Photos taken by Claire Voris The boardwalks leading to Salmonberry Creek at Howe Farm Park had met their match. The contender? A family of beavers and their dam. Beavers are quite prolific in this section of Salmonberry Creek. Their dam spans the width of the creek and has forced the waters and mud to rise…
Local land trust looks to protect Burke Bay Estuary in Brownsville
The Great Peninsula Conservancy recently announced that the property owners of the Burke Bay Estuary in Brownsville have decided to donate the $135,000 property to the land trust. For years, a group of Brownsville residents have been keeping tabs on the vacant properties surrounding the estuary, according to a release from the conservancy. The GPC…
August Walks & Talks: Photo Recap
In total, over 50 naturalist enthusiasts journeyed out (rain and shine) for a chance to discuss the flora, fauna, and history at one of three community greenspaces we toured this August: Ueland Tree Farm, Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, and Banner Forest Heritage Park. GPC Executive Director Nate Daniel and Conservation Project Manager Brenna Thompson…
Words from the Woods: from ponies to tide-pools
A few impactful words from NextGen Outdoor Camp’s Outdoor Education Specialist Skyler Schmidt. Skyler is a Washington native who spends his off-season teaching elementary school in Pacific Beach, and his summers teaching NextGen students how to embrace the wild places of his home state with confidence. Skyler, aka “Geoduck,” has a special talent for creating…
Words from the Woods: summer harvest
NextGen Outdoor Camp is beyond lucky to have Evergreen College grad Breanne Johnston interning with us this summer. Breanne aspires to teach middle-school history, and is using the summer to work closely with professional teachers Lauren Richardson and Skyler Schmidt to learn how to navigate our dynamic outdoor classroom, and to design curriculum that will…
Words from the Woods: a letter of thanks
NextGen Outdoor Camp students have the privilege of meeting with some phenomenal mentors this summer. These individuals have given of their time and resources to create impactful experiences for NextGen students that reflect GPC’s mission: to get students outside and provide them with the recreational and educational opportunities that will allow them to appreciate their…
Great Peninsula Conservancy to host nature tours in August
Tours occur at Ueland Tree Farm, Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, and Banner Forest Heritage Park (RSVP here) The Great Peninsula Conservancy is announcing its August nature tours across the Kitsap Peninsula with executive director Nate Daniel. The event series will be taking place at three community green spaces and parks throughout the county. “This…
Words from the Woods: for the next generation
Outside the Suquamish House of Awakened Culture, Denita Holmes sits on her knees gently sifting through strips of red cedar that rustle like paper as they settle on the lawn. She’s collected the cedar herself, and describes to the small group of NextGen Outdoor Camp students what that process entails. The tree must be at…
Groups angling to purchase site on Miller Bay for nature preserve
(Photo: Meegan M. Reid / Kitsap Sun) INDIANOLA – Paul Dorn gradually fights his way up a steep embankment along Miller Bay Road, loose dirt slipping under his feet and knees as he scrambles to the top. “The worst I could do is tumble back down,” he says. Eventually he makes it to the roadside…
New conservancy director aims for more community engagement
Nathan Daniel wants to conduct more community science projects with universities and the state. The newly named executive director of the Great Peninsula Conservancy is looking to continue the trajectory that the organization has been on for years under the recently retired Sandra Staples-Bortner. The organization is a nonprofit land trust charged with protecting natural…