Author: BILT Admin

13 Oct Introducing Friends of Agate Passage Preserve!

Events BILT Admin

Bring your work gloves and passion – we need your help caring for Agate Passage Preserve.   Friends of Agate Passage Preserve is a volunteer group dedicated to assisting the Land Trust in achieving stewardship goals by helping with tasks on the preserve. Future dedicated members of Friends of Agate Passage Preserve will aid the Land Trust in achieving its conservation goals on the ground. Weren’t able to attend our Zoom info session? View the recording here! Interested in learning more or becoming a friend? Sign up below! If you are a current friend looking to track your volunteer stewardship hours, please fill out this form. Questions? Please email Thea.

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28 Sep First Wednesday Work Party at Wildlife Corridor – October 6th, 2021

Events BILT Admin

The October First Wednesday Work Party (October 6th) will take place at Wildlife Corridor from 9 am to 11 am. We will be working at Wildlife Corridor clearing ivy and blackberry from the eastern side of the property. The work area is a bit of a walk from the parking area and can be a bit steep depending on which invasive you want to tackle. If you haven’t been to Wildlife Corridor before it is in the center of the Island off of Koura Rd. The property is 34.5 acres and contains mixed riparian, wetland, and forest habitats and provides a critical connection for wildlife moving between Meigs Park and the Grand Forest complex. As always parking is limited so please RSVP if you are planning to attend. Parking directions will be provided next week for those who sign up. Tools, refreshments, and treats will be provided, so come with a pair of work gloves and be prepared to have a fun time of conversation, invasive species control, and enjoy Wildlife Corridor. If you are interested in attending, please email Lexi Wagor ([email protected]) or sign up on the Bainbridge Island Land Trust webpage – https://www.bi-landtrust.org/work-parties/

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21 May Using Cameras to Better Understand Bainbridge Island Wildlife: Recorded Presentation

Events BILT Admin

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the presentation! You can now view a full recording of the event by clicking the image, below. Since 2015, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has used remote cameras, also known as “camera traps,” to better understand wildlife occurrence and behavior on our Island, and has utilized these insights in management plans for our lands. In 2020, the Land Trust was awarded a grant by the Bainbridge Community Foundation to expand the community’s involvement in this effort and to expand Woodland Park Zoo’s Seattle Urban Carnivore Project onto Bainbridge Island. Over the past year, with guidance from Woodland Park Zoo, Land Trust volunteers have been engaged in camera trap efforts across three properties. In this community presentation, we discuss how the insights gained from camera trapping can help us to appreciate and maintain our Island’s wildlife, with practical tips for coexisting with carnivores, in particular. We also let you know how you can participate in these camera trapping efforts.

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22 Apr Save the Date! Building Knowledge of Bainbridge Island Wildlife with Cameras

Events BILT Admin

Community Presentation  May 19 6-7 PM Zoom Since 2015, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has used remote cameras, also known as “camera traps,” to better understand wildlife occurrence and behavior on our Island, and has utilized these insights in management plans for our lands. In 2020, the Land Trust was awarded a grant by the Bainbridge Community Foundation to expand the community’s involvement in this effort and to expand Woodland Park Zoo’s Seattle Urban Carnivore Project onto Bainbridge Island. Over the past year, with guidance from Woodland Park Zoo, Land Trust volunteers have been engaged in camera trap efforts across three properties. In this community presentation, we will discuss how the insights gained from camera trapping can help us to appreciate and maintain our Island’s wildlife, with practical tips for coexisting with carnivores, in particular. We’ll also let you know how you can participate in these camera trapping efforts.   UPDATE 5/14:  Thank you to everyone who registered for the presentation! Currently, our Zoom capacity has been met and registration is now closed. But, not to fear! The presentation will be recorded and uploaded to the Land Trust’s website.  If you have any other questions, please contact Matt Steinwurtzel, our Community Engagement Coordinator.

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20 Apr Help Steward the Cougar Creek Preserve – Volunteers Needed!

Events BILT Admin

Calling all Volunteers! First Wednesday Work Parties are back and the Bainbridge Island Land Trust needs your help! Come join us on Wednesday, August 4th to tackle Himalayan blackberry out at the Land Trust’s Cougar Creek Preserve. This 15.35 acre property was purchased as part of the Stand for the Land Campaign and provides critical wildlife habitat on the south side of the Island including mature forest, wetlands, and a large seasonal pond which is great for wildlife and bird watching. Help us maintain an active restoration area on the property and begin clearing the space for future planting work parties! We are hosting two time slots on August 4th: 9 am – 11 am 4 pm – 6 pm If you’re able to join us for either of these times, please sign-up by clicking here.  Snacks and refreshments will be provided, along with tools. Parking details will be provided to those who RSVP. We hope you join us!

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13 Apr Ted Olson Nature Preserve Expanded!

News BILT Admin

The Ted Olson Nature Preserve has been expanded by adding two more acres to this beloved neighborhood-protected area. In partnership with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and a neighborhood-led group, Friends of Ted Olson, a successful fundraising drive was launched to expand the beloved park and save critical habitat. When the Island neighborhood group first heard that the two-acre parcel adjacent to the Preserve was at risk of development, they knew they had to act quickly. The group approached the Land Trust to assist with the effort to acquire and secure the parcel. With nearly two acres of mixed alder and conifer forest and a native plant understory featuring salmonberry, salal, fern, skunk cabbage, and more, these additional acres protect portions of a larger wetland complex and build upon an existing wildlife network in the vicinity. After an energetic few months of fundraising and community appeals by the neighborhood group, including a grant from the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation and a significant financial commitment by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District (BIMPRD) – the Land Trust had the funds needed to purchase the property. Thanks to the committed action of the neighborhood group and other community partners, these two additional acres will be added to the Ted Olson Nature Preserve. This addition will be permanently protected through a Bainbridge Island Land Trust Conservation Easement. The Island community will now be able to enjoy the expanded natural wonders within the Ted Olson Nature Preserve. The Land Trust thanks the Friends of Ted Olson, the neighborhood group, the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District (BIMPRD), the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation, and the generous community of supporters who stood up to help save and conserve this land.   Ted Olson Nature Preserve © Shaun Swalley

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25 Mar Celebrate Earth Month and Take Action with the Earth Month Activities Calendar!

Events BILT Admin

Everyone can take action to support and celebrate our environment and planet Earth. We encourage you to participate in Earth month in a way that respects the social distancing measures necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explore the activities and events hosted by the Land Trust and our partners throughout all of April with the calendar, below. Click here to download your calendar. Looking to get outdoors and tackle invasive weeds? Join us for our First Wednesday Work Party, held on April 7th from 9-11 am. To signup, click here.  And don’t forget – the Land Trust’s FREE Invasive Disposal Days will be held on Sunday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 25th, from 10 am – 4 pm.  

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25 Mar Renew Your Commitment to the Land Trust’s Conservation Work!

News BILT Admin

  Bainbridge Islanders seeking to stay healthy and find solace during the pandemic have flocked to the Island’s natural areas. Thanks to decades of support from Land Trust members, there are a lot of options available. Your membership will provide support for day-to-day Land Trust operations and allow us to continue tackling conservation projects large and small – while stewarding and restoring properties already protected. Plus, Land Trust members receive twice-yearly newsletters (look for yours in early April) and early access to the Native Plant Sale slated for October! Join as a first-time member, or renew your membership here.  

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15 Mar April’s Free Invasive Disposal Days Are Back!

Events BILT Admin

The Land Trust’s Free Invasive Disposal Days are back!   Sundays, April 18 and 25 from 10am to 4pm. We’re here to help you get your yard in order with two days of FREE Invasive Weed Disposal! Bring your weeds to the transfer station and the Land Trust will cover the cost of disposal. Invasive plant targets are Scotch broom, English holly, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, tansy ragwort, English laurel, and the noxious weeds on King county’s “Noxious Weed” list. Please do not mix in non-invasive yard waste. For questions about whether or not something will be accepted, email Andrew Fraser, Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator, or call (206) 842-1216. Invasive plant species are one of the leading causes of vegetation biodiversity loss. They spread quickly and can displace native plants, prevent new native plant growth, and create monocultures. Lack of diversity among native plants reduces the quality and quantity of fish and wildlife habitat. Remove your invasives now while the ground is soft and make room for native plants come fall and winter when the weather is best for planting! Resources: The Land Trust’s Invasive Weed Primer Jeannette Franks’ Despicable 6 King County Noxious Weed List A special thanks to Bainbridge Disposal for helping facilitate this important event. If you are interested in volunteering for the invasive disposal effort, please email Matt.

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16 Feb Join us for the Virtual 2021 Bainbridge Environmental Conference!

Events BILT Admin

The Future of Our Forests – Bainbridge Island & the Climate Crisis Passionate about Bainbridge Island’s forests and wildlife? Want to learn more about the impact of climate change, and what you can do about it? Join city, state, and regional scientists for the free, virtual 2021 Bainbridge Island Environmental Conference! Each Sunday throughout March, we’ll be hosting a community conversation on the research and best practices for stewarding our natural environment in the face of climate change. Feel free to sign up for one session, or join us for all four! To sign-up, visit islandwood.org/conference. March 14th’s conversation will include a presentation by the Land Trust’s own Gina King (Conservation Project Lead) and Ken Bevis of the Washington Department of Natural Resources on managing forest habitat to support wildlife.  

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