| | | | Hi Friend, The rains have returned, and with them, so much to be grateful for. Our recent atmospheric river brought the kind of soaking our forests desperately needed, and now the salmon are back in our streams, mushrooms dot the forest floor, and everything feels alive again. November reminds me to appreciate the rhythms—the way nature rebounds, the neighbors who show up to volunteer work parties, and the quiet beauty of a rainy day on the trail. This month is full of chances to witness these wonders firsthand, whether you're exploring salmon habitat, maintaining trails, or simply taking a muddy walk through the woods. Here's to gratitude, rain boots, and getting outside, | | | | | | | | Join the Community Forest Advisory Team for The Divide Community Forest | | | | Great Peninsula Conservancy is recruiting members for The Divide Community Forest Advisory Team, commonly referred to as a CFAT. The CFAT is a small team of community members and professionals who will provide input and advice on management decisions for The Divide, helping implement the goals and objectives identified during our community planning process earlier this year. We're specifically seeking representatives from trail stewardship groups, habitat and wildlife management, natural resource management including timber, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Skokomish Tribe, regional recreation groups, and community engagement professionals. Applications are being accepted through November 17, 2025, and the first meeting is planned for the week of December 1. Visit our website to learn more and for application instructions. | | | | | | | | Staff Spotlight: Eva Blair Joins Leadership Kitsap! | | | | We’re thrilled to give a big shout out to our Stewardship Coordinator, Eva Blair, who has been selected to join the 2026 Leadership Kitsap Signature Program Cohort! This prestigious 10-month program helps participants gain a deeper understanding of the critical issues affecting Kitsap County while developing the leadership skills needed to inspire collaboration and community action. Learn more on our blog. | | | | | | | | Your Strategic Giving Fuels Community Action for Nature | | | | With major tax law changes coming in 2026, 2025 is a great year to make your giving strategic. Funding a donor advised fund (DAF) now allows you to take advantage of current deduction rules while supporting Great Peninsula Conservancy’s work for years to come. Likewise, if you’re 73 or older, your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) can be directed through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to satisfy your RMD while directly supporting local conservation. Your gift today—whether through a DAF contribution or a QCD—helps sustain volunteers, education programs, and on-the-ground conservation efforts that protect our forests, farms, and shorelines for generations. GPC does not provide financial or tax advice. We encourage you to consult your advisor to determine what’s best for you. | | | | | | | | Make a Difference While You Shop | |  | Now, through December 31, support local conservation efforts when you shop at Columbia Sportswear. Inspired by the work of land trusts across the country, Columbia has initiated a checkout fundraising campaign to support local conservation efforts by raising funds through customer donations at Columbia retail stores in the U.S. When you check out at the register, you'll have an opportunity to "round up" your purchase to support the national Land Trust Alliance (LTA). All donations made across the country will be equally distributed to selected land trusts. GPC is honored to have been selected as a grant recipient alongside 30 other land trusts. Visit the LTA website to learn more about the program. | | | | | | | | Stillwaters Online Book Sale | | Want to expand your library in an environmentally friendly way? Shop Stillwaters’ online used book sale at AbeBooks. Starting this week, books are 20% off! Stillwaters Environmental Center's long-running online book sale has continued, thanks to dedicated volunteers, through the transition to GPC. You can shop for our books online, all year round at AbeBooks! Click HERE to browse our online books for sale. If you are interested in donating books, we accept them all year long. Contact us at info@greatpeninsula.org for more information. | | | | | | | | 🌿 Rooted in Conservation, Connected in Community 🌿 | | | | Great Peninsula Conservancy invites local businesses, organizations, and community partners to sponsor our 2026 Conservation Celebration on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Benefits include recognition in GPC’s annual report, e-news (4,200+ subscribers), website, social media, and event program, plus perks like reserved seating, spotlight recognition, and private preserve tours for lead sponsors. Show your commitment to conservation and community. To learn more, contact Katherine Tacke, Development Manager at katherine@greatpeninsula.org or (360) 373-3500 x107. | | | | | | | | | | Clear Creek Trail Work Party Join us at the next work party on the Clear Creek Trail! We’ll tackle trail maintenance tasks like removing invasive species, repairing boardwalks, cleaning up litter, and more. It’s a great chance to enjoy the autumn season while connecting with fellow trail lovers. Let’s work together this November to care for and improve the Clear Creek Trail! When: November 8th, 9:00am – 12:00pm Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | Walk & Talk: Salmon Stories of Donkey Creek Join GPC for an exploration of the North (AKA Donkey) Creek Conservation Easement and the many chum salmon that spawn in this stream! Hear about the efforts made by local stakeholders, non-profits, and community volunteers to support the growth of this and other nearby salmon runs. We will also discuss how GPC can support you in the creation of conservation easements, helping you protect your property while benefiting both your finances and the environment. When: November 15th, 10:00am – 12:00pm Where: Gig Harbor, WA | | | | | | | | Stewardship Work Party: Winter Weed Removal at Beards Cove This November, come out to Beards Cove with us to remove invasive plants! Help us remove Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry to promote the growth of recent plantings and protect native plants at this stunning preserve. Beards Cove is adjacent to Klingel-Bryan-Beard-Wildlife Refuge, which protects vital shoreline and estuary ecosystems that support countless species, from Hood Canal summer chum to bald eagles. Thanks to decades of diligent stewardship, these critical habitats have recovered from the damage sustained in the 1950s when the salt marshes were diked and filled in to create pastureland. From removing 4,600 dump-truck loads of fill to planting over 5,000 native trees and shrubs, the healthy ecosystems we see today represent a massive restoration effort – but our work is not done! You can be a part of this powerful legacy by joining us at our upcoming work party. When: November 22nd, 10:00am – 12:30pm Where: Belfair, WA | | | | | | | | Kitsap County Seeks Artist for 2026 Earth Day Awards | | Each year, Kitsap County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners recognize groups and individuals for their dedication to environmental stewardship. Award recipients are celebrated for their work in environmental education, habitat restoration, recycling, litter control, water quality, and more. The County is seeking an artist or artists to design the 2026 awards. Do you know an individual, group, or business that deserves to be celebrated for their environmental efforts? Submit a nomination today. | | | | | | New Book Chronicles S'Klallam Fishing Rights and Community | | | | GPC conservation easement landowner and Empty Bowl Press co-founder Holly Hughes has published My Heart is Good: Treaty Rights and the Rise of a S'Klallam Fishing Community by Ron Charles with Josh Wisniewski. The book chronicles the life of Port Gamble S'Klallam elder Ron Charles and traces the profound impact of the landmark 1974 Boldt Decision on tribal fishing rights in Washington State. Join the authors for upcoming conversations on November 12th in Port Angeles, November 14th in Port Townsend, and November 15th in Kingston. | | | | | | | | Friends of Miller Bay Fall Work Parties | | The Friends of Miller Bay (FOMB) fall work party schedule is live! FOMB regularly holds work parties at GPC preserves around Miller Bay. Come out, and meet neighbors and members who care about our environment! Be sure to sign the waiver on the FOMB Volunteer Page and sign up so they know you're coming. 4th Quarter Schedule: - Fri. Nov 14th 9am–4pm Miller Bay Forest Preserve
- Fri. Dec 12th 9am-4pm Miller Bay Forest Preserve-East
For more information, visit the FOMB Calendar or contact Paul Dorn directly at paul@dorn-enterprises.com | | | | | | | | Forestry 101 with Mason Conservation District | | | | Small forest landowners: Join our partners at Mason Conservation District for an introduction to forestry basics! Learn about: - Resources to assist with forest stewardship
- Opportunities to engage with local professionals
- A variety of practices to support forest health
Whether you're new to forest management or looking to connect with local resources, this session is a great place to start. Register online at masoncd.org/events. Questions? Contact Margaret at mkreder@masoncd.org. When: Thursday, November 7th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm Where: Kitsap Regional Library - Poulsbo | | | | | | | | Fire Risk and Forest Health Learning Session
on the Kitsap Peninsula | | | | The Forest Stewards of the Key Peninsula are hosting a learning session for Kitsap Peninsula Residents all about fire risk and forest health. Join this town hall-style gathering and learn from regional fire and forestry experts. The event will be moderated by Chris Rurik, and attendees are encouraged to bring their burning questions. When: November 13th, 6:00pm Where: Key Peninsula Civic Center, 17010 S Vaughn Rd NW, Key Center, WA 98394, USA | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | |
