ISLAND COMMUNITY KEEPS WATMOUGH WILD
The San Juan Preservation Trust announced that it has raised the $650,000 needed to purchase and protect a 7-acre property that was susceptible to development inside Lopez Island’s Watmough Bight. This acquisition ensures that Watmough Bight will remain an undeveloped conservation area accessible to the public for generations to come.
“The island community responded in a big way in a very short period of time,” said Sven Haarhoff, director of charitable giving for the San Juan Preservation Trust. “The overwhelming support of this conservation project from throughout San Juan County — and beyond — underscores the importance of this dramatically beautiful, ecologically sensitive, and much loved bay. Thank you to everyone who took part in making this land conservation project a success.”
The San Juan Preservation Trust contributed $150,000 from its reserves (Funds previously donated by members of the Preservation Trust) and raised an additional $500,000 from more than 650 individuals, families and businesses. The San Juan County Land Bank, a public agency, contributed $575,000 to the $1.225 million project. The Land Bank will own and manage the Watmough Bight conservation area while the Preservation Trust will hold a conservation easement to ensure it remains in its natural state and publicly accessible in perpetuity.
“Much of the success of this project is due to the amazing generosity of Tex Gieling, a neighbor who owns the remaining private property inside the bay,” explained Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust. “Tex made this an attractive two-for-one deal by donating her land adjacent to the 7-acre property, giving the public even more acreage to enjoy. Her gift will be appreciated by the community for generations to come.”
“Once again the Land Bank and the Preservation Trust have worked together to protect a spectacular property that will be available for public enjoyment” said Lincoln Bormann, director of the San Juan County Land Bank. “It is a great legacy for the Islands.”
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Learn more about our efforts to “Finish the Bight” by downloading our brochure and reading the press release announcing the campaign.
