Our San Juan Islands

Conserve now. Enjoy forever.

The San Juan Preservation Trust works with our local communities and people like you to permanently conserve and care for special places throughout the San Juan Islands.

We acknowledge that we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people, who have called this place home since time immemorial, and we honor the inherent, aboriginal, and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation.

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San Juan Preservation Trust
4 days ago
San Juan Preservation Trust

With Spring comes another a joyful amphibian season in the islands. Just last week, SJPT Land Steward Rob Roy McGregor spotted a long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylis) on our new Jester Preserve (Orcas Island) during a monitoring visit. Rob Roy also found a northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) there last September, along with several rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa). Long-toed salamanders and red-legged frogs somewhat rare in the islands. Thanks to visionary preserve and conservation easement donors like Bob and Pat Jester, these and many other rare (and not-so-rare) species have forever-wild homes in the San Juans.

The presence of amphibians indicates a healthy ecosystem, and with its many conservation values, the Jester Preserve is just that. The preserve, located south of Rosario on the western slope of Entrance Mountain, has a nice wetland, about four acres in size, with a chain of seasonal pools connected by a seasonal stream. The mix of moving, still, and seasonal water with a variety of logs and wood debris on the ground make it an excellent place for a variety of amphibians and the invertebrates they feed on. The undisturbed waters support egg laying, where at times one can observe the bubble-like egg masses attached to underwater plants.

The soils of the wetland are very rich, thereby supporting a variety of nitrogen loving wetland plants—including slough sedge, salmonberry, and skunk cabbage. The skunk cabbage is in bloom right now (as of mid-March) and its skunky scent wafting through the woods is attracting all sorts of flies and early pollinators.

Thanks again to the Jesters for preserving this flourishing natural terrain!



#wildlifewednesday #protectwhatyoulove #sanjuanislands ... See MoreSee Less

With Spring comes another a joyful amphibian season in the islands. Just last week, SJPT Land Steward Rob Roy McGregor spotted a long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylis) on our new Jester Preserve (Orcas Island) during a monitoring visit. Rob Roy also found a northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) there last September, along with several rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa). Long-toed salamanders and red-legged frogs somewhat rare in the islands. Thanks to visionary preserve and conservation easement donors like Bob and Pat Jester, these and many other rare (and not-so-rare) species have forever-wild homes in the San Juans. The presence of amphibians indicates a healthy ecosystem, and with its many conservation values, the Jester Preserve is just that. The preserve, located south of Rosario on the western slope of Entrance Mountain, has a nice wetland, about four acres in size, with a chain of seasonal pools connected by a seasonal stream. The mix of moving, still, and seasonal water with a variety of logs and wood debris on the ground make it an excellent place for a variety of amphibians and the invertebrates they feed on. The undisturbed waters support egg laying, where at times one can observe the bubble-like egg masses attached to underwater plants. The soils of the wetland are very rich, thereby supporting a variety of nitrogen loving wetland plants—including slough sedge, salmonberry, and skunk cabbage. The skunk cabbage is in bloom right now (as of mid-March) and its skunky scent wafting through the woods is attracting all sorts of flies and early pollinators. Thanks again to the Jesters for preserving this flourishing natural terrain! https://sjpt.org/its-amphibian-season/ #wildlifewednesday #protectwhatyoulove #sanjuanislandsImage attachmentImage attachment
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💗💗💗 Love all the critters! Each and every one of them is very special!

How wonderful, one of the many reasons that these islands are paradise. Thank you for preserving these lands!

San Juan Preservation Trust
6 days ago
San Juan Preservation Trust

Volunteers bring to the Preservation Trust what spring pollinators bring to island wildflower meadows: Their fresh and buzzing energy enlivens our conservation work. We’re grateful to all of our volunteers, which is why we are excited to celebrate #NationalVolunteerMonth! Every week in April we'll be spotlighting a unique volunteer who has furthered our mission significantly.

To kick things off, we'd like to shine a light on Skip Bold—an enthusiastic volunteer at the Ellis Preserve on Shaw Island. Skip has his signature on many completed tasks. He has carefully archived maritime history, fixed plumbing, unstuck doors, and hand-carved signs and gate latches...

Read the full "Kudos to Skip" here: ... See MoreSee Less

Volunteers bring to the Preservation Trust what spring pollinators bring to island wildflower meadows: Their fresh and buzzing energy enlivens our conservation work. We’re grateful to all of our volunteers, which is why we are excited to celebrate #NationalVolunteerMonth! Every week in April well be spotlighting a unique volunteer who has furthered our mission significantly. To kick things off, wed like to shine a light on Skip Bold—an enthusiastic volunteer at the Ellis Preserve on Shaw Island. Skip has his signature on many completed tasks. He has carefully archived maritime history, fixed plumbing, unstuck doors, and hand-carved signs and gate latches... Read the full Kudos to Skip here: https://sjpt.org/kudos-for-skip/
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