Field Notes | Fall 2025

Trails were a hot ticket item across the islands this summer from planning and implementing improvements, as well as damage repairs due to vandalization.

Our stellar partners at the San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) announced a major new conservation effort on the west side of San Juan Island – Mount Ben West Preserve. The 30-acre property offers an opportunity for future public trail access from your Land Bank’s Goldenback Trail at Westside Preserve. Hikers would enjoy sweeping views of Haro Strait, while protecting critical Garry oak habitat, rocky balds, and veteran Douglas firs. Learn how to support SJPT’s efforts by following this link: sjpt.org/mount-ben-west.

Judd Cove Preserve

Over on Orcas Island, staff and local contractors were a buzz with activity and machinery. Crescent Beach, Turtleback Mountain, and Judd Cove Preserves all received improvements – ranging from forest health to shoreline restoration to public access enhancements. Orcas also gained an a new waterfront preserve for future public access on East Sound. The cherry on top – $1.4M awarded in grant money helped support three of the four projects.

Weeks Wetland at Fisherman Bay Preserves

Oodles of trail brushing, noxious weed pulls, and vandalization repair kept Lopez stewards on the move. We’re happy to report the Weeks Wetland trail platform that was damaged in a fire on July 5^th, is once again available for public enjoyment! Bring your binoculars for fall birdwatching or sit and enjoy the view of Fisherman Bay. To complete the platform project, the Land Bank is looking for a volunteer with wood working skills to put new trim on the interpretive signs. If that sounds like you, please email Lopez Preserve Steward, Amanda Wedow at amandaw@sjclandbank.org.

These are but a few highlights of all the good work staff recently accomplished. Interested in hearing what else happened over the summer? Read all about it in our monthly stewardship reports: sjclandbank.org/stewardship-reports.