Great Peninsula

Conservancy
Spring 2010 Protecting our lands and waters for generations to come

Preserved: Bucklin Hill Urban Forest

The hum of vehicles from the understory, patchy open areas, and
busy road fades away as we walk forest edge.
into the forest. We look up to
see a snag, a standing dead tree, Protecting the native forest cover
drilled heavily with holes made here helps infiltration of water into
by woodpeckers seeking a meal the soil, while filtering pollutants
of insects. An urban oasis, this before the water reaches Puget
private property is one of few Sound. Scientific research also tells
undeveloped woodlands on the us that leafy neighborhood trees,
eastern fringe of Silverdale. In like those in the Thorne urban forest,
December, Great Peninsula clean the air by capturing pollutants.
Conservancy and a very committed
landowner protected this property, While some of GPC’s efforts focus
affectionately referred to as the on preserving large, intact natural
Bucklin Hill Urban Forest. habitats, preserving community
Photo Credit: Michael Yadrick

greenspaces in the midst of busy

Looking east from Silverdale, the neighborhoods is also one of our
forest sits on a flat spot near the conservation strategies. With Mrs.
top of this prominent ridgeline Thorne’s additional generous pledge
that can be seen from around to GPC’s stewardship, defense and
Dyes Inlet. Looking west from monitoring fund, Great Peninsula
the property on a clear day, one Conservancy will continue to look
can see the spectacular scenery Marge Thorne smiles in delight at having fulfilled her after her conservation legacy forever.
of the Olympic Mountains. The dream of protecting her forest. And the entire Silverdale community,
property straddles two watersheds Mrs. Thorne carefully considered who enjoy the forested view, clean
– Clear Creek and Barker Creek. An her options and her goals: happy air and water, and wildlife refuge at the
overstory of Douglas fir, red alder, family, happy neighbors, and her crest of Bucklin Hill, will thank Marge
and pacific madrone towers over primary wish - the forest to remain and her family for their generous gift
a dense understory of huckleberry, natural forever. Protected today for many years to come.
salal, and sword fern. with a permanent conservation

The Bucklin Hill Urban Forest is

owned by Marge Thorne. Mrs.
easement, the forest now includes
some Douglas firs that are three feet Inside
around!
Thorne and her late husband, Chuck, 2010: Year of the Member......... 2
built the house on the property Numerous huckleberry bushes Great Peninsula Challenge......... 2
they purchased over 50 years ago provide seasonal snacks for the GPC Conservation Plan.............. 3
when it was part of a 20-acre turkey Thorne family and native birds alike.
Martha John Creek.................... 4
farm. Then partially forested, Marge The four-acre forest provides an oasis
has witnessed the trees growing for birds, which take cover in the Gilberton Creek......................... 5
larger. Growing up, their two girls “messy” thickets of native understory GPC 10th Anniversary................ 6
made camps in the woods and and forest canopy. Urban woodlands Shoreline Management Plan...... 6
Marge has been concerned about like this one give refuge to a variety
GPC Members in Action............ 7
it being developed for a number of of animals that are attracted to the
years. A longtime supporter of GPC, rich mix of mature trees, snags, native Calendar of Events..................... 8
 2010: The Year of the Member
2009 was another pivotal year for Peninsula Conservancy. I know there Great Peninsula
Great Peninsula Conservancy. In
2008 we placed our emphasis on
are many more people like you in our
communities. Our goal for 2010, The
Challenge
revitalizing our operating systems, Year of the Member, is to strengthen 2007-2009 Challenge
membership outreach, and our financial base by increasing the Since the fall of 2007, members
conservation partnerships. While number of GPC members and donors. of Great Peninsula Conservancy
in 2009 our conservation program contributed and pledged
really took off with the hiring of a Today, a dedicated group of 500 $118,000 toward our 2007-2009
Conservation Director, launching of people make up GPC’s members Great Peninsula Challenge goal
the Forests Initiative, and revision of and donors. You have made GPC an of $126,000. While we came in
our Conservation Plan. I’m looking to organization of which we all can be $8,000 under our target, this was
2010 to be the year our fundraising proud. Now, we need to reach out a remarkable achievement for
and membership expand to meet the and encourage more people to join our nearly 500 members.
needs of our growing organization. in our important work. The staff and Thank you!
To borrow (very) loosely from the board will be working toward that
Chinese calendar, I’ll call it ‘The Year end in 2010. I invite you to be part
of the Member’. of the effort. Please consider sharing
Great Peninsula Conservancy’s

Photo Credit:
Byron Kane
Great Peninsula Conservancy’s stories with your family, friends,
members and donors are truly the and colleagues. A colorful palette
lifeblood of our work. In 2009, GPC of conservation lands is awaiting
members and donors contributed GPC’s protection. With more people Immature bald eagle over
52% of our operating budget. In wielding paintbrushes, we can Klingel Wildlife Refuge.
2008, it was 69%. The difference is extend our brush strokes over a much
primarily due to increased success in broader sweep of the landscape. 2010 Challenge Goal – $50,000
2009 in obtaining grants from private As we turn our attention to 2010,
foundations and government agencies. This year is Great Peninsula GPC has launched a new one-
While we will continue to seek grants Conservancy’s 10th anniversary. year Challenge of $50,000. This
to support our Conservation Initiatives, Please join me in making this bump from about $40,000 a year
support from members will always be anniversary year – The Year of the to $50,000 is certainly within our
critical to our mission. Member. reach. As before, all contributions
to the Challenge will be matched
GPC members are a committed group and support vital work in GPC’s
of people who share a common vision Sandra three initiatives: Streams &
for conserving the great places of Staples-Bortner
Photo Credit: Sivad Studios

Estuaries, Forests, and Community

Executive Director
the Great Peninsula for our children, Greenspaces. Conserving the
grandchildren, and future generations. great places of the Great Peninsula
We share a passion for the land that is will only happen with your
evidenced in many ways, one of which support. Please help us meet our
is our willingness to contribute our 2010 goal!
hard-earned dollars to support Great

Great Peninsula Conservancy Newsletter

Great Peninsula Managing Editor – Kate Kuhlman
Conservancy Printed on recycled paper by Blue Sky Printing, Poulsbo, WA

Staff
…protecting forever the natural Sandra Staples-Bortner, Executive Director
habitats, rural landscapes, Kate Kuhlman, Operations Director
and open spaces of the Michael Yadrick, Conservation Director
Great Peninsula.
Board of Directors
John Lantz, President, Gig Harbor, 2010
3721 Kitsap Way, Suite 5 James D. DePew, Vice President, Gig Harbor, 2011
Bremerton, WA 98312 Kathleen Peters, Secretary, Bainbridge Island, 2011
John H. Nelson, Treasurer, Kingston, 2010
360-373-3500
1-866-373-3504 Thomas Antos, Gig Harbor, 2012  •  Mark L. Bubenik, Gig Harbor, 2012
www.greatpeninsula.org John Dickson, Gig Harbor, 2010  •  John Keates, Shelton, 2012
Sidnie Shaffer, Bremerton, 2011  •  Ken VanBuskirk, Belfair, 2011
2
 GPC Conservation Plan
A Road Map to Our Future
Great Peninsula Conservancy is beginning the new year partnerships and renew connections with members,
with a new Conservation Plan. We are evaluating ourselves, community groups, and project partners. We also hope
thinking about how we do conservation, and looking at to discover new friends along the way. Finalization of
projects for the future. Of course, we cannot do it alone the Conservation Plan will help GPC showcase our work
and we value your outlook on how to keep our waters and compete for important sources of grant funds. Most
clean, help fish and wildlife to thrive, make sure natural importantly, the Plan will provide clear direction and
areas are within reach of communities, and support working guidance for GPC’s Board and staff to ensure we spend
lands that give us a variety of food and forest products. our limited financial and human resources wisely.

Why is the document important? The Draft Conservation What is next? Your input is vital. If you have not done so
Plan presents a type of road map that will help us to fulfill already, please review and provide feedback on the
our mission – protecting forever the natural habitats, rural Draft Plan. It is available on the GPC website at www.
landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula. greatpeninsula.org. After reading the Draft Plan, you
Without a map, we won’t know where we are going are encouraged to let us know what you think of it by
and we won’t know when we get there! GPC’s previous completing a short online survey. If you wish, you also
Conservation Plan excellently outlined properties that have the choice of mailing, emailing, or calling with your
we wished to preserve. Efforts led to many successful comments. We are eager to hear from you as we create a
conservation projects, including greater protection along road map for the next six years of conservation action!
the Clear Creek Trail, purchase of properties in the Chico
Creek Watershed, and acquisition of Sehmel Homestead Conservation Strategies:
Park in Gig Harbor. • Focus conservation on priority lands: Streams and
Estuaries
With our Draft Plan in hand, we are now ready to gather • Focus conservation on priority lands: Forests
feedback on our action strategies, criteria for project selection, • Focus conservation on priority lands: Community
and identify future projects for the next six years (2010-2015). Greenspaces
We are pursuing our priorities by, of course, focusing on • Develop conservation partnerships with individuals,
conservation of lands and waters that are reflected in our public agencies, tribes, community groups, and
three Conservation Initiatives: Streams & Estuaries, Forests, other conservation organizations
and Community Greenspaces. Landowners are our primary • Conduct outreach to landowners on options for land
partners in conservation, and we educate people on options conservation
for voluntary conservation and stewardship of their property. • Build GPC’s capacity to be responsive to
We also nurture our conservation partnerships with public conservation opportunities
agencies, tribes, community groups, and other conservation
groups. By following this multi-
pronged approach, Great Peninsula
Conservancy continues to expand its
capacity to conserve priority lands
and waters across our region.

The Draft Conservation Plan was the

subject of a lively Open House at Photo Credit: Sandra Staples-Bortner
GPC’s office on February 3. Folks
had an opportunity to speak face-
to-face with GPC staff and Board
members, learn about the Draft
Plan, and express their views on just
about anything having to do with
conservation on the Great Peninsula.
These comments will help shape the
final revision of the Draft Plan before
GPC’s Board of Directors formally
adopts it later this spring.

Working through the planning

process will strengthen Conservation Director Michael Yadrick and long-time GPC supporter, Alice Harris, discuss
GPC Draft Conservation Plan at the February 3 Open House. 3
 Martha John Creek Conservation
freshwater habitat for young fish
and other wildlife. The Port Gamble
S’Klallam Tribe owns 400 acres
adjoining Martha John Creek. They
are managing this land with protection
of the stream as a high priority.
Photo Credit: Michael Yadrick

Outreach to neighbors will be a

key element in the project as Great
Peninsula Conservancy and the Port
Gamble S’Klallam Tribe move forward
with development of a conservation
plan for Martha John Creek and
Cedar Cove at the mouth of Martha John Creek.
Cedar Cove. GPC is beginning to
meet individually with neighbors and
Natural shorelines, free-flowing creeks in Martha John Creek has been will soon host a community gathering
and wetland habitats characterize declining over the last few years. to invite their input on conservation
Great Peninsula Conservancy’s Streams These natural resources are central to and stewardship of Martha John
and Estuaries Initiative. GPC’s Martha the culture of GPC’s primary partner Creek. Anyone wishing to participate
John Creek Conservation Project is one in the project, the Port Gamble in this community effort is urged to
of our newer endeavors in North Kitsap S’Klallam Tribe. contact Great Peninsula Conservancy.
County. Conserving Martha John

Photo Credit: Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

Creek’s pocket estuary and forested Protection of upstream habitat is
watershed will, in a small way, help to critical to protecting water quality in
protect the “jewel” of Hood Canal – the cove. In 2001, Great Peninsula
Port Gamble Bay. Conservancy made a start by
protecting seven acres of wetlands
Travelling north and south along near the junction of 288th Street and
Hansville Road, you move along the Gamble Bay Road. The open water
eastern extent of the watershed that here is part of a complex of wetlands
ultimately drains into the southeast that is connected to undeveloped
corner of Port Gamble Bay via Martha Miller Lake. The wetland supports a
John Creek. From its headwaters near dense growth of sedges, hardstem
Miller Lake to its outlet in Cedar Cove, bulrush, and cattails that provide Martha John, a revered S’Klallam elder.
Martha John Creek winds its ways
through a mostly forested landscape.
Though small in size, Martha John Who was Martha John? by Siv Carlson
Creek and Cedar Cove are in good Martha John Creek bears the name of all the time. By third grade, Martha
ecological condition and we want a beloved and honored member of the John was working in homes around
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. Martha Port Gamble and saving money to
to keep them that way! Where John, of S’Klallam and Lummi decent, spend on outings to Seattle. This
freshwater mixes with saltwater, the was a revered elder for her knowledge self sufficiency, aided by an undying
tidal creek and marshy lagoon give of traditional storytelling, crafts, and interest in all things she could learn
refuge to coho and chum salmon as three native languages. When the and observe, would become the key
well as sea-run cutthroat trout. Port Gamble S’Klallam built the House feature of Martha John’s personality so
of Knowledge in 2004, the symbol of highly regarded by later generations.
Martha John’s clan, the owl, was carved
The Martha John Creek Watershed into the center of one of the doors. When a University of Washington
spotlights some of the best things According to one of the carvers, language researcher wanted to
about living around Port Gamble this was done to celebrate those learn about Suquamish, S’Klallam,
Bay – open water with a beautiful individuals who took care to keep the and Chinook Jargon, Martha John
S’Klallam culture alive. was the one to teach them. Along
forested backdrop, abundant wildlife,
with languages, Martha John also
and plentiful shellfish beds. The Martha John was born in 1891 and, recounted legends and stories, and
watershed has not always been for the first years of her life, split time taught crafts and fishing techniques.
healthy, though. State health officials between Guemes Island and Port Living well into her late 80s, her
closed commercial shellfish Gamble. Eventually staying in the independent spirit and self subsistence
harvest in Cedar Cove for three Port Gamble area with her father, ways, combined with careful
she described her upbringing as observations early on in her life, made
years in the late 1990s due to “unconventional” since as a girl she her a most important and valuable
high fecal coliform levels. Now, was allowed to run around outside member of the S’Klallam People.
4 the salmon population
 Gilberton Creek Restoration Update
Great Peninsula the tideflats are a
Conservancy is navigation hazard for
fortunate to have boats and also should
had the assistance of be removed. There
Kitsap Conservation may be an opportunity
District in assessing to use some of this
options for restoring wood as habitat
Gilberton Creek. This features in the restored
Photo Credit: Betsy Carlson

small East Kitsap estuary.

stream was heavily
damaged by a road The estuary can be
washout in December restored by digging out
2007 caused by an enough mud from the
undersized culvert cove so that it again
and heavy rains. holds water at low
The damage is in Illahee Road asphalt paving, here showing the white center-line stripe, washed into tide and tidal flushing
Gilberton Creek.
full view: reduced action is restored.
water quality, damage to habitats, and vegetation is re-establishing itself on Since we expect upstream sediments
reduced scenic values. Conservation the valley floor, which helps stabilize from the road washout to continue
District Engineer Rich Geiger has the stream channel. However gravel to make their way downstream,
recommended an approach to restore and mud will continue to move a sediment trap will be built just
the estuary and nearshore environment through the system for several years. upstream of the cove. The purpose
at the least cost and with least impact The new 10-foot culvert under Illahee of the trap – basically a large pit
on the stream and estuary habitat. Road seems up to the task of letting dug into the stream channel – is to
Gilberton Creek’s normally low-water capture this sediment before it can
The road washout severely scoured flow unimpeded. While this is good, refill the lagoon. The sediment trap
Gilberton’s stream channel, leaving it makes it unlikely that winter rains would need to be dug out annually
behind large gravel in the upper or tidal action will be sufficient to during the dry season. Over time, the
creek and deep mud in the pocket flush out the deep mud that has upstream creek bed will stabilize, and
estuary. Slabs of asphalt, large chunks accumulated in the cove. the trap will no longer be needed.
from the old concrete culvert, and
lengths of guardrail litter the stream Salmon are not known to spawn in Recommendations in hand, Great
floor, some buried up to two and a Gilberton Creek. However, its pocket Peninsula Conservancy is now
half feet deep! Now two years later, estuary does provide important consulting with affected landowners,
habitat for salmon, other fish, and Kitsap County, Suquamish Tribe, and
a variety of birds. Our restoration Washington Department of Fish and
Gilberton Creek after the efforts will be focused on the pocket Wildlife to determine the feasibility
Illahee Road Wash Out estuary – known as Grahn Kove. of this restoration proposal. Stream
• 1/2 mile of creek impacted restoration is part science and part
from Illahee Road to shoreline The recommended approach is to art, so these additional viewpoints
• Heavy scouring of ~120 ft. of remove the worst debris from the will help shape a strong restoration
stream below road embankment stream channel and cove, dig out the plan. We can then move ahead with
• Stream bank scoured leaving 7 estuary, and prevent new sediment the real undertaking of restoration.
ft. cuts in places from refilling the
• 590 dump truck loads of fill estuary. The
washed downstream first step in the
Photo Credit: Betsy Carlson

• 6.5 dump truck loads of restoration will

asphalt (~134 tons) deposited be to remove
in stream and pocket estuary the accessible
• Slabs of asphalt buried to a road debris
depth of 2.5 ft. in some locations from the stream
• Asphalt left at a height of 4.5 valley, estuary,
ft. on the banks of the stream and surrounding
• Guard rail left 6.5 ft. up a tree beaches. Large
• Large trees uprooted and tree trunks
washed downstream to litter and root
the cove and beach wads littering
Illahee Road guardrail and large woody debris in Gilberton Creek. 5
 GPC 10th Anniversary
Thirty years ago the stewardship responsibilities for their
first of four local land lands far into the future. To provide
trusts formed to help that assurance, Great Peninsula
their communities and Conservancy was established ten
Photo Credit: Mary Ellen McCaffree

neighbors preserve years ago with the merger of four

natural areas and local conservancies: Hood Canal,
woodlands, protect Kitsap, Indianola, and Peninsula
fragile shorelines, Heritage land trusts. Thanks to
restore degraded the foresight of our founders and
streams and wetlands, to those that have carried their
and take care of these vision forward, Great Peninsula
special places forever. Conservancy is going strong ten
Gary Cunningham, first GPC Board President, addresses years later. GPC is still providing land
membership at “Merger Day Celebration” in June 2000. For their pioneering conservation resources to individuals,
protection efforts to be communities, and our conservation
successful, the founding land trusts partners throughout the region…
Milestones in thirty years of recognized the need for a viable protecting forever the lands and
local land conservation organization that could shoulder waters of the Great Peninsula.

• Indianola Land Trust founded in

1980 as 2nd oldest land trust in

Photo Credit: Mary Ellen McCaffree

Washington State
• First fee title property donated to
Hood Canal Land Trust in 1985 –
Klingel Wildlife Refuge
• First conservation easement
donated to Hood Canal Land
Trust in 1986 – Johnson South
Sound Refuge
• First fee title property donated
to Indianola Land Trust in 1989 – Founding Land Trust members gather at Clear Creek Sa’qad Interpretive Center to celebrate
Puget Street creation of Great Peninsula Conservancy in June 2000.
• First conservation easement and
fee title property donated to Shoreline Management Plan Review
Kitsap Land Trust in 1991 – Hood
Canal - Lofall - Bolin All of Washington’s counties promote public access. Second,
• First conservation easement are currently in the process there is a mandate for no-net-
donated to Indianola Land Trust of updating their shoreline loss of ecological functions, and
in 1992 – Indianola Greenway - management plans. While most finally there must be provisions for
West/Stech of us do not become terribly shoreline restoration.
• First conservation easement excited about the details of land
donated to Peninsula Heritage use planning, this update has the The jurisdictions (counties and
Land Trust in 1993 – Henderson possibility of dramatically altering cities) must start with an exhaustive
Bay - Home - Lind the way we use and even think analysis of the existing shorelines,
• First fee title property donated about our shorelines. The original both marine and freshwater. This
to Peninsula Heritage Land Trust state legislation, enacted in 1971, will be followed by an extensive
in 1995 – Henderson Bay - Home was followed by the various county public review process. Pierce
Cemetery plans, which have remained County has been in the process
• Great Peninsula Conservancy basically the same for the last 38 for almost two years. Kitsap and
formed by merger in May 2000 years. Mason counties are just beginning.
• First Executive Director hired in
December 2000 The update has some very specific If you are interested in the health
• Staff grows to three in 2009 goals. First, it will attempt to of shorelines, you can take part by
• Over 2,000 acres protected balance the goals of the Shoreline connecting to the Kitsap or Pierce
in Kitsap, west Pierce, and Management Act: encourage county websites, or send a letter
north Mason Counties water dependent uses, protect to the Mason County Planning
shoreline natural resources, and Department c/o Barbara Adkins.
6
 GPC Members in Action
Photo Credit: Sidnie Shaffer

Photo Credit: Ken Shawcroft

Linda Benedict (second from left) and John Dickson (third from left)
receive recognition of their legacy gifts to GPC and a “Legacy Society Hansville Greenway volunteers recently completed this new bridge at
rock” at Fall Donor Reception. Hawk’s Hole on the Hansville Greenway; funding for this project was
provided by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

2009 Stewardship by the Numbers

• 57 of 57 Conservation Easement
Photo Credit: Kate Kuhlman

projects monitored

• 41 of 42 Fee Title projects

monitored

• 6 Baseline Reports completed

covering 19 properties
Clear Creek Trail recently provided an outdoor classroom for Peter
Callahan’s (left) Olympic College Environmental Sciences class. Students
identified wetland soil types, wetland vegetation and discussed present
and past uses of the fields and wetlands in the Clear Creek valley north
of Silverdale.

Sinclair Inlet Birding Trip Report Memorial Gifts

(November 2009 – January 2010)
On January 21, 12 GPC members joined Executive Director Sandra
Staples-Bortner on a birdwatching trip along the south side of Sinclair
Inlet. Stopping at several places from Port Orchard to Gorst, this eager
group spotted 17 species of water birds, including large numbers of
Barrow’s goldeneye, white-winged scoter, bufflehead, and American
wigeon. Sinclair Inlet is a heavily used wintering area for many species In memory of Dick Armstrong
of ducks. We also were fortune to see all three species of merganser: Bill & Linda Bruce
red-breasted, common, and the much smaller hooded. In the shallows, In memory of Dr. & Mrs. H. A. Barner
we saw pintail, mallard, and the strikingly beautiful green-winged teal. Bruce & Tina Barner
The search for shorebirds turned up black turnstone and sanderling. In memory of Donna Cooper Pepos
Many of the trip participants were novice birders who delighted in Bill & Berrit Price
learning the different species and seeing them through the high power In memory of Rick Fackler
of a spotting scope. Participants remarked that our leisurely 9:30 a.m. Robert Elliott
start time and the mild weather contributed to the fun of the trip. In memory of Dan & Shirley Inveen
Cam & Esther Haslam
Laura Inveen
Photo Credit: Terry Mace

In memory of Fred Reisch

Ann Reisch
In memory of Cory Topness
Richard & Carolyn Topness
In memory of Larry Wiltermood
Ann Reisch
Green-winged Teal Hooded Merganser 7
 non-profit org.
us postage
silverdale, wa

Great Peninsula permit no. 73

Conservancy Return Service Requested

3721 Kitsap Way, Suite 5
Bremerton, WA 98312

Calendar of Events
Visit our website, www.greatpeninsula.org, for the most current information. To volunteer or sign up
for an event call or email Kate at 360-373-3500, 1-866-373-3504, or [email protected].

Review GPC’s Conservation Plan — Save the Dates! —

& Take a Short Survey
Sehmel Homestead Park Opening
Share your ideas. Gig Harbor in April
Help shape the future of the Great Peninsula. Watch www.penmetparks.org for details.
It’s easy! Just visit www.greatpeninsula.org and follow
the links at the bottom of our home page. Comments GPC Annual Celebration and Auction - July 24.
accepted through February 28. Something new will be added to our Annual
Celebration this summer – a fundraising auction! Do
Photo Credit: Katherine De Bruyn

you have a beach cottage, ski condo, or vacation

getaway you would consider donating to GPC for
a weekend or week? Perhaps you are an artist and
could donate an original painting or sculpture? Or
maybe you are an avid sailor or sea kayaker and
would like to host a couple of lucky members on a
Puget Sound excursion? Be creative and contact GPC
([email protected]) with your ideas soon.
A week at a cottage in this picturesque French Village will be Thank you!
auctioned at GPC’s Annual Celebration on July 24.