The Whidbey Camano Land Trust turns 25 years old this year and the public is invited to join the celebration by participating in a “passport” program that offers a chance to win an all-day cruise along the coasts of Whidbey and Camano islands.
During its quarter-century history, the Land Trust has protected thousands of acres of forest, farmlands and seashore on Whidbey and Camano. The passport program will give the public a chance to visit some of these protected areas and work with Land Trust staff and volunteers on conservation projects.
The passport includes nine activities for which participants can earn “visa” stamps. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing for the cruise. Four lucky winners, each of whom may bring a guest, will take the scenic trip with scientists who will share information and insights about the islands, the water, and wildlife.
Passports are available at the Land Trust office in Barn C at Greenbank Farm, the Polka Dot Paperie in downtown Oak Harbor, Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, and Boomerang Printing in Clinton. More details about the passport program and other pick-up locations are available on the Land Trust website, www.wclt.org/news/passport.
The Land Trust also has scheduled several summer community events:
Forest tour: Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., tour Harry Case’s 176-acre South Whidbey forest that was protected by the Land Trust last December. Harry’s grandson, Shawn Connor, who grew up playing and working in this forest and is passionate about sustainable forest management, will guide this tour through the forest and share his knowledge. Call 360-222-3310, or email info@wclt.org.
Plein Air Art Invitational: “Plein air” is a French expression used to describe the act of painting outdoors. From June 13 to July 17, artists from around the state will be doing just that on lands protected by community action and the Land Trust. The public is invited to watch some of the artists at work in the Dugualla Bay neighborhood north of Oak Harbor from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, and take a gentle guided walk along the bay and learn more about the natural surroundings.
Works completed by the artists will be entered in a juried competition and will be available for viewing and purchase at a garden party at Four Springs Preserve on Camano Island Sunday, July 19. An admission will be charged.
Artists interested in participating in the invitational competition will find more information and registration forms at www.wclt.org/news/plienair.
Save the things you value most: Tom Haensly, an attorney who specializes in estate planning and land conservation, will lead a public seminar from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Puget Sound Energy conference room in Freeland. Haensly will explain legal options available to make sure your estate plan supports the things you most value. Participants must register prior to the seminar by calling 360-222-3310, or email info@wclt.org.
For more information on any of these activities, contact the Land Trust at 360-222-3310.
