Results: Great Peninsula Conservancy has protected over 8,500 acres of this spectacular region of west Puget Sound, including magnificent evergreen forests, marine shorelines, salmon streams, and working lands. It has also created community parks that connect people with nature, and create habitat for wildlife.
Geographic areas served: Kitsap, Mason, and western Pierce counties in Washington
Programs: Program: conservationworking with partners and community groups, great peninsula conservancy conserved lands and waters in kitsap, mason and pierce counties, wa for wildlife and people. Gpc's grovers creek preserve near kingston grew by 80 acres, protecting forest, extensive wetlands and stream for salmon, birds and other wildlife. On hood canal, gpc protected 10 acres of forest, high bluff and tidelands providing habitat for marine critters. Gpc preserved 28 acres of salmon stream and amazing forest on south kitsap's curley creek. A years-long kitsap forest & bay partnership concluded with the addition of 1500 acres to kitsap county's port gamble forest heritage park, with its 60 miles of trails that are popular with outdoor recreationists.
program: stewardshipin collaboration with partners and volunteers, great peninsula conservancy conducted stewardship activities on our own conservation lands as well as at public parks, including at port gamble forest park, banner forest park, and klingel wetlands wildlife refuge. Work at port gamble forest included building a shoreline bluff trail and a boardwalk and scenic overlook on the beaver pond trail. Gpc carried out monitoring activities to ensure private lands we have protected by permanent conervation agreements (easements) are effectively protecting the environment. Gpc continued extensive efforts to restore and protect lands we have conserved by removing invasive plants and planting native trees and shrubs.
program: outreachgreat peninsula conservancy produced and disseminated newsletters, brochures, displays, website content, and social media messages to engage community members and inspire them to become involved in helping to conserve and care for forests, shorelines and open spaces. Gpc conducted nature walks, salmon viewing events, community celebrations, and volunteer stewardship activities to re-route trails, clean up litter, and remove invasive plants. Gpc completed a plan to provide public access opportunities at our new filucy bay preserve that will include a kayak landing site and walking trails. We designed and installed interpretive signs at klingel wetlands wildlife refuge to increase public enjoyment of this wildlife sanctuary on hood canal.
