Day Creek Conservation Area

More than 100 Acres Protected on the Skagit River

The 110 acre parcel of floodplain land which now forms the preserve was purchased by the Trust from Kim and Janet Sundstrom. It consists of approximately 75 acres of mixed riparian woodland and 35 acres of cropland. The Sundstroms ran a successful dairy operation on the property from 1979 until 2001, when they decided to get out of the dairy business. They have, however, retained 40 acres of their farm, which includes upland areas along Walberg Road with an existing house and barn, as well as much of the productive cropland, which is currently leased to potato farmers.

Day Creek Conservation Area

Salmon Habitat Recovery grants received for land purchase do not cover any of the long-term stewardship expenses.

Letter from the Executive Director

Synergy. When I think of our partnerships that word comes to mind. In this and other issues of Skagit Update you will see the words collaboration, cooperation, and partner over and over again. Skagit Land Trust started by partnering with landowners to preserve their land. Later, we expanded our partners to include other organizations with similar goals. Now we work daily in multiple partnerships, both public and private, in inter-linked projects which knit habitat and landscapes together. Due to these partnerships our rolodexes are fat and the quality and quantity of land protected has grown rapidly.

Today in the world of conservation we do nothave the luxury of a singular or divided vision. Conservation work has been forced into a collaborative structure because ecosystems are a web of diversity. Those who work in isolation typically find they are beautifully equipped to deal with a world that doesn't exist. Each organization needs to understand the "30,000 foot" view of what they are trying to protect as well as the acre or species view and then work alongside every community, landowner and organization who touches on their particular niche of that vision. Collaborative leadership, sharing information, understanding the bigger picture, creating and supporting strong leaders throughout the community, enabling landowners to be part of a larger protection network, leveraging scarce resources towards common goals, and knowing how to be part of a collective effort beyond your own world — are all critical. We call that partnership. It creates synergy…and complexity…just like in nature.

Skagit Land Trust is fortunate to work in a region of strong and capable partners. Our niche of focusing on the habitats and landscapes of Skagit County is vital. No other organization focuses on county-wide protection of the local natural heritage. No other organization routinely works with landowners to place conservation easements on private property in order to protect habitat in Skagit County. We are a critical link in the jigsaw puzzle of local conservation but are always grateful and mindful that we are part of a larger conservation web.

Molly Doran

Protecting More Mud!

Mud Lake, just west of Hwy 9 near the town of Clear Lake. Skagit Land Trust now owns and protects nearly 50 acres of this special wetland and waterfowl habitat.

Skagit Land Trust (SLT) has purchased 29 additional acres of Mud Lake, the scenic open water, wetland and waterfowl habitat on the west side of the town of Clear Lake. This brings the total Mud Lake area protected by SLT to almost 50 acres.

Skagit Land Trust has acquired the Mud Lake conservation properties in three separate transactions; a donation of 11 acres in 1997, a purchase of 7.5 acres in 2000 and this last purchase of 29 acres. Clear Lake Historical Association also owns 2 acres on the shore of Mud Lake, acquired from the railroad in 1989.

The new acquisition includes extensive wetlands along the outlet of Mud Lake to the west. Lands in this area were used for dairy pasture in the first half of the 20^th century, but were often too wet for year-round use. Beaver populations were kept in check to prevent the build up of dams that hindered drainage. The pastures are long- abandoned, the beaver have returned, and the lake, wetlands and marshes now provide shelter for wintering waterfowl, songbirds and amphibians. In addition to providing wildlife habitat and scenic views that local residents

and travelers on Highway 9 appreciate, the lake and wetlands are part of the Nookachamps watershed and serve as a flood-water storage area for the lower Skagit Valley.

This new acquisition enhances habitat protection of a unique wetland area and protects against future development on the fragile lakeshore.

SLT Interviewed on National Public Radio (NPR)

restoration. Finally, the US Forest Service appropriated funds from Congress and purchased the Skagit River section (595 acres) as part of Wild and Scenic River Program. Several listeners called in, including Mary Kay Barbieri, a SLT conservation easement donor. She described why they protected their property and the peace of mind it gave them in doing so. As Martha said, in the end, we all need to remind ourselves that although land protection may be complex, it is one of the most positive and hopeful actions we can take for the future. Land Trusts in the US alone have protected over 6.3 million acres of land.

An audio file of this show can be downloaded by going to www.kuow.org and selecting Weekday (9am show). In the subject finder type in land trusts. It's a great primer on land trusts.

Leaving a Legacy along the Cascade River

Since 1998, Bob Keller and Pat Karlberg have worked with Skagit Land Trust to protect their property along the Cascade River, east of Marblemount. This spring, they added over 5 contiguous acres to the 26 acres they have already protected under a conservation easement.

Bob and Pat, in an example of exemplary conservation citizenship, purchased the added parcel expressly for the purposes of further protecting this property. Bob and Pat extinguished the development rights on the new property, ensuring that the natural habitat on the land can be enjoyed for generations to come.

"Easements provide a means of extending our conservation goals into the future," says Bob. " In terms of ethics, we don't own the land. We are temporary trustees and stewards. But legally we do own it and we are using that ownership to try to ensure its protection. It comforts Pat and me to

believe that a century from now the trees, creeks, birds, salmon, deer, bear and other living things that occupy our land will be better off than today."

Bob began purchasing land along the Cascade River in 1974, adding adjacent land as it became available. Bob and Pat have managed this land, planted trees and tended the forest with love and respect. With a conservation easement Bob gained "a sense of satisfaction and security that whatever health the land has regained since 1974 won't be lost after we die."

Although Bob has officially retired from

teaching history at Western Washington University, he remains an active educator, teaching history courses and serving on the boards of Whatcom Land Trust, the Dudley Foundation, and Center for Pacific Northwest Studies.

Pat, retired from Fairhaven College, is active with her granddaughters, Whatcom Land Trust, traveling in Germany and spending quality time with her faithful companion Nigu, the husky who appeared on the Cascade River property six years ago and adopted Pat for life. Pat's passion about the environment is expressed in many ways (she has rafted the Grand Canyon 23 times!) and includes her desire to see land managed for the future and available for all to enjoy. She and Bob have made an effort to welcome others to the property, maintaining trails through the forest and allowing the property to be used for educational field trips.

In June, Skagit Land Trust volunteers joined Pat and Bob to clean up piles of trash that had accumulated over many years along the edge of Cascade River Road fronting their property. Among the two pickup loads of garbage were car batteries and electrical appliances that were otherwise destined to tumble into the river. Says Pat "We firmly believe that trashing the earth makes a loud statement about humans and nature; likewise, restoration and repair also make a statement - a positive one."

After collecting the garbage everyone enjoyed a delicious potluck in the woods along the river and Bob led a property tour. All took pleasure in helping steward the earth and being outside in this remarkably beautiful place. Maybe we'll see you at the next volunteer event!

The scenic mill pond along the Cascade River, is part of the Keller & Karlberg protected property.

March's Point Heronry Update

"No kidding? 1500 birds are right there? Who would have known!" The March's Point Heronry must be one of Fidalgo Island's best-disguised wildlife habitats. At a recent presentation to the Anacortes Soroptomist Club, many long-time residents of Anacortes were surprised to hear they lived within walking distance

(as a heron flies) of Western North America's largest heron rookery.

The superb food source of surrounding bays and the hill-top nesting site, tucking out of reach of human traffic, are likely reasons the birds have put up with increased development in the area. Right now, their young are getting ready to fly the coop. There are often hundreds of birds fishing and filling their bellies at low tide off the northern end March's Point. One of our board members counted over 1,000 herons in an hour one afternoon!

A Bequest of Land - A Gift for Future Generations

Estate planning is a wise and prudent step.

It ensures that assets such as cash, equities, savings bonds, IRAs, personal property and land are identified, valued and allocated to selected beneficiaries.

While most people who wish to remember their favorite charity select cash or stock bequests, few consider leaving land. Yet landowners without heirs, or whose heirs might not or cannot preserve the property according to their wishes, or whose land has appreciated significantly in value, or who want specific tax benefits, may find this the perfect way to remember a special non-profit group.

Recently, a couple who are long-time supporters of Skagit Land Trust, notified us of their wish to bequeath a beautiful, conservation property to the Trust while reserving certain rights for their heirs. They knew it was important to discuss the specific terms of their bequest with us. That way, they ensure that their gift will fit into our needs and goals while honoring their wishes for its future use.

This excellent example of wise estate planning assures that this couple's assets will be passed on according to their wishes, including a thoughtful gift to Skagit Land Trust and the environment.

It makes good sense to consider gifting land or real

estate, whether of conservation value or not, to Skagit Land Trust. Our work in preserving Skagit County's rich natural heritage takes place "on the ground" providing us with an in-depth knowledge of land, its uses and potential. We are experienced in land transactions and land stewardship.

It's important to note, however, that property considered for acquisition, including bequests and gifts, is carefully evaluated in advance. Does it have conservation value? If so, can it be sold with a conservation easement to help further the Trust's land protection work? If it's not conservation worthy but has other value, can it be sold for the same purpose? Should the Trust retain and manage it? What are the long term costs? These and other questions are answered in the evaluation process. Donations of land must also address the question of whether donor restrictions or desires for the property are acceptable to the Trust.

Ultimately, the bequest must meet the needs of the Trust and the donor. If it does, it becomes a gift for future generations.

Those considering a bequest of land to the Trust (or an outright gift) should contact Molly Doran at
(360) 428-7878.

Skagit Land Trust Retreat

In June, board and staff met to discuss Skagit Land Trust's direction, conservation methods and mission.

We exist to protect lands, in a voluntary manner, in Skagit County. However we no longer precisely "matched" our mission which implied that we do this only via assisting landowners. In the interest of land conservation the Trust has entered into a multi-approach model of protecting land. While assisting landowners remains a vital part of what we do, whom we serve has expanded to include many conservation partner organizations and we have significantly increased our own land ownership. The result of this approach is impressive - the amount of land protected by the Trust has quadrupled in the past four years. We are recognized as a conservation leader in the county and beyond, receiving awards and invitations to present to the Pacific Northwest community.

The outcome of the retreat was an up-dated mission and consensus on protecting land via multiple protection methods. We are positive about the focus and direction our conservation strategy is leading us. We recognize we need to grapple with the role we should play in protecting smaller urban parcels. We have identified a clear need to increase our funding of operations and stewardship in order to serve the land protection pace and vision we have embarking on.

The updated mission of Skagit Land Trust is:

To protect wildlife habitat, wetlands,

agricultural and forest lands, scenic open space and shorelines 

throughout the mainland and islands of Skagit County 

for the benefit of our community and as a legacy 

for future generations.

Thank you...

To Rich Doengess for the extra effort he made to make sure the "Dykstra Easement," would be completed before leaving his position as Director of Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program to head up the farmland protection program in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. We wish you well.

Partner Profile: 

Skagit Watershed Council - A Role Model of Collaboration

The Skagit Watershed Council is a community partnership for salmon. Salmon, are great connectors. They swim across land ownership and jurisdictional boundaries and they are vital to human, terrestrial, freshwater and saltwater environments. Thus, with an atypical coalition of 38 partners from fishing, agricultural, non-profit, tribal, government, forestry, and utility enterprises, the Skagit Watershed Council was formed in 1997. It creates a partnership for protecting and restoring healthy ecosystems for Skagit 

and Samish salmon. And it works. The Skagit Watershed Council is the only non-governmental organization in Washington to be named a lead entity for salmon recovery activities. Its approach and use of most current thinking, makes it the model watershed council in the state. Yet big tent collaborative approaches don't just happen-they require vision, thoughtful planning and guidance.

"Our approach is riparian health through ecosystem-wide thinking," says Shirley Solomon, chair of the Skagit

Watershed Council. "We work in a voluntary arena. A great deal of the effort needs to occur on private land. If landowners or interested parties chose not to participate, then we have failed. We assure a place at the table for everyone who is interested in participating."

The Skagit Watershed Council offers technical assistance, facilitates education and research, and represents common needs and vision for salmon recovery in the watershed. They submit a habitat restoration project list to the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board. The Skagit River is the most important watershed in Puget Sound for salmon, however due to Skagit County's smaller population, its potential could be overshadowed by our big, influential, neighbors to the south. Shirley Solomon, Ben Perkowski, and Scottie Schneider are the glue that focuses us so that the message of the Skagit's significance is heard. To date, the Skagit/Samish Watersheds have received over $14 million dollars in salmon recovery funds for 45 projects - the most of any watershed in Washington. Skagit Land Trust has received five of these project grants.

The Skagit Watershed Council is an entity whose charter understands the complexities of humans and the environments they live in and works to create a space where inclusive solutions to seemingly intractable problems can be born. We are honored to be a member and thank Shirley, Ben and Scottie for their leadership and guidance.