Acquisition

At times, opportunities arise to purchase special properties with unique conservation features or natural areas. The Land Trust may become involved in these acquisitions in several ways. Often our organization works behind the scenes to assist in negotiations with landowners who are selling their property. We may hold an option agreement to encumber a property until the necessary funds can be raised to complete a purchase. Finally, we may embark on a fund-raising campaign to raise money for the purchase.

The Land Trust has partnered with the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, state and federal agencies, the Suquamish Tribe and other nonprofits to secure funding for various acquisitions. All of these BILT acquisitions or acquisitions with BILT assistance have become public open space with the exception of the Wildlife Corridor (BILT-owned, limited public access) and the Heart of the Forest (privately funded, at present still owned by BILT and not yet open to the public).

Public parks that BILT has helped to acquire are the Gazzam Lake Preserve (including the subsequent Close Property and Peters Tree Farm additions to it), the Grand Forest, Blakely Harbor Park, Pritchard Park, Meigs Park, Hawley Cove Park, the Olson Property addition to the Ted Olson Preserve, and the shoreline pocket park at Rockaway Beach.