News

02 May Successful Campaign Unites Community to Protect 38 Acres of Grand Forest East

News Mac Davenport

May 2, 2025 BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA – The Bainbridge Island Land Trust, together with its partners— the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation—announces the success of the collaborative campaign to protect the 38-acre parcel at Grand Forest East. Launched on short notice and under an urgent timeline, the campaign received an extraordinary outpouring of generosity and support. Announced only two months ago with a goal to raise over $2.2 million, the campaign faced a tight timeline after the announcement by the Bainbridge Island School District to surplus the 38- acre property in February. The success of this campaign was vital to ensure the property could be purchased by the Park District, which will preserve the land for recreation and conservation. The parcel has been managed as part of the Grand Forest parkland for more than 30 years, even though it was owned by the School District as a possible school site. The community responded swiftly with contributions from hundreds of supporters, including a transformational gift by a private conservation fund established by an Island family, allowing this campaign to reach its ambitious goal in a short timeframe. The success ensures that the property will remain preserved as a public park for future generations, securing its place in the heart of the Island’s natural landscape. “We are incredibly grateful to the Bainbridge Island community for its overwhelming support for the Stand for the Grand Forest campaign,” said Cullen Brady, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. “This collaboration has been a wonderful example of how we can come together to protect the Island’s most cherished places. This campaign demonstrated the strength and unity of this community by ensuring this land remains in public ownership.” The property, which is part of the…

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Two herons interact at their nest in a big leaf maple tree

09 Apr Bainbridge Island Land Trust Secures Permanent Protection for Winslow Heron Rookery with Strong Community Support

News Mac Davenport

Bainbridge Island, WA — April 9, 2025 — The Bainbridge Island Land Trust announced today that is closing on the purchase of the Winslow Heron Rookery, a vital nesting site for Great Blue Herons along the shores of Eagle Harbor. This achievement was made possible through the generosity and dedication of community members who rallied to safeguard this critical habitat. The Winslow Rookery, home to approximately 25 heron nests constructed high in the big leaf maple trees, is one of the few known nesting sites for Great Blue Herons on Bainbridge Island. The half-acre parcel also includes tidelands, shoreline, wetlands, and riparian vegetation—essential for maintaining Eagle Harbor’s ecological health and resilience to a changing climate. In 2024, the property was listed for sale, raising concerns within the community about potential development that could threaten the sensitive habitat. After completing its standard due diligence process and negotiations, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust mobilized a fundraising campaign in February 2025 with a goal of $300,000 to secure the land. Thanks to an outpouring of community support, the campaign successfully raised the funds, enabling the Land Trust to purchase the property and ensure the long-term protection and stewardship of the rookery. “This conservation success demonstrates our community’s deep commitment to protecting Bainbridge Island’s wildlife habitats and natural spaces,” said Cullen Brady, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. “Because of this collective effort, the Winslow Heron Rookery will remain a safe haven for Great Blue Herons and other wildlife for generations to come.” The Land Trust extends its gratitude to all the donors, volunteers, and partners who contributed to this effort. Their support underscores the community’s ongoing dedication to protecting the Island’s cherished natural environments. In late March, several Great Blue Herons were seen returning to the rookery for their annual nesting…

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21 Feb Bainbridge Island Land Trust, with the support of the Parks & Trails Foundation, launches campaign to protect 39 acres as public park at Grand Forest East

News Mac Davenport BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA – The Bainbridge Island Land Trust with the support of the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation have launched a campaign to raise funds to protect 39 acres at Grand Forest East, allowing purchase by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District.   The Park District on February 21, 2025, announced its intent to purchase the property, contingent on a successful fundraising campaign. With negotiations now underway, the fundraising campaign, Stand for the Grand Forest, is expected to be over $2 million, said Cullen Brady, Executive Director, Bainbridge Island Land Trust.  The Board of the Bainbridge Island School District voted to surplus the 39-acre property. “This is an urgent campaign,” Brady said. “The School District’s January 9, 2025, action to surplus and sell this property, among their first order of business in the new year, started the clock ticking. We need the community to join us in protecting the Grand Forest as we know and enjoy it.”  The parcel is adjacent to Grand Forest East and has long been maintained as part of the Island’s park, trail, and nature preserve networks. Partners hope to complete the fundraising campaign and purchase by the Park District this spring. “Acquiring this property and formally protecting it for conservation and recreation has been a longtime goal of the Park District, and this is an opportunity to realize that goal,” said Dan Hamlin, Executive Director of the Park & Recreation District. “We can’t make this purchase without the community’s help, so we’re thrilled that the Land Trust and Parks & Trails Foundation are partnering on this fundraising campaign.”   The property holds significant conservation value for forest, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. This campaign is associated with the Land Trust’s ongoing acquisition movement, dedicated to conserving the Island’s most cherished natural habitats. The Land...
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Two herons interact at their nest

04 Feb A Rare Chance to Conserve Winslow’s Great Blue Heron Rookery

News Mac Davenport The Land Trust plans to acquire shoreline to protect critical habitat for the iconic Great Blue Heron Bainbridge Island, WA — January 28, 2025 Along a stretch of shoreline on Eagle Harbor, you’ll hear the echoes of the sounds of Herons and rustling trees above – this is a place where Great Blue Herons return year after year to nest. This special place isn’t just a piece of land; it’s a home for wildlife and a beloved sanctuary in our community. The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is excited to announce a new project to protect the Winslow Rookery, a vital nesting site for Great Blue Herons located on Lovell Avenue. This effort is part of the ongoing Stand for the Land movement, dedicated to conserving the Island’s most cherished natural habitats. The Winslow Rookery, established for decades, is one of the few known Great Blue Heron nesting sites on Bainbridge Island. With approximately 30 nests, it plays a crucial role in the life cycle of these majestic birds, which are considered a sensitive species by the Washington State Department of Ecology. In April 2024, two undeveloped waterfront parcels encompassing the rookery were listed for sale, prompting community concern over potential development impacts on this essential habitat. Recognizing the ecological significance of the rookery, the Land Trust is now working to acquire and permanently protect the portion of the property with the greatest number of bird nests. “The Great Blue Heron is an iconic species on this Island, and the Winslow Rookery is indispensable for their continued presence here,” said Cullen Brady, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. “Conserving this habitat aligns with our mission to conserve and steward the diverse natural environments of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all.” LEARN MORE This is a rare opportunity to safeguard...
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14 Jan 2025 Book Bingo: Read with the Land Trust!

News Mac Davenport The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is holding a 2025 Book Bingo, inspired by the wonderful Seattle Public Library’s Summer Book Bingo! HOW IT WORKS Download the 2025 Book Bingo card. Between now and December 31, 2025, select books based on these conservation-related categories. Track your reading on the bingo card; one book can only be used to meet one category. For example, you could use a book of poems about birds for EITHER "nature poetry" or "feathered friends" but not both. Complete a bingo and/or blackout! You will receive a prize for both 1 bingo and blackout, but not more than 1 bingo. To receive your prize, drop off your card at our office or take a photo/scan and send it to Megan. You will need to collect your prize at the Land Trust office (147 Finch Place SW, Suite #3, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110)   Bingo: When you read a book that fits the category, write its title in the box. You may get 5 in a row up & down, left to right, or diagonally. The Free square counts towards your 5. Blackout: When you read a book that fits the category, write its title in the box. When you fill out the whole card (24 titles + the free square), you have blackout. WHERE CAN I FIND READING IDEAS? 2025 Suggested Reading List, curated by Bainbridge Island Land Trust staff & board Seattle Public Library Reading Lists: Birds Environmental Cli-fi or Environmental Non-fiction Local Author list from Bainbridge Public Library University of Wisconsin-Madison Water FIND BOOKS Eagle Harbor Books Bainbridge Island Public Library Friends of the Bainbridge Island Library Book Sales Please feel free to reach out to Megan Rohrssen, Community Education Coordinator, with any questions or suggestions. Happy reading!
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Volunteers at a Land Trust work party: 10 people stand in a meadow holding weed wrenches and work gloves.

13 Jan Launching New “Friends of the Land Trust” Volunteer Groups

News Mac Davenport Join the Bainbridge Island Land Trust's team of passionate environmental stewards – become a member of the Friends of Agate Passage Preserve or Friends of Manzanita Ridge Preserve! These volunteer groups offer a unique opportunity for those eager to make a meaningful impact in their local community by supporting the Land Trust's vital conservation efforts. Learn to perform hands-on stewardship work, such as invasive species removal, habitat restoration, plantings, trail maintenance, and beach cleanups. Questions? Email Sydney, our Stewardship Associate. Join Friends of Manzanita Ridge Preserve What is Friends of Manzanita Ridge? Friends of Manzanita Ridge is a volunteer group dedicated to supporting stewardship efforts at the Preserve. Through hands-on activities like invasive species removal, trail maintenance, plantings, and watering, this group plays a key role in maintaining and preserving Manzanita Ridge. By joining, you will: Meet new friends and neighbors Strengthen community connections Help the Land Trust preserve this beautiful natural space Gain environmental education and outreach opportunities   Responsibilities Attend the virtual training & in-person site visit Meet every few months at Manzanita Ridge Preserve to complete stewardship activities Report progress back to Land Trust staff Track volunteer hours Coordinate volunteer work parties as needed   Get Involved Today! Virtual Training: Thursday, March 6th from 5:30 – 6:30 PM on Zoom Site Visit: Saturday, March 8th from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Manzanita Ridge Preserve Interested in becoming a member or team leader? Fill out the form here or reach out to Sydney, our Stewardship Associate. Let’s make a positive impact together! Join Friends of Agate Passage Preserve What is Friends of Agate Passage Preserve? Friends of Agate Passage Preserve is a volunteer group dedicated to supporting stewardship efforts at the Preserve. Through hands-on activities like invasive species removal, trail maintenance, plantings, and beach cleanups, this group plays...
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A person walking two dogs on a trail in the Grand Forest East, surrounded by towering conifer trees.

07 Jan Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Parks & Trails Foundation to work with community to protect the 39-acre parcel in Grand Forest system  

News Mac Davenport January 10, 2025 | Bainbridge Island, WA The Bainbridge Island Land Trust and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation acknowledge the recent announcement by the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) that it plans to surplus, or sell, its 39-acre property that functions as part of Grand Forest East parkland. The Grand Forest nature complex is a treasured Bainbridge Island landscape, known for its interconnected trail network, intact forest core and vital natural habitats.  Recognizing the conservation and recreational value of this land, our organizations are united in our commitment to protect it permanently, ensuring that it remains undeveloped and accessible to the community for future generations. On January 9, the School Board voted to surplus the 39-acre parcel. The Land Trust and Parks & Trails Foundation will work closely with the Bainbridge Island community, local leaders, and other stakeholders as we explore ways to safeguard this valuable resource. We encourage everyone to join us in helping to conserve one of the Island’s most beloved natural and recreational spaces. A Brief History on the Grand Forest and this 39-acre parcel This parcel and the surrounding lands, known today as the Grand Forest, were originally managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to generate revenue for public education through timber harvests or land sales. In the late 1980s, plans by the State to sell the land prompted local activism. The “Committee to Save the DNR Forest” joined the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Park District to fundraise through a bond levy, successfully protecting the first 240 acres of the Grand Forest, including the original Grand Forest West, North, and East (southern tract) parcels. At the same time, this 39-acre parcel was acquired by the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) to serve as a potential school site based on projected population growth. As growth slowed...
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Northern Red-Legged Frog

17 Dec Volunteers Needed for Amphibian Monitoring

News Mac Davenport

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is seeking volunteers for amphibian monitoring!  We are collaborating with Bloedel Reserve and the Woodland Park Zoo to study frog and salamander populations on Bainbridge Island through egg mass surveys of ponds. Volunteers can expect to see red-legged frog eggs and tadpoles, as well as long-toed salamander eggs and larvae. Volunteers will be required to commit to: Completing 3-5 hours of self-paced, virtual training through the Woodland Park Zoo by January 17th, 2025 Attending one in-person field training with Bloedel Reserve the week of January 20th, 2025 Conducting one 3-hour field visit and data entry every month from January through May 2025   If you are interested in participating, please contact Megan Rohrssen or Sarah Keller. Thank you! Pictured: Northern Red-Legged Frog at Cougar Creek Preserve, © Sue Larkin

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Governor Jay Inslee and Nora Nickum posing with a sign that says "NO 2117, We Can't Afford It"

12 Sep Bainbridge Island Land Trust Speaks Out Against WA Initiative 2117

News Mac Davenport

On September 8, our very own Nora Nickum, Board Member and Public Policy Committee Chair at the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, appeared alongside Governor Jay Inslee and No On 2117 organizers to speak out against Initiative 2117 at a local rally. The Land Trust is leading the effort to create a local coalition and spread the word with Islanders about the dangers of this initiative and the importance of defeating it. At the Land Trust, we know that to safeguard the lands and waters of Bainbridge Island for future generations of people and wildlife, we need strong climate policies and public investments in things like acquiring land for conservation, removing fish passage barriers, and restoring habitat. Through the Climate Commitment Act, championed by Governor Inslee, over $2 billion has been invested in crucial community initiatives such as conservation, public transit, decarbonization, air quality improvement, wildfire prevention, climate resilience, energy assistance for low-income households, salmon recovery, and farmland preservation. If passed, Initiative 2117 would repeal this vital legislation, preventing future carbon pricing laws and eliminating billions in funding. Joining a diverse coalition of over 450 organizations—including faith groups, unions, municipalities, major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon, the Suquamish Tribe, and organizations like the Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy—the Land Trust urges voters to reject 2117 to safeguard these essential environmental and community investments.  Join your neighbors in voting NO on 2117 this November to protect the air, water, forests, and farmland of Bainbridge Island and across Washington for generations to come. Organizations can join the coalition by pledging to vote no. For more information, visit no2117.com.

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24 Jun Strategic Land Use at the Heart of Land Trust and Housing Resources Partnership

News BILT Admin

Cullen Brady and Phedra Elliott — Guest Column in Kitsap Sun   Two years ago, when Housing Resources Bainbridge (HRB) and the Bainbridge Island Land Trust co-wrote a newsletter article which explored our interest in one another’s work and our still-nascent partnership, a supporter of both organizations wrote to thank us. The partnership, she said, “presents a stronger response,” eliminating “the need to choose.” She is not alone. We are heartened by the number of islanders supporting both organizations, a testament to an increasingly sophisticated understanding of our community’s need for both affordable housing and environmental protection. Earlier this year, HRB and the Land Trust announced a joint project that will combine the two interests. The Land Trust acquired three contiguous 5-acre parcels of undeveloped land along Lovgreen Road near Highway 305. The Land Trust evaluates all potential acquisitions using a conservation values index which identifies areas with the highest ecological attributes, such as healthy habitat, the presence of wetlands, or importance as a wildlife corridor, and directs its finite resources to purchase and restore land with the greatest value. The Lovgreen property was notable for its relatively intact forest within a larger band of connected forested habitat. But the property stood out for another reason too. A portion of one parcel fronting the road demonstrated signs of recent human activity with younger vegetation and invasive species — presenting an opportunity for partnership with HRB. The Land Trust will sell this small section to HRB, where in a few years, HRB will develop a cluster of small single-family homes consistent with existing zoning and affordable housing policy. Like any other HRB development, these homes will be affordable to low-income households as defined by HUD, and they will be kept permanently affordable to eligible households through price regulation and income qualification….

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