Partner Event | Growing Old Growth: The Relationships That Define the Future of Our Forests - Lecture
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
It is often said that “time heals all wounds.” But what if, for our second and third-growth Douglas-fir forests, time alone may not be enough? What does it actually take to “grow” a healthy old-growth forest?
Join Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation as he shares methods he has developed to help dense young forests recover from over a century of land use impacts, and make the case for why the time for action is now.*
This free lecture will cover intermediate and advanced topics for anyone who has or loves forests and is hosted in partnership with the San Juan Islands Conservation District.
Location: Marie Boe Building located within the San Juan County Fairgrounds at 849 Argyle Avenue, Friday Harbor.
The meeting will also be available for streaming via Zoom. Click here to join virtually.
Meeting ID: 871 2845 4154
*Free Field Seminar Friday, September 5.

Partner Event | Growing Old Growth: The Relationships That Define the Future of Our Forests - Field Seminar
2025-09-05 09:00 - 11:00
Get your hands dirty with Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation as he implements his methods to help dense young forests recover from over a century of land use impacts.
This interactive field seminar is hosted in partnership with the San Juan Islands Conservation District and promises to deepen your understanding and appreciation of healthy old-growth forests.
Space is limited – email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org to register and for more information.

Volunteer Event | Third Thursdays at The Salish Seeds Project
2025-09-18 09:00 - 12:00
You’re invited to join other native plant lovers at the Salish Seeds Project nursery on San Juan Island every third Thursday of the month, April – October. Tasks vary by the season, and can include weeding, seeding, thinning, transplanting, harvesting seed, spreading woodchips, pruning, and watering. Tools are provided, but please bring gloves, water, and anything else you may need for the morning. As an added bonus, volunteers can take home any “orphan” plants on hand.
The Salish Seeds Project is a joint program of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust. Click here to learn more.
Registration is requested. R.S.V.P. to Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@rqg.mhr.mybluehost.me .

Monthly Commission Meeting
2025-09-19 08:45 - 11:10, 2026-01-16 08:45 - 11:10, 2026-02-20 08:45 - 11:10, 2026-03-20 08:45 - 11:10
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting 8:45am-11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the San Juan Island Grange located at 152 First Street North. The public is invited to attend.
Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.

Fall Great Islands Clean Up
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00
Make a difference in the community, with a beach or roadside clean – the more people who come together, the bigger the impact!
Volunteers will meet, choose a site, head out with provided gloves, bags, and pickers, and then return to the meeting point to see how much trash they removed. Find your islands meeting location by visiting: plasticfreesalishsea.org/events.
This effort happens every fall and spring and is led by the County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship Solid Waste Program, and powered by partnerships with The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services, Lautenbach Recycling, Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District, San Juan Sanitation, Friends of the San Juans, the Stewardship Network of the San Juans, and numerous individual, business, and service group volunteers. The event is made possible through funding from the WA Department of Ecology’s Community Litter Cleanup Program.

Partner Event | Apple-Palooza at North Shore Preserve, Orcas Island
2025-10-11 10:00 - 14:00
Gather your apples and gardening tools and join Land Bank staff and partners at North Shore Preserve for a half-day event focused on heritage apples!
Kwiáht’s Madrona Murphy and local apple expert, Lori Brakken, will be on hand to identity apples from the preserve as well as any that community members bring from home. We will pick North Shore apples for tasting and pressing and include apples Madrona has collected from around the islands.
Local landscaper and orchard expert Marguerite Greening will provide an overview of pruning and tool maintenance techniques and share her expertise in rehabilitating an abandoned orchard. She’ll also discuss the potential for additional plantings and grafting at North Shore Preserve. Participants will be invited to join in the long-term stewardship of the old orchard.
Rain or shine!

Volunteer Event | Third Thursdays at the Salish Seeds Project
2025-10-16 09:00 - 12:00
You’re invited to join other native plant lovers at the Salish Seeds Project nursery on San Juan Island every third Thursday of the month, April – October. Tasks vary by the season, and can include weeding, seeding, thinning, transplanting, harvesting seed, spreading woodchips, pruning, and watering. Tools are provided, but please bring gloves, water, and anything else you may need for the morning. As an added bonus, volunteers can take home any “orphan” plants on hand.
The Salish Seeds Project is a joint program of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust. Click here to learn more.
Registration is requested. R.S.V.P. to Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Partner Event | Sowing and Growing Native Wildflowers
2025-10-16 17:30 - 19:00
Salish Seeds Project nursery manager, Eliza Habegger, shares how to build resilience with local wildflowers. This presentation is part of the San Juan Island Grange’s monthly “Island Resilience Series.”
Growing native plants helps pollinators, biodiversity and climate resilience. Eliza will explain how to grow these beauties from seed in containers and directly in the ground. Learn the basics of seed-sowing and seed-saving, how to choose plants for your site, and how to care for them. Native wildflowers can succeed on farms, in pots, in backyards, even as living roofs. Participants will take home seed samples to plant at home.
This free event takes place at the San Juan Island Grange located at 152 First Street in Friday Harbor.

Monthly Commission Meeting
2025-10-17 08:45 - 11:10
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting 8:45am-11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Orcas Island Fire Hall located at 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound. The public is invited to attend.
Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.

Partner Event | Sowing and Growing Native Wildflowers, Lopez Island
2025-10-19 15:00 - 17:00
Broaden your gardening horizons with native wildflowers! Growing native plants helps pollinators, biodiversity and climate resilience. Eliza Habegger, nursery manager for the Salish Seeds Project, will explain how to grow these beauties from seed in containers and directly in the ground. You’ll learn the basics of seed-sowing and seed-saving, how to choose plants for your site, and how to care for them. Take home seed samples to plant at home.
This free event takes place at the Lopez Island Grange in partnership with the WSU San Juan County Extension Master Gardener Program.

Partner Event | Sowing and Growing Native Wildflowers, Orcas Island
2025-10-26 15:00 - 17:00
Broaden your gardening horizons with native wildflowers! Growing native plants helps pollinators, biodiversity and climate resilience. Eliza Habegger, nursery manager for the Salish Seeds Project, will explain how to grow these beauties from seed in containers and directly in the ground. You’ll learn the basics of seed-sowing and seed-saving, how to choose plants for your site, and how to care for them. Take home seed samples to plant at home.
This free event takes place at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Hall in partnership with the WSU San Juan County Extension Master Gardener Program.

Fall 2025 County-Wide Community Conversation
2025-10-28 17:30 - 18:30
Created in 2021, Community Conversations emerged out of a desire to continue offering “Town Hall” public meetings whilst working in the world’s new, remote reality. What began as an online solution for public engagement, transformed into a bi-annual hybrid public meeting series. To date, the Land Bank has hosted 14 Community Conversation meetings.
Click here to learn more and register for the Fall 2025 County-Wide Community Conversation.

Monthly Commission Meeting
2025-11-14 08:00 - 10:30
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting 8am-10:30am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center located at 23 Pear Tree Lane, Lopez Island. The public is invited to attend.
Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at Watmough Bay Preserve Addition, Lopez Island
2025-11-21 10:00 - 12:00
You’re invited to a Planting Party!
Last fall, the Land Bank removed an old sport court and volunteers helped to replant the uncovered soil with native plants. Now we’re ready to fill in the area and expand native habitat by planting more shrubs, grasses and wildflowers.
We’ll meet in the main parking lot and hike up. Rain or shine!
For more information contact Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at North Shore Preserve, Orcas Island
2025-11-23 10:00 - 12:00
You’re invited to a Planting Party! Fall is a great time to get plants in the ground to establish strong root systems over the winter. Share your Sunday morning with Land Bank staff, planting herbaceous plants around the wetlands and elsewhere. We’ll meet in the main parking lot. Rain or shine!
For more information contact Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at Westside Preserve, San Juan Island
2025-12-18 10:00 - 15:00
UPDATE DEC 17: CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
We’re throwing a POP UP Planting Party – with a view! Join staff at Westside Preserve for restoration work above the Goldenback Trail. We’ll take advantage of earlier burn piles and fill in and expand native habitat by planting more shrubs, grasses and wildflowers.
Park at the pullout across from Goldenback Trailhead (third pullout) and hike up the trail to meet staff. If anyone is unable to hike up the trail, please email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or phone 360-370-7655 to arrange carpool/shuttle with staff.

Monthly Commission Meeting and Annual Retreat
2025-12-19 08:40 - 14:00
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold an abbreviated monthly meeting and annual retreat Friday, December 19. The monthly meeting is scheduled for 8:40am – 9am. The annual retreat is scheduled for 9am – 2:10pm. The meeting will be in person only in the Commons Room at the UW Friday Harbor Labs campus, located at 620 University Road, Friday Harbor. The public is invited to attend.
Click HERE to download the agenda and meeting materials.

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at Westside Preserve, San Juan Island
2026-01-19 10:00 - 14:00
Planting Party with a view RE-DUX!
Join staff at Westside Preserve for restoration work above the Goldenback Trail. We’ll take advantage of earlier burn piles and fill in and expand native habitat by planting more shrubs, grasses and wildflowers.
Park at the pullout across from Goldenback Trailhead (third pullout) and hike up the trail to meet staff. If anyone is unable to hike up the trail, please email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or phone 360-370-7655 to arrange carpool/shuttle with staff.

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at Crescent Beach Preserve, Orcas Island
2026-01-31 10:00 - 14:00
Join your island neighbors and Land Bank staff for guaranteed fun as we install thousands of plants following the recent completion of forest thinning at Crescent Beach Preserve!
Plants will include forbs such as native violets and goldenrods, as well as bareroot trees and shrubs such as Douglas maple, flowering dogwood, mock orange, gooseberry, red flowering currant and many more.
Park at either the Crescent Beach Drive or Mount Baker Road parking lots and walk about halfway into the preserve to the planting spot.
Please bring gloves and water. Staff will provide shovels.
RSVP appreciated but not required.

Guided Bird Walk at Channel Preserve, Lopez Island
2026-02-13 10:00 - 12:00
Connect to birds, nature, and community – join us for the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! Preserve Steward, Amanda Wedow, will lead a walk down the trail to the beach, taking time to observe birds in a variety of habitats: forest and shoreline.
No birding experience necessary. If you’d like an intro prior to the walk, be sure to check out our Birding 101 recording on YouTube. Bring binoculars if you have ’em! Waterproof boots recommended.
The GBBC — hosted in partnership with Cornell Lab, National Audubon Society and Birds Canada (Oiseaux Canada) — is a global citizen science event aimed at tracking bird populations and migration patterns.

Partner Event | Guided Bird Walk at Zylstra Lake Preserve, San Juan Island
2026-02-14 09:00 - 11:00
The Land Bank is partnering with the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center for their February Screen Free Saturday! Step away from the screen and spend the morning at Zylstra Lake Preserve to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count with local birding enthusiast, Shona Aitken.
No birding experience necessary. If you’d like an intro prior to the walk, be sure to check out our Birding 101 recording on YouTube. Bring binoculars if you have ’em! For more information contact Caleb at 360-378-5246 or email calebs@jlsfrc.org.
The GBBC — hosted in partnership with Cornell Lab, National Audubon Society and Birds Canada (Oiseaux Canada) — is a global citizen science event aimed at tracking bird populations and migration patterns.

Open House | Beaverton Marsh Trail Update
2026-03-04 17:30 - 19:30
Stop by our open house at the Mullis Community Senior Center for an in-person update on the Beaverton Marsh Trail! Enjoy light refreshments while checking out our current design and peruse project maps.
Land Bank staff and commissioners look forward to sharing our progress thus far and answering any questions.
For more information contact Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or phone 360-370-7655.

San Juan Island Farmers Market
2026-03-07 09:30 - 13:00
Find us at the San Juan Island Farmers Market today along with San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Public Tour | Beaverton Marsh Preserve, San Juan Island
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00
Join Land Bank Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, on a walk through Beaverton Marsh Preserve to learn more about its DRAFT Stewardship and Management Plan the Land Bank’s plans for restoration, cultural access, regenerative agriculture, trails and interpretation.
Meet at Halvorsen Road Trailhead. Limited parking – carpooling encouraged. Dress for the weather; muck boots recommended.
Contact tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or phone 360-370-7655 for more information.

Public Scoping Meeting on the Stewardship and Management Plan for Beaverton Marsh Preserve
2026-03-18 17:30 - 19:00
Join the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank for a public scoping meeting and help shape the Beaverton Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP).
The meeting will take place at the Mullis Community Senior Center. The public is encouraged to help identify issues or concerns that should be addressed in the planning process.
Can’t make the meeting in person? Click here to view the DRAFT SMP. Written comments can be submitted by email to tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

March Turtleback March
2026-03-21 11:00 - 13:00
Turtleback Mountain Preserve turns 20 this year and we’re celebrating with an “Up and Over” hike! Join staff for a walk, north to south, and learn about recent and upcoming stewardship projects while enjoying the early signs of spring on the mountain.
The hike begins promptly at 11am at the South Trailhead parking area (Deer Harbor Rd./Wild Rose Lane) where hikers will catch a shuttle to the North Trailhead. Then it’s “up and over” the mountain on a 5 mile hike back to your car.
Be sure to dress for the weather, bring water/snacks and, most importantly, friends!
Pre-registration is required as space is limited. RSVP to Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Public Meeting about Limited Deer Hunting on Two Orcas Island Preserves
2026-03-23 17:00 - 19:00
Join the Land Bank, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and representatives of area treaty tribes to learn about a collaborative proposal for allowing limited opportunities to hunt deer on two Orcas Island preserves, Turtleback Mountain and North Shore.
The current hunting proposal includes opening a select area of Turtleback Mountain to state hunters during early-modern season and offering roughly a two-week period on either preserve for tribal hunting. Managers will share details about this proposal and be available to answer questions.
This meeting will be held in-person at the Orcas Island Fire Hall from 5pm to 7pm. Community members may also join virtually via Zoom.
Please click here to register to attend virtually via Zoom.
Can’t make the meeting? A recording of the meeting will be made available, and emailed comments to erinh@sjclandbank.org will be accepted until 5pm on Monday, April 6, 2026.
