Capitol Land Trust

Capitol Land Trust At Capitol Land Trust, we conserve and forever care for the lands and waters of the South Puget Sound and Chehalis Basin watersheds.

Experience nature close to home. Give to the Connecting to the Land Campaign: https://capitollandtrust.org/connecting We envision a future for our region in which nature and community thrive because Capitol Land Trust (CLT) and our partners have invested in conservation of and education about our natural places and resources. Through our conservation work and against the backdrop of climate change

, we help ensure that our quickly growing region is a place with clean water to drink and clean air to breathe, healthy populations of native fish and wildlife, and natural open spaces that help define our communities. By creating broader opportunities to learn about and experience our natural environment, we build a stronger and more diverse community that cares about conservation.

Don't forget: Second Saturdays is happening this weekend at Bayshore Preserve!Join us this Saturday as we learn about th...
06/11/2026

Don't forget: Second Saturdays is happening this weekend at Bayshore Preserve!

Join us this Saturday as we learn about the relationship between Prairies & Pollinators. During this casual walk, we'll explore Bayshore's blooming prairie and hear from experts about the native bees and other pollinators that rely on this important habitat.

All are welcome. Bring your curiosity and a friend!

Saturday, June 13
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bayshore Preserve, 3800 WA-3, Shelton
Free • No parking pass or RSVP required

For more information, visit https://capitollandtrust.org/second-saturdays-prairies-pollinators

We’re honored to be featured on the June cover of The Voice magazine! Thank you Thurston County Chamber for helping shar...
06/08/2026

We’re honored to be featured on the June cover of The Voice magazine! Thank you Thurston County Chamber for helping share the story of land conservation across our region.

For more than 40 years, Capitol Land Trust has helped protect the lands and waters that make South Puget Sound special, conserving more than 6,700 acres and nearly 20 miles of marine shoreline.

As the article beautifully says, “Thanks to their tireless work over the last 40 years, local land and waterfronts will remain for generations to come.”

You can read the full story on our website: https://capitollandtrust.org/voice2026

🐝🌼 Prairie plants, pollinators, and the people who know them best: Join us for this free event on June 13 at Bayshore Pr...
06/05/2026

🐝🌼 Prairie plants, pollinators, and the people who know them best: Join us for this free event on June 13 at Bayshore Preserve, near Shelton.

This month’s Second Saturdays topic is Prairies & Pollinators. Explore Bayshore in-bloom on this guided walk through the preserve’s prairie habitat with experts including ecologist Dave Peter and pollinator biologist Audrey Mechtenberg. No experience is required and everyone is welcome.

Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bayshore Preserve, 3800 WA-3, Shelton
Free. No parking pass or RSVP needed.

Learn more: https://capitollandtrust.org/second-saturdays-prairies-pollinators

What a beautiful, bird-filled morning at Inspiring Kids Preserve! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bird Outin...
06/04/2026

What a beautiful, bird-filled morning at Inspiring Kids Preserve!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bird Outing on Sunday, May 31. It was a joy to gather with fellow birding enthusiasts and share in the wonder of the preserve's incredible wildlife.

Groups reported spotting around 30 distinct species throughout the outing. Birds who made an appearance include woodland species like chestnut-backed chickadees, grosbeaks, Steller's and California Scrub jays, Anna's hummingbirds, and Pacific wrens — “so loud for such a small bird,” as one participant put it. Shorebirds like Canada geese, great blue herons, cormorants, gulls, and bald eagles were gathered in large numbers within the estuary, taking advantage of feeding opportunities brought by the low tide.

Events like this that bring bird and human communities together remind us why this land is worth protecting. A heartfelt thank you to South Sound Bird Alliance for partnering with us to make it happen and to Ben Higgins for the amazing close-up shots of a cedar waxwing and white-crowned sparrow.

Check out our events page if you’d like to join us for future outings! https://capitollandtrust.org/events/

🐸 Oregon spotted frog sighting!Earlier this month, Bullfrog Tech Clint Howell visited our Blooms Preserve and spotted on...
05/29/2026

🐸 Oregon spotted frog sighting!

Earlier this month, Bullfrog Tech Clint Howell visited our Blooms Preserve and spotted one of these rare, endangered amphibians in the wetlands.

Could it be one of the frogs responsible for the egg masses discovered at Blooms back in March? We can’t know for sure, but it’s exciting to see evidence that this important population is still active.

The survey also documented a variety of other wetland species, including an American bittern, Olympic mudminnow, stickleback, Northwestern salamander egg masses, and Virginia rail.

Blooms Preserve protects more than 140 acres of wetlands and habitat in the Black River watershed and is home to one of Washington’s last remaining populations of Oregon spotted frogs.

Learn more about Blooms Preserve and our conservation work in the Black River and Chehalis Basin watersheds: https://capitollandtrust.org/conserved-lands/conservation-areas/black-river-chehalis-watershed/

Two preserves. One shared vision.Of the more than 100 properties Capitol Land Trust has conserved, Bayshore Preserve nea...
05/27/2026

Two preserves. One shared vision.

Of the more than 100 properties Capitol Land Trust has conserved, Bayshore Preserve near Shelton and Inspiring Kids Preserve in Olympia stand apart for their ability to connect people with nature close to home.

Through our Connecting to the Land Campaign, we’re investing in these two “ambassador preserves” to create more opportunities for people to explore trails, attend programs, learn outdoors, and build lasting relationships with the lands and waters that sustain our region.

At Bayshore Preserve, recent improvements are already helping more people experience the land in new ways, with more to come. In the years ahead, Inspiring Kids Preserve will become a new place for people to explore forests, wetlands, and shoreline habitats through thoughtfully designed trails and learning spaces.

Learn more about our vision for these special places:https://capitollandtrust.org/connecting

🪻🌹 Spring blooms are putting on a colorful show at Bayshore Preserve. Lupine is currently blooming along the preserve’s ...
05/22/2026

🪻🌹 Spring blooms are putting on a colorful show at Bayshore Preserve.

Lupine is currently blooming along the preserve’s trails in vibrant shades of purple, while camas and budding Nootka rose add even more seasonal color throughout the landscape. These native flowers help support pollinators like bees and butterflies and offer a beautiful reminder of the diversity of plants found throughout the South Puget Sound region.

Whether you’re hoping for a peaceful walk, a chance to spot wildlife, or simply some time surrounded by spring color, this is a wonderful time to visit Bayshore Preserve.

This holiday weekend, consider exploring the spring blooms at Bayshore Preserve near Shelton. No parking pass required! https://capitollandtrust.org/conserved-lands/visit-a-preserve/

Looking for a great way to spend a spring morning? 🐦 Join Capitol Land Trust and South Sound Bird Alliance on a guided ...
05/20/2026

Looking for a great way to spend a spring morning? 🐦

Join Capitol Land Trust and South Sound Bird Alliance on a guided bird outing at Inspiring Kids Preserve near Olympia. This 113-acre preserve along Henderson Inlet offers a remarkable mix of habitats — including forest, salt marsh, and freshwater wetlands — making it a wonderful place to spot spring migrants and resident species alike.

This event is free, beginner and family-friendly and covers up to two miles at a leisurely pace. Space is capped at 30 participants, so sign up soon!

Sunday, May 31
8:30 am – 11:30 am
Inspiring Kids Preserve, Olympia (directions sent after registration)

Register and learn more: https://capitollandtrust.org/bird-outing-to-inspiring-kids-preserve-2/

05/19/2026

🐣 The wood ducklings at Darlin Creek Preserve recently hatched!

Following their mother’s call, the tiny ducklings climb out one by one and leap from the nest box for the very first time. You may even spot a few hooded merganser ducklings mixed in!

Nest boxes like this help provide safe nesting places for cavity-nesting birds in areas where natural tree cavities are limited.

See what else we’ve got hatching at CapitolLandTrust.org

📹 Jerrmaine Treadwell

Thanks for another fantastic Second Saturdays at Bayshore Preserve! 🌳With the help of guest photographer Leslie Coulter,...
05/13/2026

Thanks for another fantastic Second Saturdays at Bayshore Preserve! 🌳

With the help of guest photographer Leslie Coulter, we captured some amazing photographs while gaining a deeper appreciation for Garry oaks and their importance to local landscapes. One highlight was observing the many species who depend on these magnificent trees, from the Steller’s jays that feast on their acorns to the tiny insects who make a home under fallen branches.

Events like Second Saturdays provide a unique opportunity to learn something new while spending time with community in the great outdoors.

Missed it this time? Join us next month for Prairies & Pollinators!

Upcoming events: https://capitollandtrust.org/events/

Address

Mailing Address: PO Box, Tumwater, WA 98511
Freedom, WA
14065

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13609433012

Website

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