Zylstra lake update

When the state legislature adjourned in July without passing a Capital Construction Budget, all funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) was put on hold—including a grant that would have allowed the San Juan Preservation Trust-San Juan County Land Bank partnership to complete its $3 million acquisition of Zylstra Lake Preserve on San Juan Island.

Now that this funding source is on indefinite hold, where does that leave the project?

alliance president visits sjpt

Andrew Bowman, who became president of the Land Trust Alliance last year, headlined two events for SJPT members, trustees, and staff earlier this month—one at SJPT Executive Director Tim Seifert's home in Seattle, and the other at Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm on San Juan Island. With both groups, Bowman emphasized the Alliance's efforts in the other Washington (DC) to protect and enhance federal policies that encourage land conservation. Click here to see photos from a beautiful evening on Westcott Bay.

where there's smoke ...

During this dry summer in the Pacific Northwest, poor air quality due to wildfire smoke has affected millions of people, from southwest Oregon up into British Columbia. At this writing (9/15), the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center was tracking 27 large fires. The more remote fires tend to be naturally caused, whereas those closest to populated areas, such as the Eagle Creek fire in the Columbia Gorge east of Portland, are mostly caused by humans. "People burn the places they love," concludes this article—an important call to vigilance in our beautiful and beloved San Juan Islands.

Name: Thom Pence

Gann Society member since: 2017

Place of residence: Red Mill Farm, San Juan Island

Favorite island place: The easternmost end of the Finlayson ridge trail at American Camp on San Juan Island, "where you get an awe-inspiring view of incredible visual diversity."

Quote: “I have been dedicated to conservation my entire life—especially since retirement, as I have had the personal time to assist in many local conservation efforts. So when I did my estate planning, it was only natural that I would support local efforts in conservation. Supporting the Preservation Trust was a clear choice because of their excellent work in both preserving island lands and providing ongoing stewardship for them.”