Submitted by San Juan County Conservation Land Bank

San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank invites the public to a community meeting and field trip to the Crescent Beach Preserve to discuss a Stewardship and Management Plan for the area. The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is increasing efforts to improve forest health on its preserves. On Orcas Island, this work is informed by forest assessments completed by Rain Shadow Consulting in 2021 and 2022.

Assessments showed that large portions of the Crescent Beach Preserve forest are in poor condition, prompting the Land Bank to present an updated Stewardship and Management Plan for public review in May. If you missed the plan review, or would like to learn more, please join Land Bank staff at the upcoming meeting and field trip to learn about plans to use $240,000 in grant funding to reduce fire risk to the surrounding community and promote conditions that better support habitat diversity and resiliency. Significant activity could begin as early as January 2025. Land Bank staff recognize that forest management work can be disruptive and will make every effort to limit site disturbance and minimize trail closures.

Join us for an in-person meeting (Zoom option will be available) from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, June 28 at the Orcas Island Library and a field tour from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29. We will meet at the easternmost parking lot trailhead on Crescent Beach Drive. All are welcome.

WHAT: Crescent Beach Preserve forest management work update

WHEN: Meeting: Friday, June 28, 5 p.m.; Field Trip/Tour: Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.

WHERE: Meeting: Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound; Field Trip/Tour: Crescent Beach Preserve, easternmost parking lot trailhead.

Meeting overview and Zoom link available on the Land Bank’s website at: https://sjclandbank.org/event/cbc-forest-management-update/. For more information, please contact Peter Guillozet at 360-298-0052 or email peterg@sjclandbank.org.