| | | | | | Hello Friend, Let me be the first to wish you a happy and healthy New Year! The holidays are a time for reflection, and I’m thankful to have joined GPC, where I’ve found a community committed to preserving our region’s wild places. I’m inspired every day by what we've accomplished together. I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible milestones achieved in 2024 with your support: 🌲 This week, GPC realized a shared dream 20 years in the making – the successful acquisition of the 467-acre Divide Community Forest! 🎉 Last month, over 250 supporters came together to help us reach our $60,000 year-end goal. With the added power of matching gifts, you made it possible to raise over $120,000! Your generosity ensures GPC can continue our vital work – thank you. 🌍 621 acres of land and four stream systems were protected in 2024, and thousands of native plants were restored to the landscape. 🧑🎓 2,800+ students were introduced to nature last year through our free environmental education program, Land Labs. Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be even more exciting as we celebrate Great Peninsula Conservancy’s 25th anniversary! We can’t wait to share more stories, events, and ways for you to get involved in the coming year. Yours in gratitude, | | | | | | | | | | Historic Acquisition: The 467-acre Divide Community Forest Saved | | | | We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the 467-acre Divide Community Forest, a strategic land conservation project in north Kitsap County that preserves critical wildlife habitat and supports planned regional trail connectivity. Now permanently protected, the land will offer a significant conservation and recreational resource. The protection of the Divide Community Forest represents a pivotal moment for Great Peninsula Conservancy. In our 25-year history, this is the single largest land acquisition we've undertaken, marking a significant milestone in our organizational journey and a huge leap forward for regional conservation. By protecting these 467 acres, we're preserving critical wildlife habitat, creating a lasting legacy, and demonstrating the power of collaborative conservation. Visit our blog to read more about this monumental acquisition. | | | | | | | | Fall Newsletter Showcases GPC's Impact | | Our fall newsletter is here! Dive into stories about our conservation efforts, including the preservation of Key Peninsula’s newest wildlife corridor, the inspiring legacy of Janice Pittman, and the transformative power of our Land Labs education program. Plus, learn how University of Washington students are helping GPC staff assess forest health and climate resiliency through cutting-edge research. Visit our website to read the full newsletter. | | | | | | | | Community Learning in Forest Conservation | | | | This fall, GPC and Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) partnered to host two transformative ecological forestry workshops, guided by Jaal Mann, lead forester at Northwest Natural Resource Group. At JLT’s Valley View Forest and our own Grovers Creek Preserve, more than 60 participants gathered for four-hour explorations of forest stewardship in action. The diverse group of participants included conservation professionals from neighboring land trusts and county agencies, restoration practitioners, current and prospective forest landowners, and even a GPC conservation easement holder, all coming together to learn about ecological forestry practices. Visit our blog to read more about the workshops. | | | | | | | | Tahuya Preserve featured in Latest Edition of Groundswell | | GPC is honored to be featured in the 2024 edition of Groundswell, the Washington Association of Land Trusts' annual publication celebrating private land conservation across the state. This edition highlights the collective efforts of land trusts across Washington State to protect vital landscapes and connect communities to nature. Explore the inspiring stories of land trusts making a difference, including GPC’s work on the Tahuya River Preserve. Visit our blog to learn more about Groundswell and read the latest edition. | | | | | | | | Cheers to Our Amazing Volunteer Land Stewards! | |  | GPC’s Stewardship program wouldn’t be what it is without our incredible Volunteer Land Stewards (VoLS)! In 2024, we trained 17 new volunteers during two training sessions, bringing our team of VoLS to 44. Together, they completed over 100 hours of annual monitoring across 42 protected properties in 2024. On top of that, they rolled up their sleeves for stewardship work like baseline documentation, invasive species removal, and seedling maintenance. With 63 conservation easements and 70 fee land preserves to care for – spanning 3,679 acres – our team of three stewardship staff couldn’t do it without volunteer support. We’re so grateful for the time, energy, and passion our VoLS bring to protecting these special places. Here’s to another great year of learning, connecting, and caring for the lands we love. Please join us in giving a huge THANK YOU to our Volunteer Land Stewards! | | | | | | | | Conservation and Cocktails Join us on Sunday, January 12th at 4:00pm for Conservation & Cocktails, our quarterly series bringing together nature enthusiasts and conservation experts. This month, Harbor WildWatch's Rachel Easton leads us on an exploration of local shark conservation and marine habitats. Connect with GPC staff, Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund members, and neighbors who share your passion for nature. When: Sunday, January 12th, from 4:00pm-5:00pm Where: The Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 | | | | | | Walk and Talk: Tribal Lands Conservation This month's Walk and Talk is an exploration of collaboration and conservation with the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Join GPC staff and members of the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe on Saturday, January 18th at 10:00am. Tribal members will lead us on a guided walk to Point Julia to explore the new hatchery and discuss the many ways the Tribe carries out collaborative conservation and education work. When: Saturday, January 18th, from 10:00am-12:30pm Where: Point Julia, Port Gamble Tribal Community, WA | | | | | | | | Clear Creek Trail: MLK Day of Service Join Great Peninsula Conservancy staff and community volunteers on Monday, January 20th at 9:30am for a day of service along the Clear Creek Trail. Meet up at the Ridgetop Workshop, the green building adjacent to 9228 Ridgetop Blvd in downtown Silverdale. For more information, email Volunteer@clearcreektrail.org. When: Monday, January 20th, from 9:30am-11:30pm Where: Clear Creek Trail, Silverdale, WA | | | | | | Stewardship Work Party: New Year, New Trees at Grovers Creek Preserve Kick off 2025 with our first Stewardship Work Party of the year on Saturday, January 25th at 10am at Grovers Creek Preserve! Help build a healthier, more resilient forest as we plant native trees and remove invasive Scotch broom. You'll also learn about our climate-adaptive management strategies to enhance the preserve's biodiversity. Join us in building a healthier, more resilient future for this unique piece of land. When: Saturday, January 25th, from 10:00am-12:30pm Where: Grovers Creek Preserve in Indianola, WA | | | | | | | | | | | | In November, José Alaniz of the Key Peninsula News joined GPC's Community Engagement Manager, Gabriel Newton, on a Walk and Talk along the shores of Chico Creek. Read the article to hear what Alaniz has to say about resilience, perspective, and perseverance! | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Sponsorship opportunities are now available for GPC's Conservation Celebration on Thursday, June 5th, 2025. We'd love to partner with your company, small business, or community organization to highlight our shared commitment to protecting our local lands and waters. Visit our website for more information on sponsorship opportunities, or reach out directly to Katherine Tacke, Development Manager at: katherine@greatpeninsula.org, (360) 373-3500 ext. 107. | | | | | | | | Sponsor Spotlight: Puget Sound Energy | | At GPC, we’re fortunate to partner with organizations that share our passion for protecting the land and waters that make our region special. This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Puget Sound Energy. Through initiatives like charitable grants from the PSE Foundation and sponsorships for local organizations, PSE actively invests in programs that prioritize sustainability, diversity, and equity across the region. We’re grateful for their support of our ongoing efforts to manage forestlands using techniques that make our preserves more resilient to the hotter and drier conditions we are experiencing. Learn more about their work to keep our vibrant communities safe, supported, and thriving. | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | |
