Klokke Conservation Easement

San Juan Island

Before he passed away in 1995, Karl Klokke of San Juan Island gave all of us a wonderful gift: He preserved a portion of natural shoreline on Griffin Bay on the east side of San Juan Island.

“Karl knew his time was limited and he wanted to leave a legacy of protection to the islands,” said Les Gunther, a friend of Karl’s and president of the Preservation Trust’s board of trustees at the time of the donation. “Karl called me and we made it happen. Both Karl and his family were pleased to be able to make a difference.”

The protected property’s natural setting was important to Klokke and his children (Alex, Karl Jr, and Karen), who inherited the land. It includes approximately 500 feet on a prominent rocky shoreline point with a beautiful little cove and a sandy-cobble beach. The northern portion of the property is wooded and undeveloped. Visible from Pear Point, Dinner Island, and the waters of North and Griffin Bays, this picturesque property will remain as it is in perpetuity, thanks to Karl’s foresight.