SAN JUAN COUNTY LANDBANK | SAN JUAN ISLAND ACTIVITIES
THE LAND BANK STORY SAN JUAN COUNTY, 1990: Land development and tourism were on the rise, and the County’s population was rapidly growing. Facing the loss of places they loved, a diverse group of locals sought for a way to save their treasured open spaces and maintain their quality of life. Their collective vision led to the creation of the San Juan County Citizens Conservation Land Bank. The Conservation Land Bank is charged with preserving exceptional places in the islands, guided by local input. A one-time 1% real estate excise tax, paid by purchasers of property at closing, funds the program. In this way the community, through the Conservation Land Bank, has the ability to purchase and thereby protect the places that make the islands such a special place to visit, raise a family, retire. This investment in community space has paid off in spades. Since its inception thirty years ago, the Conservation Land Bank has protected close to 7,700 acres. The portfolio includes some of the archipelago’s most celebrated places: Westside Preserve on San Juan, Turtleback Mountain on Orcas and the Fisherman Bay Preserves on Lopez. When possible, areas with significant wildlife habitat and community value are purchased and turned into preserves. The Land Bank stewards forests and grasslands, tidelands, 12 different beaches and have designated 50 miles of trails. The Land Bank also manages over 60 conservation easements on private lands. These easements safeguard sweeping views of the sea, family farmlands and waterfowl-rich wetlands. This is a community that prioritizes open space and strives to provide and protect farms, forests, shores and scenic vistas now and for the generations to come. Welcome!
Interested in learning more? Visit us online at SJCLANDBANK.ORG or reach out to:
TANJA WILLIAMSON FRAZER HOMESTEAD
tanjaw@sjclandbank.org T. 360-378-4402
PRESERVE
MT. GRANT
NEWT POND
DEADMAN BAY
ZYLSTRA LAKE
PRESERVE
PRESERVE
MT. GRANT PRESERVE
KING SISTER'S PRESERVE
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WWW.SANJUANISLANDS.COM
WESTSIDE
PRESERVE
PHOTOS COURTESY SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK
