Director’s Note | Fall 2025

It’s migration season – Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) at Weeks Wetland on Lopez Island, Snow geese (Anser caerulescens) at Zylstra Lake on San Juan Island and Red breasted mergansers and harlequin ducks in our coves. Bird watching vs yellow jacket swatting is one of many highlights to the changing season. And with a few weeks of reasonably good weather still ahead we hope everyone will have a chance to see some of what we do firsthand. Read on for the details!

Turtleback Mountain Preserve

Crescent Beach Preserve

Check out the recently completed forest thinning work at Crescent Beach Preserve or visit the refurbished trailhead at the south Turtleback Mountain Preserve entrance on Orcas. Walk the Weeks Wetland trail and boardwalk to the revamped platform. It’s just south of the village on Lopez. There’s a lot more and it’s all waiting for you.

For my part, I am incredibly fortunate to work with our staff and volunteers who do so many different things and do them well. Speaking of volunteers, our Land Bank Commission has two openings for the 2026-2030 term. If you have an interest in conservation and working with dedicated staff, we’d love to hear from you! Visit our news page to learn more: sjclandbank.org/news.