Mount Grant Preserve | San Juan Island: Preserve parking received a refresh this summer! In August, a second parking area was constructed about 500ft from the Greywacke Trailhead, which hikers access off Geraldine Lane. The new space hosts up to 12 cars and an ADA compliant cement pad, next to which you’ll find the port-o-potty, previously located at the summit. Speaking of the summit, a reminder that we’ve entered the winter season for driving access up the mountain. Now through March driving access to the summit is Sundays only, 10am to 4pm.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve | Orcas Island: Following the replacement of 20 culverts in July, Stewardship staff decommissioned a portion of the Turtleback Mountain Preserve road and trail that led up the southern slope. As described in the 2022 Turtleback Mountain Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP), it was unsustainable due to the steep grade and to severe erosion caused by increasingly heavy winter rainfall. It also contributed to fragmentation of important Garry oak savanna habitat that the 
Land Bank plans to restore in the future. This project coincides with extensive improvements to the Morning Ridge Trail. Also described in the SMP, the Morning Ridge work will be completed in collaboration with the Washington Trails Association (WTA) and will enhance both walkability and views. Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities in 2024, when the Land Bank begins work on a new trail that will lead southward from the Morning Ridge trailhead.
North Shore Property | Orcas Island: Staff worked with contractors to remove ten delipidated buildings and to convert the shoreline road into a trail. Other site restoration activities include the ongoing removal of extensive stands of English holly and hawthorn and preparations for the planting of over 13,000 native trees this winter. These projects are part of a broader effort to prepare the property for public access late next year. In the meantime, our regular public tours provide opportunities to watch the progress.
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