| | | | | | Hi Friend, October has arrived with that signature Pacific Northwest flair—the sort of morning where damp fog hangs low in the trees, the afternoon sun holds just enough warmth to make you grateful for the sun, and evenings quietly bleed into a mellow darkness. That quietness invites us to slow down and notice what's around us. This month, I find myself seeking those joys and wonders—whether it's a day spent with community or an afternoon exploring on my own. There are endless opportunities to tap into community here at GPC—whether you attend our October Walk & Talk, share knowledge as a Creekside Guide, or plant native species to support salmon. I hope this October finds you enjoying the season's beauty and connecting with community. Here's to getting outside, | | | | | | | | Red Barn Renovation Brings New Life to Clear Creek | | | | Last week, the Clear Creek Sa’qad Interpretive Center—affectionately known as the Red Barn—took a big step toward becoming the vibrant interpretive center it once was. Thanks to a generous $21,000 grant from The Home Depot in Silverdale, the Red Barn underwent major renovations aimed at restoring its role as an educational and gathering space along the Clear Creek Trail. A huge thank you to The Home Depot team for their generous support and hands-on involvement, and to our incredible GPC volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this project a success. This renovation wouldn’t be possible without your dedication! Join Us! You can be part of the ongoing care and stewardship of the Red Barn and Clear Creek Trail! Get involved by: - Adopting a section of the Clear Creek Trail
- Joining the Clear Creek Trail Team
- Becoming a Creekside Guide to teach kids and families about local ecology
- Volunteering at a monthly trail work party
Visit our blog to learn more about the clean up, see more pictures, and learn about ways to get involved. | | | | | | | | Building Community Through Science at
Martha John Creek Preserve | | | | If you take a walk through the Martha John Creek Preserve in North Kitsap, you might come across a field with circles of mulch and colorful flags peeking out through the grasses. This site is home to a recent planting that brought hundreds of new native trees to the Port Gamble watershed. But this isn’t just any tree planting: it’s a community science experiment bringing together youth from the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Kingston High School, alongside educators and natural resource professionals. We’re collaborating to test out a climate-adaptive restoration technique that could help newly planted trees survive and grow under increasingly harsh summer conditions. Visit our blog to learn more about this exciting project. | | | | | | | | Camp Conservation Thank you | | | | Who knew adult summer camp could be so much fun!? Last month, GPC's Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Land Fund hosted Camp Conservation, a camp-themed fundraiser! With your help, we raised over $35,000 for land conservation in and around Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula. Thanks to all of our sponsors, volunteers, committee members, the YMCA, GPC staff, and everyone else who made this event a big success! Visit Facebook to see more photos and relive the fun. | | | | | | Plan Your Legacy—Protect the Lands You Love | | | | October marks National Estate Planning Awareness Week, a perfect reminder to think about the future of the lands and waters you care about. Learn how the Willock family turned a Civil War-era homestead into a lasting legacy for GPC. Visit our blog to read their story. Now is a great time to join them. Thanks to a generous matching challenge from Mike & Becky Hall, every new legacy pledge will trigger a $1,000 gift to GPC, multiplying the impact of your future commitment. Join our Legacy Society and help protect our region’s open spaces for generations to come. | | | | | | | | 🌿 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 for a Halloween‑themed work party on the Clear Creek Trail! Come dressed (optionally) in your best costume and help with trail maintenance tasks such as removing invasive plants, repairing boardwalks, cleaning up litter, and more. Come for the fun, stay for the treats—see you there! When: October 11th, 9:00am – 11:00am Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | Creekside Guide Training We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new educational volunteer program to GPC at the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale: Creekside Guides! As a Creekside Guide, you’ll use a “Creekside Crate”—a kit filled with hands-on environmental education activities designed for both kids and adults. Volunteers will work independently to educate and run activities on birds, beavers, wetlands or native plants. Join us for Creekside Guide training and get out on the trail today! When: October 11th, 12:00am – 1:30pm Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | ORCA Recovery Day Dogfish Creek Restoration Help make a difference for the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic marine species—join us in restoring critical salmon habitat along Dogfish Creek! Together, we’ll plant native vegetation to restore vital salmon habitat and reduce harmful stormwater runoff. No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm, a pair of work gloves, your own snacks, and water. We’ll supply the tools and guidance. Volunteer work involves using a shovel to plant native species in a field. Every plant you place in the ground helps support orcas, salmon, and a healthier Puget Sound. When: Friday, October 17th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm Where: Poulsbo, WA | | | | | | | | Walk & Talk: Traditional Foods Ethnobotany Walk Join GPC for a Walk and Talk along the banks of Cowling Creek as we highlight the diverse uses of native plants, from sustenance to medicine. Unearth the enduring connections between the Salish people and the plants of the Pacific Northwest while enjoying the beauty of this scenic forest. We will also discuss the current projects that GPC is working on in collaboration with our tribal partners to support the growth of traditional foods on the peninsula’s forested spaces. When: October 18th, 10:00am – 12:00pm Where: North of Suquamish, WA | | | | | | | | Stewardship Work Party: Fall Planting Maintenance at Tahuya River Preserve Come out with GPC to take care of the recently planted trees at the Tahuya River Preserve! We’ll remove invasive species and clear growing room for the trees, continuing our efforts from the September work party. We’ll also have an exciting opportunity to view the Tahuya River’s salmon run! Your work will be part of a larger restoration project in partnership with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group. By taking care of native trees and restoring the landscape, you’ll support the health of the ecosystem for generations to come. As the trees grow and thrive, they’ll help provide shade, reduce erosion, and improve water quality—all essential factors for supporting salmon populations and other local wildlife. You can make a lasting difference! When: October 27th, 10:00am – 12:30pm Where: Tahuya, WA | | | | | | | | 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 within 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. Oct 17th 9am-4pm Cowling Creek Forest Preserve
- 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 | | | | | | | | Mark Your Calendars - Kitsap Salmon Tours 2025! | |  | See salmon at eight different stream sites across the county as we explore all things salmon with biologists, local environmental organizations, and trained docents. This FREE event offers exciting opportunities such as interactive activities, guided walks, and much more, with different activities at each site. You can discover local salmon species, their lifecycles, and the role you play in their survival. Bring your family, gather your friends, and prepare your questions. Join us in experiencing this remarkable migration firsthand. Date: November 1st, 2025 Time: 11am - 3pm Locations: GPC staff will be at two locations, the Clear Creek Ridgetop Pavilion at 9228 Ridgetop Blvd., Silverdale and the Chico Estuary at the end of Kittyhawk Drive off of Erlands Point Road. Clear Creek provides salmon rearing habitat for chum, coho, cutthroat, and steelhead trout. Chico Creek supports spawning and rearing populations of chum, coho, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat. Even Chinook are occasionally observed spawning in Chico Creek. The largest run of wild chum salmon – from 30,000 to 80,000 pass through Chico creek each year. | | | | | | | | Keta Legacy's 2025 Fall for Fish Fundraiser | | Our friends at Keta Legacy Foundation are getting ready for their biggest event of the year, the Fall for Fish benefit dinner and silent auction on October 18th from 5-9pm! This fun-filled evening brings people together who care deeply about the Chico Creek watershed and the beautiful Rhododendron Preserve. As a proud partner in conservation, Great Peninsula Conservancy is excited to cheer them on, and we’d love to see you there too! | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | |
