Protecting our lands and waters
for generations to come.
Great Peninsula Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula region of West Puget Sound, Washington. View our Map to see where we work.
Our Story
In the 1980s, as the population on the peninsula began to grow, visionary local leaders took action to preserve the natural beauty of this region and protect local lands and waters. For their protection efforts to be successful, they realized a strong organization was needed to take on regional challenges and to shoulder stewardship responsibilities far into the future. Great Peninsula Conservancy was formed in 2000 to take on those responsibilities.
Our mission is to conserve vibrant forests, streams, shorelines and community greenspaces to help wildlife and people thrive. We commit to caring for the lands we protect to ensure wildlife and people enjoy the many benefits of nature well into the future. And we enrich lives by offering opportunities for people to experience nature close up.
To date we have preserved 11,000 acres of evergreen forests, salmon streams, marine shorelines and community parks.
What We Do
With almost four decades of conservation accomplishments in the region, Great Peninsula Conservancy is a trusted conservation leader. We work in collaboration with community groups, local governments, tribes, and landowners, providing the tools and expertise to preserve forever the special landscapes of the Great Peninsula region.
Great Peninsula Conservancy protects land by creating nature preserves that we own, partnering with public agencies to create local parks, and by placing permanent restrictions on private land that help sustain family farms and forests through generations. Conserved lands are either purchased at fair market value or received through donation. Our work is made possible by generous contributions from individuals, foundations, and public agencies, and by the willingness (and often passion) of landowners to conserve their land.
View our Featured Projects to read stories of how communities have joined together to save a forest or stream near you!
Accreditation
The accreditation seal is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence.
GPC’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
GPC’s mission is to protect the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula of Washington’s Puget Sound. This mission can only be achieved through the work of many hands and the input of many voices. GPC welcomes a diversity of views from, but not limited to, those based on race, culture, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, nationality, geography, age, ability or disability, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, socio-economic status, faith, political beliefs, or other identities. Furthermore, GPC recognizes that the success of our conservation, stewardship, and environmental education work is dependent on our ability to foster an inclusive environment that values all perspectives. To us, inclusivity means creating a space in which all people feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. We acknowledge that creating equity is a challenging and ongoing process, but one that is key to effectively serving our community and protecting the lands and waters of the Great Peninsula for generations to come. We welcome all input and guidance. Specifically, GPC commits to:
- Ensure opportunities to serve as staff, board members, and volunteers are shared widely and conscientiously so that the greatest possible number of community members are aware and feel welcome and encouraged to apply.
- Review our programs, projects, policies, bylaws, and strategic plan with equity in mind.
- Renew focus on expanding and improving outdoor education and recreation opportunities for low-income students, minority students, and students without family traditions of spending time in nature.
Learn More
Great Peninsula Conservancy celebrated 20 years of conservation on May 12, 2020. Watch the video led by Executive Director Nathan Daniel to learn more about about GPC’s notable projects over the last two decades and the organization’s plans for the future of conservation on the Great Peninsula.