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North Olympic Land Trust Earns National Recognition

North Olympic Land Trust now is one of only 158 land trusts across the United States accredited by a nation-wide program. The elite status is based on an extensive review of documents and a site visit by The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, established in 2008 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). LTA’s website puts the number of land trusts in the United States at 1,700.  Read More ...

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2012 HIGHLIGHTS

MISSING LINK FARM CONSERVED!

On December 14th, North Olympic Land Trust finalized our last conservation easement of the year, Missing Link Farm.  30 additional acres of working farmland are conserved in the Lower Dungeness, a “missing link”  in the approximately 579 acres of land conserved by the Land Trust and partner organizations in the Lower Dungeness.  Immediately adjacent to this property is the Quacker Farm, Bell Farm, and Lot 15 of Dungeness Cattle Company, all conserved by local landowners and the Land Trust.  The “missing link” is forever protected to be both a working farm and wetland habitat.  Wetlands on the property are part of an extensive system throughout the Lower Dungeness Basin that provide vital habitat for water fowl and other wildlife.  This easement is part of the Land Trust's ongoing effort to create landscapes in which the best farmland remains as farms and the best habitat is conserved for wildlife.

 75-Acres Conserved Along Jimmycomelatey Creek to Enhance Salmon Recovery Effort

North Olympic Land Trust and landowner Phil Schenck, have finalized an agreement that conserves 75-acres along Jimmycomelately Creek in Blyn.  This land, including a one mile stretch of the creek that is prime salmon habitat, is now permanently protected with a conservation easement.  This easement, immediately adjacent to protected state, federal, and tribal lands, means that the lower 2 miles of Jimmycomelately Creek have now been conserved by local landowners.

This project was taken on due to its vital importance to the recovery of local salmon, specifically endangered summer chum.  According to the regional Summer Chum Salmon Recovery Plan, “protection, restoration and maintenance of the Jimmycomelately watershed is of paramount importance. The lower river sections must be restored and protected to effect and ensure recovery of the Strait [summer chum] population”. 

In 1999, chum salmon in Jimmycomelately Creek were on the verge of extinction with only 7 adults returning to spawn.  By 2010, following restoration efforts led by the tribe with a host of other agencies and organizations near the mouth of the creek, 4,207 spawners returned. (Jimmycomelately Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring Report 2004-2011). 

This new conservation easement will build upon this success and protect spawning habitat for all Jimmycomelately salmon and Puget Sound steelhead trout, another endangered species.   “We are thrilled to collaborate on salmon recovery efforts along Jimmycomelately Creek.  Continued restoration of salmon is critical to the economic and ecological future of the North Olympic Peninsula,” said Tom Sanford, executive director of North Olympic Land Trust.

“The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is very pleased that we have neighboring landowners interested in conserving natural resources within the Jimmycomelately Creek basin.  A conservation easement is a terrific way for landowners to maintain their ownership while offering permanent protections to the complex ecosystem of a Pacific salmon stream and its riparian area.  We expect this action will greatly aid in the recovery of the Jimmycomelately population of summer chum and steelhead.  We look forward to measuring steady increases in the biological diversity and natural productivity of Jimmycomelately Creek,” said Scott Chitwood, Natural Resource Director for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

This easement would not have been possible without the partnership and support of landowner, Phil Schenck, the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, the North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity , Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Fund through the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

 Legacy Gift of Wildlife Habitat and Farmland

Jane Willits, sister of regional conservation leader John Willits, passed away in January 2012 and left a legacy that forwards her family's commitment to protecting wildlife habitat and agricultural lands that are vital to the ecological and economic sustainability to the North Olympic Peninsula.  On Monday November 5th, the 50 acre Jane's Farm - located near the intersection of Kitchen Dick Road and Old Olympic Highway - was permanently protected through a conservation easement with North Olympic Land Trust ensuring that it will forever remain agricultural land and prime waterfowl habitat.  In order to further ensure a lasting legacy, Ms. Willits' also bequest to North Olympic Land Trust a gift of $270,000 to help the organization continue its efforts to conserve the lands that sustain the communities of North Olympic Peninsula.

Conserved Land in the Lower Dungeness

Check out this map of over 550 acres of farmland and wildlife habitat that has been conserved in the Lower Dungeness Basin (so far). North Olympic Land Trust is proud to be a part of the effort along with area landowners and other conservation and restoration groups!