Land Trust News

Skagit Summer Social on Lands We Love

Posted Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 4:00 PM

June 15th from 3:30-6:30pm

This festive gathering at the home of Rusty Kuntze & Libby Mills will feature walks on the Wren Ridge Conservation Easement meadow, forest, and Padilla Bay shoreline. Guests can catch up with friends, connect with board members, and talk with staff while enjoying delectable bites from Skagit Landing and sipping local wines & beers.

Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for this outdoor gathering. The afternoon will feature live music, raffles, live auction, special excursion sign-ups and a raise-the-paddle fundraiser in support of local land conservation and stewardship. All proceeds help conserve and care for Skagit’s natural lands today and in the future. Please join us for this festive fundraiser!

*Must be 21 or older to attend. No pets please. The event will go on rain or shine. Advanced ticket purchase is required.

**Event location will be emailed to guests after ticket purchase

Click Here for Preview of Live Auction Excursions, Sign-Up Experiences, & Raffle Items! (or scroll down for text only)

Thank you to Our Sponsors! Interested in becoming a sponsor too? Click here.

Live Auction Excursions

Guided Hike for six with Craig Romano on Cypress Island

Travel aboard Island Express, the fastest water transportation in the San Juan Islands to wild and beautiful Cypress Island. Hike through old growth forests, learn about the history of the island with local award-winning guidebook author, photographer, and Northwest trails expert Craig Romano. Enjoy a picnic lunch from Gere-A-Deli. Take home a signed copy of Craig’s book, “Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands.”

Donors: Craig Romano, Island Express, Gere-a-Deli

Hike is good for a mutually date to be arranged in advance between June and October 2023 and is subject to availability, weather, and tide conditions

Boat trip for Six to Vendovi

Join Warren and Linda Walz aboard their 35’ trawler Echo II to beautiful Vendovi Island one of the wildest private islands in the San Juan archipelago. The island has the most extensive and diverse wildflower meadows in the San Juans. Three different beaches are accessible by the trail system, providing many opportunities for picnicking and enjoying the sun! Warren and Linda are great hosts and will also treat the winning bidders to a delicious lunch on the trip!

Donors: Warren & Linda Walz

This experience is available for up to six people. Winning bidder to arrange a mutually agreeable date with the hosts for summer 2023

Two Nights at Guemes Island Resort and Dinner for Four

Enjoy two nights for four people in the cabin of your choice. Access to the island is by a five- minute ferry ride from Anacortes. During your stay enjoy amenities including a game room, a wood fired sauna, barbecues, rowboats, wood fired saltwater hot tub, and massage therapy at our conveniently located onsite studio. On one of the evenings, Island Chef, Karen Everett will spoil you with a customized four course dinner including aperitifs and wine cordials.

Donors: Guemes Island Resort, Mark & Kelly Linnemann,and Karen Everett

Available during the quiet season fromOctober 1, 2023- 1-June 1, 2024

One week in September at Snowater Condo in Glacier

This is prime hiking season in the Mount Baker area! The condo sleeps a total of six, with two bedrooms, a sleeper sofa, full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a small back porch overlooking the north fork of the Nooksack River. The Snowater grounds along the Nooksack River are beautiful and feature forested walking trails, several sports courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball, a couple of kids play areas, and a covered barbecue area by the river. Facilities include two pools with hot tubs, a rec room with ping pong and a pool table, and an exercise room. Mid-September is the best season for hiking, with snow absent from the high-elevation trails providing access to invigorating hikes, majestic mountain views and beautiful fall foliage.

Donors: Kirk Johnson & Lori Nordgulen

Available for the week of September 15-22, 2023 only. Six people max. No Pets.

Sign-Up Experiences

Guemes Island Paella Party- Sunday, July 30, 1:30pm

Join Sue Skillman and Phil Fenner at their Guemes Island home for a delicious Paella dinner including appetizers, salad, wine/beer/soft drinks, and gourmet s’mores for dessert! Your hosts will pick up/drop off from the Guemes ferry if desired (so you don’t have to wait in a car line) or you might want to ride your bike and enjoy some island touring. Come early or stay late to visit conservation areas across the island - Guemes Mountain and Valley, Dog Woods of Guemes, Peach Preserve, Kelly’s Point…or sit on your hosts’ deck and enjoy views of Cypress Island. Only 8 spots available.
Donors: Sue Skillman, Phil Fenner, and Therese Ogle

Set Sail with Skagit Land Trust!

Have you ever wanted to visit Cypress Island, or see Kelly’s Point from the water, or learn more about Skagit Land Trust’s Island properties and easements? Come relax and explore with us aboard Island Express as we set sail on a 2.5- hour boat tour of our properties and conservation easements on Guemes and Cypress Islands. Enjoy refreshments on the Cypress Beach. Hear from Conservation Project Manager, Kari Odden, about how the Trust is working to conserve these unique and beautiful places. 25 spots available. Date information coming soon.

Cottage Garden Crafternoon Tea - Sunday July 23, 1-5pm

Enjoy a classic afternoon tea, served with Alice’s favorite China cups, featuring finger sandwiches, scones, and delicious treats amongst the blooms at the Stone Cottage on Samish Island. Participants will take home several delightful treasures they have created using lavender, herbs, and flowers harvested from the Cottage shore and garden. Only 10 spots available.
Donors:Debbie Ensey & Laura Hartner

Anacortes Forest Hike & Wine Reception with Book - September 9

A two-hour voyage of discovery in the Anacortes forestlands. Author Jane Billinghurst will lead your hike on the Cranberry Lake Forest trail. Guests will step off the trail and into the home of Board Member, Therese Ogle, to enjoy a wine and appetizer reception while overlooking beautiful Guemes Channel. Each participant will also receive a complimentary copy of Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America co-authored by Peter Wohlleben, the New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, and his longtime translator and Anacortes resident Jane Billinghurst. Only 8 spots available.
Donors: Therese Ogle & Jane Billinghurst

Diobsub Creek Watershed Adventure - Date Information Coming Soon

Join Skagit Land Trust to tour the incredible Diobsud Creek watershed, a few miles east of Marblemount. This up-valley adventure will provide participants with a rare opportunity to visit one of the most protected tributaries to the Skagit. Diobsud Creek is home to all five species of wild salmon. It is also where the first grey wolves west of the Cascades were sighted. Guest will explore the beautiful forests and creek-side vistas from several conservation success stories along Diobsud Creek. The Trust’s Conservation Director, Michael Kirshenbaum, will lead guests on several short (less than a mile) walks to Diobsud Creek and Skagit River, including a creek or riverside lunch provided by Skagit Land Trust. Only 8 spots available.

Samish Island Seafood Social - Wednesday August 2

More Details coming soon!

Paint & Sip on the land with Thais Armstrong