Wildlife Habitat
Saving more places for wildlife
Protecting and restoring habitat helps all wildlife thrive and gives threatened species a better chance to survive.
Wild creatures are part of our community, and as our islands continue to grow, their vital habitats shrink.
Our Conservation Land Bank is strategically linking together large, protected areas for wildlife, and restoring critical habitats.
Photo: Great Horned Owl at Land Bank easement property
“There is a limited amount of undeveloped land left in the San Juans. It is our responsibility to protect what we can of it. Not only for public use, but for all the wild creatures big and small that depend on wild lands staying wild. ”
— G.G.K., Lopez Island
Why I Support the Land Bank
How the Land Bank Protects
Our Wildlife Habitat
Growing Preserves to Support Wildlife
Ten of the last 11 properties purchased by the Land Bank expand existing preserves. The latest – Cady Mountain Preserve –grew six times in 20 years with strategic acquisitions, and now connects to other protected lands to form one of the largest conserved areas in the islands. Five or more distinct habitats support a diversity of wildlife.
Photo: Cady Mountain Preserve addition, made possible with the help of San Juan Preservation Trust
Our majestic Garry oak has lost 99% of its habitat in San Juan Islands. A “keystone" species, nearly 200 species depend on this crucial tree for their survival. The Land Bank is working to expand oak savanna by thinning encroaching conifers and planting thousands of acorns and seedlings, caging them to protect from browsing deer.
Photo: Garry oak acorns, ready for planting
Garry Oak Habitat Restoration
Non-native plants can outcompete natives that evolved to support wildlife. Protecting our wildlife includes keeping these non-natives in check. The Land Bank monitors our preserves and frequently hosts volunteer work parties to help remove non-natives of highest concern, and replace with natives.
Photo: Institute of Applied Ecology staff establish Italian arum plots at Fisherman Bay Spit Preserve
Non-native Species Management
Coho Preserve on Orcas contains the lower reach of Cascade Creek and spawning grounds for the last wild salmon run in the county. The Land Bank is seeking to secure more water rights to provide critical streamflow for fish, especially needed as our summers become drier. More than 6,000 trees and shrubs have been planted for wildlife.
Photo: Summer fish surveys at Coho Preserve confirm returns of Coho, Chinook and trout.
Native Fish at Coho Preserve
The idea of a native plant nursery started when the Land Bank had challenges finding suitable plants for restoring preserves and decided to start growing its own. This joint project with San Juan Preservation Trust protects genetic diversity of native plants in the islands and sustainably re-wilds our preserves.
Photo: Loading up at Salish Seeds nursery
The Salish Seeds Project
Assessing wildlife at a preserve to understand their needs sometimes leads to routing the public away from sensitive areas. The Land Bank takes extra care to protect birds during critical nesting season, from pausing forest work to restricting dogs on trails. Ground-nesting birds like Killdeer are especially vulnerable to disturbance.
Photo: Killdeer chick at Weeks Wetland Preserve
Assess and Protect
Island Wildlife
The number of Golden eagles in Washington is low and declining, and this large raptor is a candidate for the state endangered species list. The best place to spot them is soaring high over Turtleback Mountain, one of the largest undeveloped places in the county. The Land Bank hopes to further expand Turtleback Mountain Preserve in the coming years.
Photo: Golden eagles require large territories with open areas for hunting.
Golden Eagle
Named for a spine-like scale at the tip of its tail, this secretive pencil-thin snake grows to only 12 inches and is rarely seen in Western Washington. A recent four-year study confirmed just nine sightings in the San Juans, including Cady Mountain and Turtleback Mountain. South-facing rocky slopes and forest openings are likely habitats for this small native reptile.
Photo: Sharp-tailed snake on Turtleback Mountain
Sharp-tailed Snake
Pileated Woodpeckers create large nesting cavities in solid trees that are later reused by smaller forest dwellers. A breeding pair stays together in their year-round territory of about 150 acres and their survival depends on mature forest with large trees and snags. Expansive preserves like Turtleback, Cady Mountain and Lopez Hill provide ideal habitat.
Photo: Pileated Woodpecker on Land Bank easement property
Pileated Woodpecker
Once thought to be extinct, sightings of the endangered Island Marble butterfly on San Juan Island brings hope. One of the rarest butterflies in the world, efforts are underway with many partners to create suitable habitat in fenced patches with host plants. Several Land Bank preserves contain these protected plots and in 2020 an Island Marble arrived and laid eggs. She was named ‘Amelia’.
Photo: The endangered Island marble butterfly
Island Marble Butterfly
Western bluebirds disappeared from the San Juans in the 1960s due to habitat loss and competition for nest sites by European Starlings. For the last 20 years, Western Bluebird Project partners have been working to restore breeding populations. Nest sites include preserves at King Sisters and False Bay Creek.
Photo: Western bluebird
Western Bluebird
Found primarily in Western WA, these small frogs are rarely seen in the San Juans. They blend into the surroundings and are hard to notice unless they move. Preferring forest wetlands, ponds and shallow streams, the preserves at DeadmanBay on San Juan, Diamond Hill on Orcas and Lopez Hill provide good habitat for these native amphibians.
Photo: The Red-legged frog has a quiet call that’s often too soft for humans to hear.