April 29 Weed Pull Party!
Join Land Trust staff and a host of volunteers from 12 pm to 4 pm at the Quitslund Family Farm for an afternoon of invasive weed removal.
Come learn about this new Land Trust project, meet people and do some good work on a beautiful conservation property not yet open to the public! Work will involve removal of Himalayan blackberry, holly, and English ivy, along with general property clean up – bring a pitch fork/shovel if you can! The property is located off of NE Torvanger Rd between N Madison Ave NE and Sunrise Dr NE.
This special property represents a new model for land conservation. In 2013, the four Quitslund brothers of Bainbridge Island — Jon, Jim, Dana, and Gary — approached the Land Trust to explore ways to honor the history of the family’s 27.5 acres, protect its ecologically sensitive habitat and fish-bearing stream, and meet their financial goals. Accomplishing this would involved finding a delicate balance between development and conservation.
The Land Trust researched potential conservation buyers, and presented the options to the family. The brothers ultimately selected Ray Stevenson of Jefferson Fine Home Builders
(JFHB) to purchase the property, develop nine homes on approximately 7 acres, and involve the Land Trust in the protection and stewardship of the remaining acreage. JFHB closed on the purchase of the property in May 2016, and will donate in the future — yes, donate — 19.5 acres of conservation area to the Land Trust to own, manage and implement a stewardship plan that is being jointly created by JFHB and the Land Trust.
Stewardship of the property will focus on enhancing and protecting the wetlands, forest, and Dripping Water creek, which flows through the property. Removal of invasive plant species, restoration of the riparian habitat and fish passage on the stream, and siting public trails are components of the plans for the property. We hope you’ll join us on April 29 to get the ball rolling!