Grand Forest Drop-In Day

27 February Events Mac Davenport

Saturday, March 15

9:30am-2pm | Prue’s House at Hilltop | 9600 Mandus Olson Rd

Join us at Grand Forest Drop-in Day for an opportunity to explore the Grand Forest East and get involved with the Land Trust’s effort to protect it!

Learn about the Stand for the Grand Forest campaign and connect with partners at our drop-in Open House, volunteer at the hands-on conservation work party, hit the trails on a guided nature walk, or go for an outdoor adventure with our forest scavenger hunt!

Hosted by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, with support from the BI Parks & Trails Foundation and the BI Metro Park & Recreation District.

Open House

9:30am-2pm • Prue’s House

Drop in to learn about the history of the Grand Forest East & our community-led effort to protect it! Chat with campaign partners from the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and BI Parks & Trails Foundation, as well as local conservation experts. Bagels and light refreshments will be served.

This is a free, come-and-go event—no registration is needed for the open house.

Scavenger Hunt

9:30am-2pm • Start at Prue’s House

Go on an adventure to discover details in the forest and search for Hooty the Owl hidden in the trees. Fun for curious minds of all ages!

Drop in to Prue’s House at anytime during the open house to pick up your Scavenger Hunt sheet. Complete the scavenger hunt to win a prize!

Conservation Work Party

10am-12pm • Meet at Prue’s House

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust and the BI Metro Park & Recreation District will be leading a joint work party in the Grand Forest East, initiating our ongoing partnership to restore and steward this treasured land. Volunteer with us to help remove invasive species and maintain a healthy forest habitat.

Please register below— current Land Trust volunteers can sign up on our Volunteer Portal, while new volunteers should fill out a Volunteer Interest Form.

New Volunteers

Guided Walk & Talks

10am-2pm, 7-9:30pm • Meet at Prue’s House

Time to hit the trails! These guided walks will be led by local experts in conservation and environmental education, offering a unique opportunity to get to know the flora and fauna of the Grand Forest East. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a plant lover, or simply looking to get outside—join a walk for a chance to connect with nature and experience this forest in a new way.

Guided walks will begin at Prue’s House with a brief presentation on our Stand for the Grand Forest campaign.

10am-11am: Families in the Forest — Led by Brady Fullwood & Zoe Vrieling

Led by Brady Fullwood, Program Director at Nature Nuts, and Zoe Vrieling, Executive Director at Peacock Family Services.

For families with young explorers, set out on a fun and educational adventure in the woods! This is a perfect opportunity to engage kids with the wonders of the Grand Forest East.

10am-11am: Naturalist Walk — Led by Christina Woolf

Christina Woolf, a certified Master Naturalist and self-described “Amphibian Aficionado,” will lead a discussion on amphibians, helping participants discover the often-overlooked creatures of Bainbridge Island. Christina’s passion for nature and her work as an iNaturalist contributor will make for a captivating learning experience.

11am-12pm: Families in the Forest — Led by John & Kathy Haskin

Led by John and Kathy Haskin, lifelong environmental educators.

For families with young explorers, set out on a fun and educational adventure in the woods! This is a perfect opportunity to engage kids with the wonders of the Grand Forest East.

12pm-1pm: Native Plants— Led by John Van den Meerendonk

John van den Meerendonk, an expert horticulturalist, landscape designer, former Land Trust Board member, and “Friend of the Ferns,” will lead a walk highlighting the Grand Forest East’s flora, focusing on the diverse and fascinating native species that thrive in the area.

1-2pm: Habitat Networks & Forest Health — Led by Gina King

Led by Gina King, Conservation Director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, wildlife biologist, and inventor of the Conservation Values Index. In this guided walk, Gina will share her knowledge about wildlife networks and forest health in the Grand Forest nature complex.

7-8pm & 8:30-9:30pm: Night Woods Walks — Led by Megan Rohrssen & Gina King

For those looking for a truly unique experience, the event will feature two peaceful night walks—one at dusk and another in complete darkness. These quiet walks will allow you to experience the forest in a new light while listening to the sounds of nature at night. These walks will be led by Megan Rohrssen, the Land Trust’s Community Education Coordinator, and Gina King, the Land Trust’s Conservation Director.

Session 1: Dusk Walk, 7:00pm-8:00pm

Session 2: Night Walk, 8:30pm-9:30pm

*Please note that Land Trust public preserves and BIMPRD parks are open from dawn to dusk outside of guided walks to avoid disturbing wildlife, making these night walks a rare treat.

FAQ

WHO: This is a family-friendly event, open to all. The “Families in the Forest” walks and the scavenger hunt will be geared toward kids & their families, but children are welcome to all events under close adult supervision.

PARKING: Get Directions to Prue’s House. Parking is limited—please park by the barn behind Prue’s House (accessible off the south end of Mandus Olson Road NE, closer to New Brooklyn Rd). Carpool if possible. Additional parking is located by the entrances to the Grand Forest East, approx. 0.3 mi walk to Prue’s House.

WEATHER: The open house will be indoors, and the guided walks and work party will go on rain or shine. Bring clothing appropriate for the weather—especially sturdy, water-resistant shoes.

ACCESSIBILITY: The guided walks will take place on the trails in the Grand Forest East, with largely flat, even terrain.

REGISTRATION: The open house and scavenger hunt are FREE and no registration is required.

To attend a guided walk, register here. Please make a $5 suggested donation per attendee (additional donations are always welcome.) Email Megan if you are unable to pay the donation but would still like to register.

To volunteer at the conservation work party, current Land Trust volunteers can sign up on our Volunteer Portal. First-time volunteers, please fill out a volunteer interest form.

ABOUT THE GRAND FOREST EAST: The Grand Forest Complex includes several interconnected parcels that form an expansive and ecologically significant natural area, making up approx. 580 contiguous acres of conserved lands. The Grand Forest East is one of the largest and most-visited sections, featuring dense forest core, critical wildlife habitat, and popular multi-use trails.

About Stand for the Grand Forest

This spring, nearly 40 acres of beloved forest and trails enjoyed as part of the Grand Forest East could be lost to development. Led by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, with the support of the BI Parks & Trails Foundation, our mission is clear: to protect this extraordinary land and ensure that its natural beauty and benefits endure.

Without immediate action, the land, trees, and trails of the Grand Forest East could be lost. We need your support to guarantee that this treasured forest habitat and parkland is conserved for generations to come.

Join our movement to Stand for the Grand Forest and together we can protect a place we love at the heart of the Island. Learn more & donate today.

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