This 13 acre property was acquired by Skagit Land Trust in 2017.
Douglas Island Conservation Area is one of nine properties transferred from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to Skagit Land Trust in March of 2017. This aquisition of 1,024 acres expands the total area of lands managed by Skagit Land Trust by over one third at the time of the transfer.
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Douglas Island Conservation Area ia located at the confluence of the Skagit and Cascade Rivers.
Conservation Story
Douglas Island Conservation Area was set aside for conservation over 30 years prior by The Nature Conservancy and other community partners who desired to conserve habitat for Bald Eagle and other species along the upper Skagit River. Douglas Island Conservation Area was part of the conservation of over 8,000 acres that now make up the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area.
Click here to read more about the land acquisition between TNC and Skagit Land Trust in our Summer 2017 Newsletter.
Ecology
The property is located at the confluence of the Skagit and Cascade Rivers and provides a wide range of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout spawning and rearing habitats. The riparian habitat along the side channel and river provide refuge for mink, beaver, deer, and river otter. There are high quality riparian and low elevation forest that help sustain critical ecological processes within the Skagit River, such as dynamic river meandering, delivery of coarse woody debris, nutrient production, flood control, and habitat for target species.
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The water level in this side channel changes seasonally. During high water, land access to Douglas Island is impossible.
Stewardship
There are a number of non native plants species present on the property, including yellow archangel, Himalayan blackberry, clematis, and scotchbroom. Stewardship goals for this property are to control noxious weeds and other invasive plant species and improve forest habitat for the benefit of both wildlife and people.
Click here to view information about the land stewards for this and other Skagit Land Trust properties.
Access
This site is open to low-impact public use for community enjoyment and is accessed by the Skagit River or by foot off of Highway 20 during low water. Click here for a Google Maps link to Douglas Island Conservation Area.
Click on the map above for an enlarged image. Map created using NAIP 2017 Aerial imagery.
Drive east on Hwy 20 to Marblemount. Access by foot either via Skagit County’s Pressentin Park (park at Shell gas station), or via path below the bridge over the Skagit River. Access during low-water is possible without wading, but during normal-to-high water, access would require wading or become very difficult. The property may also be accessed by boat.