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Conserving wildlife habitat, agricultural and forest lands, scenic open space, wetlands, and shorelines for the benefit of our community and as a legacy for future generations.

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“Keeping the Land Nice for Our Grandkids”

You may recognize Paul Johnson, a regular at Skagit Land Trust work parties. A resident of Burlington for nearly four decades, Paul joined the Skagit Land Trust community in 2019. After a long career with a small boat company called Nordic Tuggs, Paul had recently retired. With a twinkle in his eye, he remembers: “My wife told me that I needed to find something to do!”

Paul first encountered Skagit Land Trust after enrolling in the Skagit Conservation District’s Watershed Master’s program. In 2019, the program pitched in on a tree planting project at Tope Ryan Conservation Area. Paul really appreciated the Trust’s AmeriCorps volunteers,
who “immediately adopted me and a few others.”

Paul soon began attending SLT work parties because they provided worthwhile opportunities to spend time outside and connect with like-minded people. He also volunteers at the Lincoln Theater and with a group called Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that responds to crises around the globe.

Over the last five years, Paul has contributed to many Skagit Land Trust work parties. He especially likes trail building and had a good time working on the Dancing Bear Trail in our Barr Creek Conservation Area. The Trust is lucky to have volunteers like Paul, who understands the importance of “keeping the land nice for our grandkids.”

Rain can’t keep Paul (center) away from trail work at Barr Creek. Also pictured are Kinsey Shilling (left) and Lynn Postler (right).

Fall is planting season, and we have a full schedule of work parties coming up. At Skagit Land Trust, we rely heavily on dedicated volunteers to help us meet our stewardship goals. We’re very grateful for their time and effort. If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with the Trust, please visit our website and sign-up for an upcoming work party. We also have openings to volunteer with our Heron Camera Monitoring and Youth Programs. Contact Stacy Dahl, our Volunteer & Education Programs Coordinator, for information on all of these volunteer opportunities: stacyd@skagitlandtrust.org or call 360-428-7878 x212.

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