Bainbridge Island Land Trust

06/18/2026

Meet the forest's most unexpected parasite: the Spotted Coralroot orchid (Corallorhiza maculata)!

This strange native plant doesn't make its own food through photosynthesis; instead, it steals nutrients from an underground network of mycorrhizal fungi. Those fungi absorb carbon from nearby trees in a symbiotic relationship, and in turn, the coralroot orchid leaches off this partnership and takes those nutrients for itself. 🧛 Instead of roots, the coralroot uses knobby rhizomes that resemble marine coral to absorb these nutrients underground. This plant is a reminder that every organism is connected to a vast living network beneath the soil.

This native wildflower has been spotted blooming at Springbrook Creek Preserve! Have you seen it around Bainbridge Island?

06/17/2026

Please join us in welcoming Rebecca Lane as the Land Trust’s Interim Executive Director!

Rebecca brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a deep appreciation for island communities. Throughout her career, she has served as an executive director, development director, and interim executive director for local mission-driven organizations. As we begin the thoughtful search for our next permanent Executive Director, Rebecca’s leadership will help maintain continuity, support our staff, and advance our conservation work.

Fun fact: Rebecca spent part of her early career raising sheep on Lopez Island, giving her a firsthand connection to the unique character and values of island life.

We’re excited to have Rebecca join the Land Trust community! Thanks for your continued support in this transition. 💚

06/15/2026

We're excited to support Bainbridge Pride for the 2026 festival this Saturday, "Rooted in Pride!" Join us for a day of joy & community, and be sure to stop by our booth to celebrate our "roots" with activities on all things native plants!

Happy pride! 🏳️‍🌈

06/12/2026

Ever heard of Croker Preserve?

This week, Land Trust staff explored this little-known protected space adjacent to Grand Forest West, with its majestic conifers and lush wetlands. Along the way, we dug into the fascinating and complicated history of the property, learned to identify edible native plants, and braved a tricky crossing over Issei Creek.

Want a glimpse this special place for yourself? Join us at our upcoming volunteer work party at Croker Preserve on June 21! It's a great opportunity to explore this hidden gem while helping care for the land. Sign up here 👉 https://www.bi-landtrust.org/2026-work-parties/

06/11/2026

This is what community science looks like! 🔎

Since January, volunteers have been wading into ponds & wetlands across Bainbridge Island, documenting frogs, salamanders, egg masses, & tadpoles as part of the CROAK (Community Research on Amphibians of Kitsap) community science effort.

Thanks to our intrepid volunteers, we're learning a lot about the health of our pond & wetland ecosystems. As the breeding season wraps up, stay tuned for results of this year's surveys!

06/08/2026

Please join us at the Preservation Partners Summer Celebration on July 18 as we celebrate our most iconic Island landscapes! 🌼

We’ll gather at Bountiful Farm in the heart of the Springbrook Creek Watershed, surrounded by vibrant fields, a peaceful stream and an enchanting cedar grove. Discover the science of Springbrook Creek by joining us for an optional Creek Ecology Walk at 4pm before the celebration.

Tickets are selling fast! RSVP by June 12 and help support the Land Trust’s ongoing conservation work 👉 https://bi-landtrust.org/ppsc

06/05/2026

Conservation is truly a community effort!

Read the feature in the Bainbridge Island Review to learn how you can make a difference for our natural spaces 👇

As of 2024, just 1,885 acres of undeveloped and unprotected land remain on Bainbridge Island. Over the past four decades, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has worked to ensure that conservation keeps pace with development on the island. The Land Trust conserves the natural beauty and biodiversity of...

06/03/2026

It's time for Bainbridge Gives! 💚
Every dollar given toward this grant will keep our vital programs running, from hands-on stewardship and habitat restoration to community events and outdoor education. With your support, we will care for critical lands and expand meaningful opportunities to connect with nature.

Bainbridge Gives is an initiative that raises funds for critical needs identified by local nonprofits as part of Bainbridge Community Foundation Community Grants Cycle—a process in which local nonprofits submit grant applications that are vetted and approved by community volunteers.

Donate by June 12 at https://bainbridgegives.org

06/01/2026

🌙 Embrace the dark and expand your senses on the summer solstice!

Join us on June 21 for a Summer Solstice Night Walk led by Land Trust staff. This hour-long guided walk at the Wildlife Corridor* is a unique opportunity to experience the forest in a new way after dark and observe nocturnal wildlife like frogs, beavers, and owls. In the comfort of a small group, we'll wander slowly & quietly through the forest at dusk, letting our eyes and ears awaken to the rhythms of the night.

🎟 Tickets are now live here: https://bit.ly/BILT-summer (link in bio)
Spots are extremely limited, so grab yours fast!

*NOTE: The Wildlife Corridor is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. Outside of this guided event, please do not use the trails at night to avoid disturbing wildlife.

05/28/2026

Time for a summer of stewardship! ☀️ Our volunteer work parties are a hands-on way for you to give back, connect with our community, and care for the places we all love.

📆 First Wednesday Work Party: Wed, June 3 • 9 - 11 am
Let's battle scotch broom at the Land Trust's oldest conservation easement on Day Rd!

📆 Weekend Work Party: Sun, June 21 • 9 - 11 am
Dig in with us at Croker T. Preserve and help identify and pull invasives across the property.

Whether you’re new to volunteering or a seasoned steward, there’s a place for you. Sign up at the link in bio!