| | | | Hi Friend, Each summer, there's a particular magic in walking through a patch of sun. If you're lucky, you'll catch the fragrance of warmed tree sap: floral, earthy, fruity, and warm. Do you know what scent I refer to? I know summer is in full swing whenever I catch that scent. And the natural world feels so full right now. The ocean spray is in full bloom with delicate white flowers, pollinators are dancing among wildflowers, and the recent dip in temperatures and forest mist has the landscape breathing easier after the heat. This is the season when conservation work feels most tangible—when you can see the direct impact of restoration efforts and community commitment. I'm thrilled to share our 2025 Annual Report, just released, which tells the story of what we accomplished last year: 340 acres protected, nearly 2,800 students connected with nature, and a community that shows up. Now we're inviting you to show up this summer. We have volunteer opportunities at every level—from Land Labs training to trail work, forage fish surveys, and evening walks through restored lands. Join us, and be part of the work happening right now. Here's to getting outside, | | | | | | | | Our 2025 Annual Report is Now Available | | | | Our 2025 Annual Report has arrived in mailboxes and is now available online! Inside, you'll find stories of conservation in action—from protecting critical salmon habitat and expanding access to local farmland, to restoring forests, engaging nearly 2,800 students through Land Labs, and conserving 340 acres of land across the Great Peninsula. The report also reflects on a milestone year as we celebrated 25 years of community conservation and launched a new strategic vision to guide our work into the future. We invite you to explore the impact your support made possible and see how, together, we're protecting the places we love for generations to come. | | | | | | | | 🎥 Watch Our New Video 🎥
A Three-Part Guide to Saving the Places You Love | |  | The Kitsap Peninsula is full of extraordinary places — salmon streams, upland forests, sandy and rocky beaches, and views of the Hood Canal. Our new video brings together Great Peninsula Conservancy staff, volunteers, and partners to share why this land is worth protecting and restoring. That means working with landowners to protect land. It means hands-on restoration that brings degraded land back to life. And it means getting kids and families out into these spaces, because connecting our community to nature is central to our mission, not separate from it. It's grassroots, hands-in-the-dirt work, and it adds up: over 12,000 acres protected so far, with much more ahead. Visit our YouTube channel to see the full video 🎥. | | | | | | | | Trail Work Happening at The Divide Community Forest | | | | Trail crews are hard at work at The Divide Community Forest! Our friends at North Kitsap Trails Association are clearing invasive Scotch broom and widening the path on the trail between Gratitude Private Way and NE Orseth Road — and that stretch will be closed through July 15th while the work gets done. If you're planning a visit to The Divide before July 15th, please use the North entrance, park at Ritter Ln, and enjoy the trail until you reach Gratitude Way, where you'll need to turn around. There will be no access to The Divide from Gratitude Way during trail maintenance. The trail will be open for public access after July 15th. In the meantime, follow us on Facebook for behind-the-scenes photos and progress updates! | | | | | | | | Welcome Cory, Sam, and Sam to the Stewardship Team! | |  | Please join GPC in welcoming three new faces to our stewardship team. This summer, we’re pleased to have Cory Mintz, Sam Hall, and Sam Martin as Habitat Improvement Fellows through AmeriCorps VISTA. Corey, Sam, and Sam will be working with Adrian, Micaela, and Eva on habitat enhancement and restoration projects across GPC’s preserve. During their placement with us, they will learn about invasive species management, planting maintenance, wildlife habitat feature creation, trail maintenance, and data collection. They will also be working to pass these skills along to our wonderful volunteers and participants in our Land Labs environmental education programming. Join us in welcoming Cory, Sam, and Sam. Visit our staff page to read their bios, and be sure to say hi next time you see them in the field! | | | | | | | | GPC's Legacy Society & Conservancy Circle Luncheon Save the Date: Thursday, August 27 at Kopachuck State Park | |  | A legacy pledge is simple: you commit to include GPC in your will or estate plan, at any amount, and your gift ensures conservation on the Great Peninsula continues for generations to come. It costs nothing now, and it's one of the most meaningful things you can do for the places you love. Every new pledge also unlocks a $1,000 gift to GPC today, thanks to a generous legacy match from Mike & Becky Hall, so your commitment starts making an impact right away. Legacy Society members are invited to our annual Legacy Luncheon, a chance to connect with neighbors and fellow conservation advocates who care about the same things you do. Make your pledge now to join us. Learn more on our website or contact Development Manager Katherine Tacke at 360-373-3500 ext.107 or [email protected]. | | | | | | | | Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Peter! | | | | When we put out the call for help with tool maintenance, Peter answered right away and we couldn't be more grateful! Peter has been an absolute lifesaver, donating his time and expertise to sharpen and maintain all of our stewardship equipment. From sharpening brushcutters and chainsaws, to fixing our utility trailers and hosting safety trainings, Peter has been working hard to make sure our team has the tools and know-how to do the best possible work in the field. What's even more impressive? Peter also volunteers with our partners at the Hansville Greenway Association, showing his deep commitment to land conservation across our community. We truly appreciate you, Peter! Your dedication makes a real difference in our stewardship work. Thank you for stepping up when we needed you most! | | | | | | | |  | We're excited to announce the launch of our new online merch store! Featuring apparel and accessories designed to celebrate the Great Peninsula and support our conservation work, every purchase directly funds our efforts to protect local habitats, preserve water quality, and engage our community. Wear your conservation pride and help us inspire others—shop now and make a difference with every item you choose. | | | | | | | | | | Green Crab Molt Search at Misery Point Join Great Peninsula Conservancy for a shoreline molt survey for invasive green crabs at Misery Point on the Kitsap Peninsula. As a small group, you’ll walk the intertidal zone searching for shed crab shells and collecting any molts found. As a large group, we will sort and report our findings in the MyCoast app for real research data. When: July 3rd, 10:00am – 12:00pm Where: Seabeck, WA | | | | | | | | Summer Land Labs Volunteer Training Join us at Arness Park in Kingston for our Summer Land Labs volunteer training! During Summer Land Labs, students explore protected tidelands, saltmarshes, oyster beds, and lagoons. This module focuses on building understanding of the biodiversity and the interconnectedness of different habitats in our region. In this volunteer training, you will gain in-situ knowledge about what it means to be a Summer Land Labs volunteer. From group support to leading activities, you will make a direct impact on students across the Kitsap region. When: July 9th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm Where: Kingston, WA | | | | | | | | July Clear Creek Trail Work Party Join GPC for a Clear Creek Trail work party this July! The focus of this work party will be adding gravel to the trail to create smooth, seamless transitions between the boardwalks and the trail. We’ll provide all the tools and training you need, and there will be other tasks available as well. Soak up the summer sun with us on the trail! When: July 11th, 9:00am – 12:00pm Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | WDFW Forage Fish Survey Volunteer Training Monitoring forage fish is one of the ways we can gain a better understanding of the ecosystem and its health. For the last year, we have been working closely with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists to pilot a volunteer monitoring program for surf smelt and sand lance spawning on one of our favorite Key Peninsula shorelines — McDermott Point Preserve! Help GPC and WDFW keep the program going by attending our Forage Fish Survey Training on Wednesday, July 15th from 10:00am-4pm. Use the training to decide if you’d like to sign up for future survey opportunities with GPC! When: July 15th, 10:00am – 4:00pm Where: Longbranch, WA | | | | | | | | July Book Club Meeting (+ Author Q&A!) Join us for the club’s first official book discussion! We’re reading Homewaters by David B. Williams – and we’re thrilled to announce that the author will be joining us virtually to chat about his book! Find a copy of Homewaters at your local library or independent bookstore, and bring your thoughts and questions for a fun and lively conversation. Bookworms is a nature-focused non-fiction book club, meeting at the Clear Creek Sa’qad Interpretive Center every other month. All are welcome to learn with us, share book recommendations, and get to know other bookworms like you! We’ll provide coffee, tea, and treats for you to enjoy. When: July 15th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm Where: Silverdale, WA | | | | | | | | Walk & Talk: Crepuscular Critters of Hansville Greenway Join Great Peninsula Conservancy for an evening walk through the forest and wetlands of the Hansville Greenway as the sun sets and the landscape comes alive. We'll explore one of North Kitsap's most beloved conservation areas in search of the crepuscular animals that call this place home. Keep your eyes open as we learn all about those animals that thrive in the twilight hours between day and night. When: July 18th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm Where: Hansville, WA | | | | | | | | Planting Maintenance at Klingel-Bryan-Beard Wildlife Refuge Join Great Peninsula Conservancy at Klingel-Bryan-Beard Wildlife Refuge to help maintain recently planted trees and shrubs. Since 2021, over 5,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted at the property, and require routine maintenance to ensure their survival. Klingel-Bryan-Beard Wildlife Refuge protects the Union River estuary and provides vital habitat for threatened Hood Canal summer chum, Puget Sound Chinook, and winter steelhead. This restoration project completes a much greater, three-decade-long effort by state agencies, local conservation groups, and Mason County schools that has now conserved over 650 acres and 5.5 miles of shoreline at the toe of Hood Canal. When: July 25th, 10:00am – 12:30pm Where: Belfair, WA | | | | | | Conservation & Cocktails: Birds on the Job Join GPC and members of the Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund Committee for an evening of drinks and learning. This Conservation & Cocktails presentation by the Tahoma Bird Alliance will feature insights into the important work of birds in our local habitats. Learn about what birds do for the environment, other wildlife and humans. Our avian neighbors hold titles in pest control, forestry, agriculture, affordable housing, psychiatry, and weather forecasting, among others. If we help the birds, we help ourselves! When: July 26th, 4:00pm – 5:30pm Where: Zog's, 585 6th Ave Fi, Fox Island, WA 98333 | | | | | | | | Friends of Miller Bay Annual Beach Clean Up Join the annual FOMB Miller Bay Beach Clean Up. It's a fun and productive community event. Meet at 21158 Miller Bay Road NE look for the FOMB sign! There'll be plenty of parking. You'll sign in, get a collection bag, instructions and set out in small groups to clean up garbage and debris along the shoreline. Last year FOMB volunteers filled a truck load of garbage and had fun while doing it! When: Saturday, July 11th, 9:00am – 12:00pm Where: Poulsbo, WA | | | | | | | | Heronswood Garden: Camas Club for Kids Camas Club for Kids introduces children to the importance of the camas plant and its connection to the traditions of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe through fun, interactive experiences for all ages. Enjoy crafts, games, educational activities, traditional food tastings, local vendors, and more while exploring the beauty of Heronswood Garden. When: Saturday, July 11th, 10:00am – 2:00pm Where: Kingston, 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. | | | | | | | |
