Land Stewardship

Building forests 

Building diversity brings diversity.  Over the years we have transitioned over 40 acres of pasture lands into the next generation of up-and-coming forests.  Removing invasive species and planting the right trees and shrubs all take time and energy, of which we have both.  We are a forever organization, and that means we can plan projects that take decades to complete. We do it with the help and support of our members, volunteers, and partners.  

Volunteers have helped us underplant hundreds of acres of alder-dominant forests with conifers, to help establish the next legacy of trees in some of the island's most sensitive habitats.  Along with conifers, we also prioritize increasing forest diversity by planting a wide variety of understory shrubs and deciduous trees.  Staying active on the land means that we can change strategy and adapt to the various changes that the climate is experiencing.

Building salmon habitat and restoring riparian areas.  

Cold clean water, shady creeks, pools to rest and hide, and bugs to eat, Salmon have needs like the rest of us. Our largest conservation projects have focused on Vashon’s main salmon-bearing creeks. Salmon, one of the iconic species of the Pacific Northwest, has been the focus of our conservation and restoration efforts since the Land Trust began. Preserving and restoring these important habitats has taken decades, and will continue for decades to come. With the help of our partners throughout Puget Sound, we have completed dozens of wood placement projects, riparian plantings, culvert replacements, pond repairs, and invasive species removal. The list goes on and on. The thinning of one dense forest produces wood that can be turned into instream structures to help slow the flows and build important pool habitat. Salmon habitat and the health of our riparian areas will continue to be the focus of our work at the Land Trust.

Trails, integrating people onto the land.

Almost as important as restoring and enhancing the land is inviting people to explore and connect to these wild places. Walking through a newly planted forest, a pasture freed of scotch broom, along a creek with salmon racing to spawn, connects people to the land that sustains us. It allows our community to establish a relationship with our environment. Trails also allow us access to easily enter and enhance the forest and remove invasive species. Trails allow us a place to bring children and teach them about the magic of nature. Trails are a fantastic way for us to introduce our community to what we do and why we do it. Trails are a place for Shinrin Yoku, a Japanese term for “forest bathing”, to immerse yourself in nature, settle your soul, and put your mind at ease. We are happy to provide such opportunities for our community.

Building environmental leaders

In 2006 we started an internship program to bring young adults to the island and teach them about conservation, habitat restoration, Pacific Northwest ecology, woodworking, welding construction, destruction, and everything in between.  We do most of our projects in-house, which requires lots of skill and lots of help.  The internship program has been an invaluable program for getting our work done and building strong empowered individuals to lead the next generations.  We have had over 50 interns since the program began, many of whom have moved on to careers in conservation, restoration, permitting, agriculture, and research.  This is one of the most satisfying elements of our stewardship program, seeing young people learn, grow, develop passion, and become empowered as part of this program.  We love that youthful energy!

Volunteers, our backbone.

Rain, sun, wind, mud, nothing deters our volunteers from coming out to help every Tuesday.  We are so grateful for the countless hours our volunteers have spent planting native plants, clearing invasive species, building trails,and so much more.  These great people are those referenced in the phrase “it takes a village”. They are the village, dedicated to living beyond themselves and doing great things for their community. If you want to join this fine cast of characters, check out our volunteer opportunities on the events page, and sign up to be added to our volunteer list here.

Here on Vashon, Forest Stewardship practices extend further than the many open spaces we enjoy, they are necessary for our own backyards! Check out our Landowner Resources blog for tips on managing your property.