh Preserve! Much work has been happening behind the scenes and we look forward to hosting public meetings and walks in early 2026. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media and/or sign up for our e-list serve for updates.