Cullen Conservation Easement

Lopez Island

In 1994, Judy and Matt Cullen donated a 48-acre conservation easement on a key parcel of open space and habitat in the scenic southeastern ‘crescent’ of natural lands from the Sperry Peninsula to Iceberg Point on Lopez Island .

“Our purpose and goals for a conservation easement are to preserve the view of Hughes Bay from the road without obstruction of any kind, forever,” said the Cullens a the time of their gift.  “We want to continue the present and traditional uses of small scale farming, woodlot management, and shellfish harvesting.  We also wish to provide beach access for study of the forested wetland.  Finally, we want to add another piece to the growing matrix of protected property in the unique environment of Lopez’s Colville to Iceberg sector.”

The Cullen conservation easement permanently protects the locally-cherished vista of open fields towards Hughes Bay.  The natural shoreline, comprised of sandy-cobble beach, will be preserved as habitat for a resident colony of river otters, shorebirds, and other animals.  The forested portion of the property includes a mixed-age stand of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine, and Western red cedar, along with mixed hardwoods, and provides habitat for deer, raccoon, moles, numerous songbirds and other species.   The trees provide perching sites for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and other raptors which hunt on the property and on the nearby shoreline of Hughes Bay. Portions of the forested section will be selectively and carefully harvested according to the timber management plan laid out in the easement.