Stewardship

Annual Stewardship Monitoring Visits

Each conservation easement is visited at least once every year, providing an opportunity for staff and trained volunteers to connect with easement landowners, talk about and document any changes on the property, and record information for future reference. Easement landowners discuss property needs or concerns with the Land Trust’s conservation staff so that we can explore possible solutions, get support from one of our Science Advisory Team members, or refer landowners to helpful community resources.

Collaborative Stewardship Solutions

Invasive Species Management

As stewards of the land, we understand the critical importance of managing invasive species to maintain the ecological balance of our diverse habitats. Our Invasive Species Guide serves as an important resource for landowners who want to remove invasive plants from their property. Additionally, we manage invasive species as part of our First Wednesday Work Parties and Land Trust Teen Conservation Crew. Learn more about our approach to invasive weed management here.

Shoreline Restoration

The Powel family wanted to replace their property’s shoreline bulkhead. As longtime conservation easement landowners, they reached out to the Land Trust to explore their options. The Powel Shoreline Restoration Project is the largest shoreline restoration effort on private property in Puget Sound, with an extraordinarily successful outcome of balancing ecological restoration goals with residential use by allowing the shore and the sea to naturally reconnect. This project exemplifies how the Land Trust can guide landowners in restoration work and improve their property’s conservation conditions.

Creosote Log Removal

Some easement landowners have participated in this Department of Natural Resources program.

Additional Protection and Stewardship Activities

Conservation Planning

In 2012, the Land Trust adopted a Strategic Conservation Plan in order to help define and identify our conservation priorities and strategies. The plan, updated in 2018, provides the Land Trust’s board and staff with direction and guidance, helping to ensure that we use our resources to produce the greatest possible conservation gains for our island. Now, there is a strategic focus toward the protection wildlife networks and shorelines on our island.

First Wednesday Work Parties

Meet new friends, get some serious exercise and support the Land Trust’s mission of stewarding the unique natural environments of Bainbridge Island by volunteering at one of our First Wednesday Work Parties. These fun monthly events take place on various Land Trust conserved properties and include such important tasks as invasive species removal, native species planting and trail maintenance. Learn more.

Land Trust Teen Conservation Crew

The program offers high school students a unique opportunity to earn money while making a noticeable difference in the health of our island ecosystems, and learn more about the Land Trust’s conservation work. Learn more.

Camera Trap Studies

The Land Trust has used camera traps since 2014 to study the use of Island habitat by wildlife. Learn more about these efforts and view some of the images captured by clicking here.

Wild Fish Conservancy Stream Assessment

In 2014, Wild Fish Conservancy, in partnership with the Land Trust, conducted an inventory of the island’s watersheds as part of a regional effort to assess and identify fish bearing streams along with habitat. The results tell us where these valuable natural resources are located, and how they might inform our conservation work. Learn more.

Springbrook Creek

An impressive number of Springbrook Creek Watershed neighbors participated in the Wild Fish Conservancy’s stream typing inventory performed in 2014. Springbrook Creek is one of the most productive salmonid streams on the island, supporting populations of trout, coho and chum salmon. Learn more and view map.