July 29th, 2010 News and Events
Join Us For Our 3rd Annual Summer Social, Saturday, July 31
Outdoors on the Hoedemaker Farm on Davis Bay, Lopez Island
The spectacular Hoedemaker Farm on Lopez Island’s Davis Bay will serve as the backdrop this year for our annual Summer Social event. Originally a dairy owned by the pioneering Davis family and birthplace of Lopez Island’s first settler child, the 47-acre Hoedemaker Farm will provide visitors with sweeping vistas of Rosario Strait, the Olympic Mountains and Richardson Marsh, one of San Juan County’s most important coastal wetlands.
The 3rd Annual Summer Social will be held on Saturday, July 31 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm in collaboration with the artists of Plein Air Washington (PAWA). As in past years, PAWA artists will be painting outdoor scenes throughout the islands prior to the event. Crow Valley Pottery and Gallery will showcase and auction these paintings at the Hoedemaker Farm on July 31, then at the Gallery in the weeks that follow, with partial proceeds benefiting the Preservation Trust. PAWA artists will also be painting at the Hoedemaker Farm on the day of the event.
Music will be provided by JP and the OK Rhythm Boys. Lopez chef Kim Bast will prepare local food with wine from Lopez Island Vineyards. Families are welcome, and activities for children will be provided. A $20.00 donation per adult is welcomed.
Lopez is known as the “Friendly Isle,” so don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with old friends or introduce a new friend to the work of the Preservation Trust. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the Hoedemaker Farm on the 31st of July!
Directions to the Hoedemaker Farm: Travel south on Fisherman Bay Rd. to Davis Bay Rd. Turn right on Davis Bay Rd. & continue for 2 miles. Property driveway is on the right just at the right angle turn at the two-mile point. Alternatively, travel south on Center Road and take a right onto Richardson Rd. Follow Richardson Rd. and take a right on Davis Bay Rd. Property will be on your left at first bend in road.
Posted: Wed, Jul 21, 2010
San Juan Preservation Trust Conveys Marine Shoreline to Moran State Park
MARINE SHORELINE ADDED TO MORAN STATE PARK
Public-Private Partnership Gives Orcas Island Park
Its First Accessible Saltwater Beach
ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON: The San Juan Preservation Trust has conveyed a 26-acre property on the northeast shore of Orcas Island to Washington State Parks, providing Moran State Park with its very first accessible saltwater beach.
Originally purchased in 2008 from a generous Orcas Island family with a strong desire to see the property folded into the adjacent park, the Preservation Trust had held the property for the past two years while State Parks assembled the funds it needed to acquire the property. A Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant, subsequently secured by State Parks, was used to purchase the property from the Preservation Trust.
Initially lacking funds for the purchase, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission approached the San Juan Preservation Trust in 2007 to explore alternative ways to acquire the property. Recognizing this unique opportunity to add the first accessible saltwater beach to Moran State Park, the Preservation Trust’s board of trustees approved a plan to acquire the property on behalf of the park.
“Connie Collingsworth and Allen Wilcox, the original landowners, deserve credit for bringing this all together,” said Tim Seifert, Executive Director of the Preservation Trust. “They were resolved to make this land part of the park, so they sold the property to us at a price significantly below its market value.”
In addition to providing an accessible saltwater beach to Moran State Park, this undeveloped parcel will eventually give park visitors access to new trails, an historic lime kiln, stunning views of Mt. Baker, and over 1,200 feet of shoreline along Orcas Island’s remote northeast shore on the Strait of Georgia (directly across from Clark and Barnes Islands).
Posted: Mon, Jul 19, 2010
Preservation Trust Seeks Director of Philanthropy
We are currently seeking a “Director of Philanthropy” to lead – and elevate – our fundraising program. Primary responsibilities for this senior staff position include developing major donor and planned giving strategies; coordinating donor contacts for our executive director, trustees and staff; leading capital campaigns; seeking and managing public and private grants; and oversight of our membership and annual giving programs. This position reports to our executive director, supervises one staff member (our membership director), and requires considerable interaction with our large volunteer Board of Trustees, a professional staff of eight, conservation partners, membership, major donors, foundations and granting agencies.
Qualified applicants must have 5+ years of successful non-profit fundraising experience. Position is full-time; compensation is dependent on experience. Please review complete job description and application instructions by clicking here.
Needless to say, we feel blessed with a beautiful location, a strong membership base, and a demographic that is very supportive of our work. Together, these make for ideal conditions for the right candidate. If you, or anyone you know, has the requisite experience, energy, and passion for the future of our beloved San Juan Islands, we encourage you (or them) to apply today.
Posted: Wed, Jun 16, 2010