San Juan County Conservation Land Bank

Volunteer Event | Planting Party at North Shore Preserve, Orcas Island
2025-11-23 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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.

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 | 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!

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.

Monthly Commission Meeting
2025-09-19 08:45 - 11:10, 2025-08-15 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.

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 .

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.

Partner Event | Growing Old Growth: The Relationships That Define the Future of Our Forests - Lecture
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:30
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.

Volunteer Event | Third Thursdays at The Salish Seeds Project
2025-08-28 08:00 - 17:00
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.
NOTE: August’s work party is the Fourth Thursday of the month

Partner Event | Free Guided Poetry Sessions with Island Verse Literary Collective at Mount Grant Preserve
2025-08-26 18:00 - 20:00
Join Island Verse Literary Collective (IVLC) for a Writers’ Circle series: Poetry of Place with Land Bank preserves. Our last stop in this series will be at Mount Grant Preserve.
Please give yourself ample time before 6pm to meet at the summit; you will need to hike up from the main parking lot (~1 mile). If you have accessibility concerns with hiking, please let us know and we can make accommodations.
Bring writing supplies, something comfy to sit on the ground (otherwise pull up on a patch grass), snacks, bug spray, and water.
Whether you seek adventure, tranquility, or a deeper connection with nature, these beautiful landscapes offer something for everyone and IVLC is excited to offer the community these free writing workshops in August.
Click here to register.

Partner Event | Afternoon Adventures - Fourth Monday Nature Walk at Limekiln Preserve, San Juan Island
2025-08-25 13:00 - 15:00
Get in touch with nature and its many benefits this summer! Land Bank staff member, Tanja Williamson, will lead a series of walks on Land Bank preserves across San Juan Island. These walks are geared towards seniors (60+) and great for the beginner to intermediate walker.
We’ll leave from the Mullis Community Senior Center at 1pm and head to the Westside Pond Loop at Limekiln Preserve. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring any water/snacks you may want for an enjoyable excursion.
Registration required to plan accordingly for transportation from the Mullis Center. Please contact Anna at info@mulliscenter.org or phone 360-370-4015 to register and let her know if you’ll be riding with the group or providing your own transportation.

Partner Event | Free Guided Poetry Sessions with Island Verse Literary Collective at Third Lagoon Preserve
2025-08-19 18:00 - 20:00
Join Island Verse Literary Collective (IVLC) for a Writers’ Circle series: Poetry of Place with Land Bank preserves. Our third stop in this series will be at Third Lagoon Preserve.
Please meet shortly before 6pm at the parking area at the very end of Cattle Point Road by Fish Creek.
Bring writing supplies, something comfy to sit on the ground (otherwise pull up on a patch grass), snacks, bug spray, and water.
Whether you seek adventure, tranquility, or a deeper connection with nature, these beautiful landscapes offer something for everyone and IVLC is excited to offer the community these free writing workshops in August.
Click here to register.

San Juan County Fair
2025-08-17 10:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-16 10:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-15 10:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-14 10:30 - 20:30
Join us for the 2025 San Juan County Fair! Your Conservation Land Bank will be located in the Green Village, next to the Ag Tent, along with partner organizations Wolf Hollow, San Juan County Environmental Stewardship , The Whale Museum, San Juan Islands Conservation Corps, and San Juan Islands National Monument and Bureau of Land Management, and Lautenbach Recycling.
The Green Village and WSU Extension have a great speaker series! Check out today’s below.

Update and Input Session on Management of Northern Pike in Westside Lake
2025-08-13 17:00 - 18:30
The Land Bank and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife invite local residents to attend a public meeting at the San Juan Island Grange to discuss the proposed management and treatment approach for Northern Pike in Westside Lake within the Limekiln Preserve.
The meeting will also be hosted on Zoom. CLICK HERE to join Zoom Meeting.
For more information regarding the project, click here to read WDFW’s press release.

Partner Event | Free Guided Poetry Sessions with Island Verse Literary Collective at Westside Preserve
2025-08-12 18:00 - 20:00
Join Island Verse Literary Collective (IVLC) for a Writers’ Circle series: Poetry of Place with Land Bank preserves. Our second stop in this series will be at Westside Preserve.
Please meet shortly before 6pm at the parking area at the middle pullout.
Bring writing supplies, something comfy to sit on the ground (otherwise pull up on a patch grass), snacks, bug spray, and water.
Whether you seek adventure, tranquility, or a deeper connection with nature, these beautiful landscapes offer something for everyone and IVLC is excited to offer the community these free writing workshops in August.
Click here to register.

Partner Event | Free Guided Poetry Sessions with Island Verse Literary Collective at Zylstra Lake Preserve
2025-08-05 18:00 - 20:00
Join Island Verse Literary Collective (IVLC) for a Writers’ Circle series: Poetry of Place with Land Bank preserves.
Please meet shortly before 6pm at the parking area.
Bring writing supplies, something comfy to sit on the ground (otherwise pull up on a patch grass), snacks, bug spray, and water.
Whether you seek adventure, tranquility, or a deeper connection with nature, these beautiful landscapes offer something for everyone and IVLC is excited to offer the community these free writing workshops in August.

Public Scoping Meeting for Beaverton Marsh Preserve | San Juan Island
2025-07-31 18:00 - 19:00
Join the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank for a public scoping meeting and help shape an updated Beaverton Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP).
The meeting will take place from 6pm to 7pm at the Mullis Community Senior Center located at 589 Nash Street, Friday Harbor. The community is invited to learn about potential stewardship actions as well as identify issues or concerns that may be addressed in the planning process.
Can’t make the meeting in person? Meeting materials will be uploaded by Friday, July 25. Written comments can be submitted by email to tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Partner Event | Afternoon Adventures - Fourth Monday Nature Walk at Beaverton Marsh Preserve, San Juan Island
2025-07-28 13:00 - 15:00
Get in touch with nature and its many benefits this summer! Land Bank staff member, Tanja Williamson, will lead a series of walks on Land Bank preserves across San Juan Island. These walks are geared towards seniors (60+) and great for the beginner to intermediate walker.
We’ll leave from the Mullis Community Senior Center at 1pm and will walk the Nuthatch/Dragonfly Loop at Beaverton Marsh Preserve. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring any water/snacks you may want for an enjoyable excursion.
Registration required to plan accordingly for transportation from the Mullis Center. Please contact Anna at info@mulliscenter.org or phone 360-370-4015 to register and let her know if you’ll be riding with the group or providing your own transportation.

Partner Event | Free Guided Painting Session with Alchemy Art Center at Westside Preserve, San Juan Island
2025-07-27 09:00 - 12:00
Join Alchemy Art Center for a three-hour painting session focused at the Third Pullout at Westside Preserve. Participants of all skill levels are invited to connect with nature and create artworks inspired by our Islands’ landscapes.
What to Expect:

Guided Painting: Each session will be led by Glenn Hendrick. Expect a short settling in period with a mindfulness exercise, followed by a demo on how to get started. Light guidance provided throughout the session.
Natural Inspiration: Participants will enjoy inspiration from the vibrant flora and diverse wildlife.
Materials: Alchemy will have some supplies on hand (acrylics and painting brushes) however, participants are encouraged to bring any materials (paper, paint, drawing supplies, easels, etc) that they are excited to work with. Materials questions can be directed to Glenn at glenn@alchemyartcenter.com
Relaxing Atmosphere: Enjoy a peaceful and supportive environment, perfect for both beginner and experienced painters.

Additional Information:

Registration: Space is limited to 15 participants; please register in advance to secure your spot. Email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@rqg.mhr.mybluehost.me or call 360-370-7655.
What to Bring: We recommend bringing a water bottle, snack, and a portable chair or blanket for your comfort.
Limited parking available – carpooling is recommended.

For more information or to register, contact Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@rqg.mhr.mybluehost.me.
