What are Garry oaks and how do their habitats support the ecology of the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest?

Join experts from San Juan Island and beyond March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the San Juan Island Grange at 6 p.m. to learn about the history of Garry oaks in the Pacific Northwest, their ecological significance in the San Juans and more.

Sarah Hamman of the Center for National Lands Management will begin the lecture series speaking on what drives conservation of the unique prairie-oak communities of the Pacific Northwest. Land Bank Preserve Steward Doug McCutchen will then host a tour the following day (March 9, 1-4 p.m., meet at the Friday Harbor High School parking lot) showcasing various locations around San Juan Island that are home to beautiful Garry oak habitats.

Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust, along with Ruth Milner of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will then lead a discussion regarding the important wildlife that Garry oak habitats encourage. Eliza Habegger of the land bank will then speak about restoration strategies and techniques that can help landowners restore the Garry Oak habitat in their backyards. The fourth and final lecture will address the traditional and current cultural significance of Garry oaks to indigenous folks in the Pacific Northwest Region. Speaker TBD.