San Juan County Conservation Land Bank

Volunteer Event | Third Thursdays at The Salish Seeds Project
2024-06-20 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 required. R.S.V.P. to Tanja Williamson at 360-370-7655 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org .

Volunteer Event | Trail Construction
2024-06-18 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-13 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-11 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-08 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-06 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-04 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-28 10:00 - 15:00
Stewardship staff is putting the finishing touches on a new section of multi purpose trail between Beaverton Marsh Preserve to/from John O. Linde Community Park!
Email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org to learn more or volunteer on the project.

Cady Mountain Preserve on San Juan Island Opens for Public Access
2024-06-15 11:00 - 15:00
Over nearly 20 years, the Land Bank has endeavored to conserve portions of Cady Mountain – piecing together six separate transactions between 2003 – 2022, culminating in 470 acres protected. Today the heart of San Juan Island officially opens for day-use public access!
Join staff and commissioners from the Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust at Cady Mountain Preserve for opening day festivities. Meander the Preserve’s 2-mile trail from the new trailhead at Three Corner Lake Road to the scenic lookout above West Valley Road on your own or join a scheduled guided tour (see schedule left).
Due to limited on-site parking, the Land Bank has organized a roundtrip shuttle bus from Friday Harbor to the Preserve. You can catch the shuttle at the County Courthouse parking area located at the corner of Second Street and Blair Avenue. The shuttle will pick up and drop off on the half hour, starting with a 10:45am pick up at the County Courthouse.
Questions? Contact Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or call 360-370-7655.

Guided Walk at Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
2024-06-13 16:00 - 17:30
Join Conservation Land Bank staff for a guided walk at Watmough with a hike to the Land Bank’s addition to Watmough Bay Preserve.* Enjoy natural history highlights and learn about stewardship activities for the site.
Meet at Watmough Bay parking lot (outhouse available). Tour will depart on foot, be prepared to hike around 2-3 miles on variable terrain.
Group size will be limited to 15. Register with Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or call 360-378-4402.
Please carpool. Be sure to dress for the weather.
*Please note: the Watmough Addition is not yet open for public access at this time.

Public Meeting | North Shore Preserve Planning Update
2024-06-12 18:00
North Shore Property
Join staff in the Orcas Island Fire & Rescue meeting room to learn about the Land Bank’s plans for restoration, parking and trails at this new preserve on Orcas Island. All are welcome. For more information on the project to date please click the following link: sjclandbank.org/northshore/.

North Shore Property Guided Tour
2024-06-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:30
Land Bank staff will lead three tours monthly this summer. Click here to sign up for a scheduled tour. We will adjust the schedule as necessary based on demand. Please note: due to limited parking, tours will be capped at 10 vehicles. Carpooling and cycling encouraged.
The property is surrounded by private residences. This includes private beaches to the east and west and it is essential that the Land Bank and the public respect their privacy and property rights. We understand that there is strong community interest in this property, and we seek your support and cooperation while we plan for and prepare it for opening.

Volunteer Event | Wednesday Workparty at Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
2024-06-05 10:00 - 12:00
Help steward the Watmough Bay Preserve Addition! Take in the amazing views and learn about the preserve’s history while engaging in seasonal stewardship tasks with Land Bank staff.
Contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org for more information.

Lopez Island Farmers Market
2024-06-01 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-18 10:00 - 14:00
Find us at the Lopez Island Farmers Market today!

A Guided Tour Exploring Coho Preserve, Cascade Creek and Salmonid Habitat
2024-05-23 15:30 - 17:00
Did you know that Coho salmon were observed in Cascade Creek as far back as the 1950s and that Cascade Creek is one of the only salmon runs left in the San Juan Islands? Your Conservation Land Bank has been monitoring the salmon runs at Coho Preserve since 2016, and in 2023, we documented Chinook salmon spawning and rearing naturally in the preserve!
Interested in learning more about “salmonids” (salmon and trout) and how we can better protect them? Join Land Bank field assistant, Tyler Goodman, and biologist, Jenny DeGroot, for a guided tour of Coho Preserve and Cascade Creek.

Gathering of the Eagles Canoe Journey Celebration Street Fair
2024-05-22 14:00 - 17:00
Find us at the Orcas Street fair at the Olga Community Club in celebration of the Gathering of the Eagles Native American Canoe Journey.

CANCELLED: Volunteer Event | Trail Construction
2024-05-21 10:00 - 15:00
Be a part of San Juan Island history! Join Land Bank staff in creating San Juan Island’s newest trail connection.
Email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org to learn more or volunteer on the project.

Wild Wanderings: Wildflowers, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Birding | Seasons of Turtleback Mountain Preserve Walk Series
2024-05-19 12:30 - 14:30
Learn about the rich biodiversity of our ecosystem and gain insights into the behaviors and habitats of the creatures that call Turtleback Mountain home.
You’re invited to “choose your adventure” – participants will split into two or three groups for off-trail viewing, providing a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of wildflowers, observe fascinating amphibians and reptiles, or delight in the diverse birdlife of our region.
Pre-registration is required as space is limited. RSVP to Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Partner Event | Island Rec Children's Festival
2024-05-18 10:00 - 14:00
Stop by our booth at Island Rec’s Children’s Festival where we’ll celebrate their 40th birthday! We’ll have wildflower and nature themed activities for the young AND young at heart. This fun, free event is hosted at John O. Linde Community Park.

Monthly Commission Meeting
2024-05-17 08:30 - 11:15
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting 8:30am-11:15am 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.

North Shore Property Guided Tour
2024-05-16 16:00 - 17:30, 2024-05-11 10:00 - 11:30
Land Bank staff will lead two tours per month this fall. Click here to sign up for a scheduled tour. We will adjust the schedule as necessary based on demand. Please note: due to limited parking, tours will be capped at 10 vehicles. Carpooling and cycling encouraged.
The property is surrounded by private residences. This includes private beaches to the east and west and it is essential that the Land Bank and the public respect their privacy and property rights. We understand that there is strong community interest in this property, and we seek your support and cooperation while we plan for and prepare it for opening.

Volunteer Event | Trail Construction
2024-05-16 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-14 10:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-09 10:00 - 15:00
photo credit: Robin Donnelly
Be a part of San Juan Island history! Join Land Bank staff in creating San Juan Island’s newest trail connection.
Email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org to learn more or volunteer on the project.

Volunteer Event | Third Thursdays at The Salish Seeds Project
2024-05-16 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 .

Volunteer Event | Trail Construction
2024-05-11 10:00 - 15:00

Partner Event | Lilacs, Lions, and Lemonade in Driggs Park
2024-05-10 15:00 - 16:30
Join us in Driggs Park for a mini safari and discover your island wild side!
Come hunt for aphid lions in the lilacs and sip sweet lilac lemonade after our safari. Bug-discovery event featuring local entomologist, Cynthia Brast, who will entertain us with fun facts about Aphid Lions, and why you should LOVE them in your garden. It will be a roaring good time!
This free event is presented in partnership with the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center and their Screen Free Week programming. For more information, and to register, please click the following link: jlsfrc.org/screen-free-week/.
