| | | | | | Hi Friend, June has arrived with that perfect Pacific Northwest magic we locals whisper about - the kind of golden weather that makes us nervously glance around and say "shh, don't tell anyone about this." Our native rhododendrons are putting on their final spectacular show, the scent of warm Douglas fir drifts through the air, and impossibly long summer evenings have that sort of light that seems to stretch forever through the towering canopy. This is the month when our region reveals why we call it home, and the many reasons we work so hard to protect it. Speaking of reasons to celebrate our home, I'm excited to share some big news: our brand-new website is live, complete with an interactive map showcasing all the incredible places we're working to protect across West Puget Sound. From our recent expansion of the Tahuya River Preserve to our new partnership ensuring the Clear Creek Trail's future, this month highlights the power of community-centered conservation in action. Whether you join us for a behind-the-gate look at the Tahuya River Preserve, help with summer trail maintenance along Clear Creek, or discover wetland wildlife with your young explorers, there are countless ways to connect with the land we're protecting together. Here's to getting outside, | | | | | | | | | | Announcing A New Look, Celebrating 25 Years of Conservation | |  | Big news! We’ve got a fresh new look and we’re pretty excited about it! After 25 amazing years, we've decided it was time for an update that truly shows who we are and what we're all about. Our new logo is inspired by our region's very own Douglas fir cone. The overlapping scales represent the beautiful landscapes of the Great Peninsula, while the blue at the heart of the design represents Puget Sound and all the rivers and streams that feed into it. But wait, there's more! We've also launched a brand-new website packed with new information about our Stewardship, Conservation, and Community Engagement work, a new interactive map, and tons of ways for you to get involved. Whether you're curious about our restoration projects or want to join us for a nature walk, it's all there! Head over to greatpeninsula.org to check it out. And hey, while you're there, let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you! | | | | | | | | New Partnership Ensure's Clear Creek Trail's Future | |  | We're thrilled to announce a new agreement with Kitsap County to coordinate maintenance of the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale, WA. The urban trail follows salmon-bearing Clear Creek as it winds through the downtown areas of Kitsap County’s largest retail center, passing through remnant riparian forests, wetlands, and community greenspaces. This non-motorized trail is wheelchair friendly, where possible, and is enjoyed by many, including families, dog walkers, runners, and cyclists, making it one of the best urban hiking trails in Kitsap County. “For years the Clear Creek Task Force has done a great job managing the trail. Now GPC is picking up the mantle in partnership with Kitsap County to make sure this vital community resource is maintained for all to enjoy," says GPC Executive Director, Nathan Daniel. “It’s a big job and one that will be successful with support from local businesses, service groups, and volunteers,” Daniel added. | | | | | | | | Tahuya River Preserve Expands | |  | In June, we successfully acquired two parcels totaling five acres, adding to the existing 183-acre Tahuya River Preserve which was protected in late 2023. The new properties contain riparian forest and will add 450 feet of the mainstem of the Tahuya River to the existing preserve and ensure habitat connectivity with other protected lands. These acquisitions will expand upon our existing work to protect the lower four miles of the Tahuya River, which is a highly significant watershed. We're partnering with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG). They are leading the restoration, planting, and invasive species management aspect of this project. Join us for a special Walk & Talk on June 21 as we learn all about this spectacular ecosystem. | | | | | | | | WA Certified Naturalist Meet Up | |  | Calling All Certified Washington Naturalists! Join us for a special meet-and-greet potluck at Great Peninsula Conservancy! Together we'll enjoy a fun evening of networking and community building among naturalists from past and present cohorts in the Kitsap area and beyond. 📅 When: Thursday, June 12th, 5:30-7:30 PM
📍 Where: GPC Building, 6536 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
🥘 What: Potluck dinner, networking, and presentations from GPC, WSU Kitsap County Extension, and the WANAT program This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other passionate naturalists, share experiences, and learn about environmental stewardship opportunities in our region. Come hungry for both food and great conversation! Bonus: Join us on Friday for a field trip to Dickerson Falls at Ueland Tree Farm (10 AM-12 PM). Together, we'll embark on a 2-mile guided hike led by GPC’s Community Engagement Manager, Gabriel Newton. Learn about the history of conservation and public access at Ueland Tree Farm while hiking to Dickerson Falls. | | | | | | | | Thank You To All Who Attended The Conservation Celebration! | |  | Thank you to all who attended our annual Conservation Celebration fundraiser. We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generosity, we raised $215,000 to support conservation in our region. These funds will go directly toward stewarding protected lands, expanding community access to nature, and preserving the natural places we all cherish. | | | | | | | | Green Crab Molt Search Training Help protect Washington’s marine waters from invasive European green crabs by attending the Molt Search workshop on Tuesday, June 17th, from 4:00–6:00 PM at the SEA Discovery Center. Learn how to identify crab molts, conduct shoreline surveys, and report your findings using the MyCoast mobile app. No experience necessary—just bring your curiosity! Space is limited; register today! When: Tuesday, June 17th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm Where: SEA Discovery Center, Poulsbo, WA | | | | | | | | Heritage Walk: Tahuya Past & Present Join GPC in experiencing a truly spectacular ecosystem. Normally closed as a quiet refuge for wildlife, our June Walk and Talk will offer a “behind the gate” look at Hood Canal’s Tahuya River Preserve! Along the way, we will be learning about past, present, and future forestry practices in the river valley. Don’t miss the chance to see this ecological gem amid its recovery! When: Saturday, June 21st, 10:00am - 12:00pm Where: Tahuya, WA | | | | | | | | Clear Creek Work Party: Summer Trail Maintenance Join GPC at the Clear Creek Trail for summer trail maintenance! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and fellow community members. Volunteers are welcome to drop in anytime between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm to help with tasks such as trimming overgrown vegetation, picking up litter, and maintaining trail accessibility. Your involvement will help ensure that Clear Creek Trail remains a safe and enjoyable space for all. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to conservation efforts, everyone is welcome to join. Together, we can make a lasting impact on this cherished natural corridor. When: Saturday, June 21st, 10:00am – 12:30pm Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | Discovery Play Days: Wetland Wildlife Sleuths Join us for Wetland Wildlife Sleuths on Tuesday, June 24th, 10am-12pm at Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park! Young explorers will become nature detectives, discovering amazing wetland creatures through ecosystem games, wildlife monitoring, and hands-on activities. We’ll explore beaver habitats, build nature journals, and learn how wetlands support local wildlife. Perfect blend of stories, exploration, and discovery! In partnership with Kitsap Regional Library & WSU Kitsap Extension. When: Tuesday, June 24th, 10:00am – 12:00pm Where: Clear Creek Trail, Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | Stewardship Work Party: Planting Maintenance at Filucy Bay Come out to beautiful Filucy Bay for our June Work Party! We will be removing invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom. This stunning preserve is usually only accessible by water, so this is an amazing opportunity to visit while helping our tree plantings thrive! As a part of GPC’s restoration efforts, we have planted 2,600 native trees and shrubs in areas previously overgrown with Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, and non-native grasses. This work party will be maintaining these plants to work towards healthy native upland and shoreline forests! Read more about the Filucy Bay restoration efforts here. When: Saturday, June 28th, from 10:00am - 12:30pm Where: South of Lakebay, WA | | | | | | | |  | | | 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. | | | | | | | |
