November 12th, 2008 News and Events

Campaign to Save “The Mountain” on Guemes Hangs in the Balance

November 12th, 2008

Mt. Baker as seen from the top of Guemes Mountain

The San Juan Preservation Trust’s campaign to permanently preserve “The Mountain” - the highest place on Guemes Island - is now at a decisive point. We have been engaged in a feasibility campaign to determine the level of support for saving this beloved open space, and the results so far have fallen well short of our goal to collect pledges equal to 80% of the full amount, or $2 million, by November 2008. Despite generous support from many islanders, we are still $300,000 short of this threshold and are urgently seeking leadership pledges of over $10,000 to close the gap.While the recent economic turmoil has made our campaign more difficult, we know that this opportunity is precious and may not come again. No one is making new mountains on Guemes Island!

By the end of this year, the boards of the San Juan Preservation Trust and Skagit Land Trust will face a difficult vote on whether to commit non-refundable earnest money and staff resources to extend the sales agreement an additional 9 months to September 2009. If you (or someone you know) share our belief in the importance of preserving this mountain, please contact Brian Windrope at (360) 378-2461.

San Juan Valley Farmland Saved

October 6th, 2008

The San Juan Preservation Trust and the San Juan County Land Bank announced today that they have purchased 120 acres of the Wade Sundstrom farm in San Juan Island’s scenic San Juan Valley. This acquisition includes 80 highly-visible acres at the corner of Douglas Road and San Juan Valley Road, as well as a separate 40-acre tract along Douglas Road that is adjacent to farmland already protected by the Preservation Trust. The purchase price was $2.1 million.The Land Bank, which took the lead in the negotiations, will work with the Preservation Trust to craft a conservation easement on the property eliminating all potential residential development. “The goal of the acquisition is to see that this land stays a working farm into the future. Having the Preservation Trust partner with us was a key to making the purchase a success,” said Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director.

Tim Seifert, Executive Director of the San Juan Preservation Trust stated, “We’re extremely pleased to be a part of this project. This farm, in many ways, is the gateway to the valley. Keeping it in agriculture is a huge step in preserving the character of the island.” The Preservation Trust will contribute $500,000 to the project.

“The Sundstrom family played an important part in saving the farm as well,” Bormann added. “They had higher offers from people who wanted to develop the property. Instead they chose to honor their heritage.”

“I know my family, extended family, and the community, appreciate the value of preserving this property,” said Betsy Dues, Wade Sundstrom’s daughter. “In the years to come when our family visits the farm and looks out over cattle grazing in the fields and takes in the amazing sunsets, we will all be forever grateful.”

Caps Available to Support the Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project

September 19th, 2008

There is a new hat in town, and it can be yours when you support our efforts to reintroduce the Western bluebird to the San Juan Islands! By purchasing one of these quality hats with a Western bluebird logo on the front and “San Juan Islands Bluebird Reintroduction” on the back, you can help fund the project for 2009.

The hats are “free” with a donation of $150 or more. All proceeds will go directly to the San Juan Islands Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project fund. We have had an amazingly successful 2008 so far (read more about it by clicking on the “Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project” on the home page), but funds are still needed to continue the project in 2009.

To get your cap today please write your check to the San Juan Preservation Trust (be sure to write “bluebird project in the memo field) and mail it to Kathleen Foley, SJPT, Box 327 Lopez, WA 98261. All proceeds will go directly to the Bluebird Project Fund. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Close up of front of cap

Preservation Trust Says Goodbye to Some Familiar Faces

September 18th, 2008

It is with mixed emotions that we report that two of our longest-serving staff members have moved on to new adventures:

Sheri Miklaski, our Office Manager for the past five years, loaded all of her belongings (including her handsome dog Bear) into a rental truck at the end of July and drove from Lopez Island to Austin, Texas to pursue a graduate degree in library sciences at The University of Texas. In addition to serving as our bookkeeper, fundraising coordinator, receptionist and general office shepherd, she was also instrumental (as this photo illustrates) in removing sheep poop from the pasture in advance of the “Rally for Turtleback” that was held on the Coffelt Farm on Orcas Island in September 2006. Good luck, Sheri - we really miss you (”Hook ‘em Horns!”)

Sven Haarhoff, who was our Director of Charitable Giving the past four years, has accepted the position of Director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. Sven joined the Preservation Trust in 2004, and despite being new to the world of fundraising, quickly took the reigns of the Crow Valley fundraising effort and drove it to its successful conclusion. His legacy also includes leadership in the Turtleback Mountain and Watmough Bight capital campaigns, but he will be most fondly remembered by many of us as the star of this KSTW-TV public service spot. Mahalo, Sven - you are (and always will be) our Project Green!