| | | | Hello Friend, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Samantha Hale, but you can call me Sam. I'm the newest Communications Manager at GPC and a self-professed nature nerd, lover of flowers, sea creatures, vintage maps, and small things. More often than not I can be found in our new office on Kitsap Way, but I love escaping the digital world to join the Stewardship and Community Engagement teams out in the real world with you, making a difference. By now you'll have noticed that the monthly E-News is coming from me. You'll see more communications from me in the coming months; via our website, social media profiles, and more. This month we have some exciting updates, new events, and big wins! | | I am so excited to be joining you on this journey of conservation and stewardship in our beloved community. Yours in wonderment and joy, | |  | | | | | | | | | | | Gig Harbor’s txʷaalqəł Conservation Area in the downtown corridor saved forever | |  | | | | | | | Join us in voting NO on I-2117 | |  | GPC relies on state grant funding to preserve vital wildlife habitat, especially for salmon recovery. To protect the salmon streams, shorelines, forests, and farmlands essential to the health of our region, GPC opposes passage of Initiative 2117. If implemented, I-2117 would roll back Washington's landmark climate law, the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). I-2117 threatens vital protections for our waterways and would end programs that support fish habitat and salmon recovery, including programs that remove barriers that hurt spawning salmon and encourage landowners to plant native vegetation along salmon-bearing streams. Join the pledge to vote NO on I-2117 in November. | | | | | | Management Plans: A closer look | |  | Last month we learned about the different types of baseline documentation and record-keeping that our stewardship team completes for newly acquired properties. This month we take a closer look at what goes into conducting a baseline site visit (seeing how the property looks at acquisition), how we compile information for a management plan (our plan for stewarding the land), and the other types of plans that GPC regularly writes for our properties! | | | | | | Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund Committee raise $38,000 for land conservation | | | | Last week, dozens of community members joined together to raise $38,000 at GPC's first event with the newly integrated Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund Committee. The event, generously hosted by the families of Silverbow Farm, celebrated the partnership of the locally focused fundraising committee and Great Peninsula Conservancy. The fund is dedicated to supporting conservation efforts in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula. GPC has been operating in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula since our founding in 2000, and as far back as the 80s, as the Peninsula Heritage Land Trust. To date, we have preserved over 1,200 acres in the region. In the last five years, GPC has conserved 522 acres across nine properties thanks to the support of state and local agencies, tribes, and community members like you, including: Filucy Bay Preserve expansions, McDermott Point Preserve, Rocky Creek Preserve, and the Kaukiki Farm Conservation Easement. You can learn more about our projects in the region on our website. Visit our website to learn more about the incorporation of the Land Fund. | | | | | |  | Are you (or someone you know of) seeking a rewarding career in conservation and sustainability? GPC is seeking is an enthusiastic conservationist who inspires people to be part of a community that cares for the land. The Community Engagement Coordinator will create and support volunteer, outreach, and education opportunities that reflect GPC’s conservation values and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity. Learn more. | | | | | | | | | | Walk and Talk: Farm Preservation Join GPC on Saturday, September 21st to tour the newly protected Dogfish Creek Farm, formerly the Bledsoe Farm, in Poulsbo. Learn about how we are protecting farmland and making opportunities for the next generation of local farmers more financially accessible When: Saturday, September 21, 10 am – 12 pm Where: Dogfish Creek Farm, Poulsbo | | | | | | | | Filucy Bay Preserve “Free the trees” Our beautiful Filucy Bay Preserve spans 170 acres of shoreline and upland forest, providing essential habitats for wildlife like Coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and black bears. Join us on Saturday, September 28th to remove invasive species like blackberry, Scotch broom, and non-native grasses. When: Saturday, September 28, 10 am-12:30pm Where: Filucy Bay Preserve, Key Peninsula | | | | | | | | Washington State Naturalist Program Application Have you heard about the Washington State Naturalist Program? It's a FREE education opportunity designed specifically for individuals seeking to volunteer with organizations doing environmental education, stewardship, and research. If you are interested in learning more about the amazing ecological wonders of the PNW and are willing to contribute 25 hours of your time with one of the listed partners (GPC is one of them!) then we encourage you to sign up! Visit the WSU Extension website to learn more or apply. | | | | | | | | | | Legacy Member Highlight: Naomi Maasberg & Joleen Palmer | |  | “Preserving this little watershed and estuary is very, very important to us, and we’d like to make sure it stays there for the fish and other wildlife well into the future. The only way to preserve our legacy is to get this land into the ownership of people who will care for it indefinitely." —Naomi & Joleen 25 years ago, Naomi Maasberg and Joleen Palmer made the decision to leave their property on the Carpenter Creek estuary in Kingston to the Stillwaters Environmental Center in their will. When Stillwaters Environmental Center was integrated into GPC, Naomi and Joleen updated their will to ensure their legacy with GPC was secured. | | | | | | Like what we're up to? Our work is made possible by generous donors like you. | | | |  | | | | | | | If this email was forwarded to you, you can join our e-news to receive your own copy in the future. | | | | | | | |
