Turtleback Mountain Preserve Forest Management Project 

The Turtleback Mountain Preserve forest assessment (click here to view) provides an example of our ongoing efforts to plan for increased forest resiliency. The document outlines a variety of forest management actions aimed at improving forest health and habitat value in the face of climate change. Staff incorporated many of the recommended actions into the Draft 2022 Turtleback Mountain Stewardship and Management Plan (click here to view).

In anticipation of a future that includes more active forest stewardship, the Land Bank applied for and received a $30,000 grant from the Washington Department of Natural Resources to implement small-scale forest management projects that demonstrate the practices described in the forest assessment. These include stand thinning, downed wood and snag habitat creation, chipping, scattering, piling, and pile burning. These projects are described in greater detail in this presentation (click here to view).

With assistance from the Island Conservation Corps, the Samish Department of Natural Resources and private contractors, the Land Bank is removing small-diameter conifers from Garry oak habitat, establishing shaded fuel breaks along access roads, and completing priority thinning projects identified in the forest assessment.