The Land Bank’s First “Outer Island” Preserve

Henry Island Preserve – Contributed photo

The San Juan County Land Bank received a spectacular gift on December 28th, 2016: an 80-acre donation on Henry Island! Sarah Hart is generously donating the underlying fee interest in the property to the Land Bank, along with a conservation easement to the San Juan Preservation Trust.

The new Preserve has two shorelines extending over 3,100 feet in total. The western shore on the Haro Strait hosts several cormorant rookeries, and above, Garry oak savannah reaches to the summit with expansive views to Vancouver Island. On the east, dense forests of the interior yield to Open Bay with several pocket beaches nestled amidst rocky outcrops. “With its rookeries, dual shorelines and upland forest, this property is a spectacular addition to the wonderful places already in our care,” stated Land Bank Director, Lincoln Bormann.

While the Preserve is not yet open to the public, the Land Bank will be starting its management planning effort soon and hopes to create access for paddlers and others in the near future. As one of the conditions for the donation, the Land Bank will provide the opportunity for the Lummi tribe to use the site for ceremonies and other culturally important events for short periods each year.

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