Friends of Camano Island Parks

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Friends of Camano Island Parks

Better Parks, A Better Place to Live

FOCIP is a non-profit, all volunteer community organization We also sponsor the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project.

Camano Island is the tenth community in the nation certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. http://www.camanowildlifehabitat.org/

04/13/2026

FOCIP SPRING WALK

SATURDAY, MAY 2nd:
IVERSON SPIT PRESERVE; KRISTOFERSON CREEK HABITAT, ENGLISH BOOM HISTORICAL PARK:

Participants should arrive at Iverson Spit at 9:45 AM. Iverson is accessed from East Camano Drive, east on Russell Road, south on Sunrise Road to Iverson Beach Road. Look for the FOCIP Walk signs. The parking area is at the north end past the beach houses. A short level walk will include views of Port Susan and a beaver activity area and the “Hobbit Trail.” Drivers will caravan to Kristoferson Creek Habitat a short distance away, for a brief visit. The caravan of cars will then move to English Boom Historical Park. The walk at English Boom is about 1 mile in length on a marsh trail along Skagit Bay. Mt. Baker view and interpretive boards are some of the special features of this historical park.

Join FOCIP members and Backyard habitat stewards on these walks. The pace is moderate and adjusted for youngsters and adults. The walks take place rain or shine. Walks are cancelled if there is snow, extremely high winds, or lightning. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather and sturdy shoes or boots. No dogs please for the safety of the walkers.

03/28/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
April 15th, 7:00 PM

“All About Owls" by Brian Zinke

In-Person Event (free) Camano Multi-Purpose Center, 141 E Camano Drive

Cultures all around the world have revered owls for millennia, and to this day owls continue to have an allure that keeps us in awe. In Washington, we are fortunate to have 15 species of owl sharing our landscapes with us. Come learn which species we have, their fascinating ecologies, and what makes owls so unique in the bird world.
Brian Zinke is the Executive Director of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, which serves Snohomish County and Camano Island. His background as a wildlife biologist has taken him across several states where he's worked to conserve endangered species and species of concern. He is passionate about science and conservation, and enjoys hiking, backpacking, photography – and birding – in his free time.

The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts public presentations on the third Wednesday of the month. For information about the Zoom link to the program or about the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, visit www.camanowildlifehabitat.org, call 360-387-2236, or email [email protected].

03/20/2026

FOCIP WINTER WALK
SATURDAY, APR. 4th : FOUR SPRINGS LAKE PRESERVE

Meet at 9:45 AM at the parking area of Four Springs. Proceed from East or West Camano Drive and turn onto Camano Hill Road. Turn north onto Lewis Lane. A FOCIP Walk sign will designate Lewis Lane. See this beautiful preserve with a walk on the Perimeter Trail including the wetland trail. The Perimeter Trail includes two 50 ft fairly steep hills with benches for resting at the top. The distance of the walk is approximately 2 miles. Hopefully, the skunk cabbage will be in bloom! A peek at the day rental Four Spring House and Meadow Room and Barn will be
available if there is no rental scheduled that day

Join FOCIP members and Backyard habitat stewards on these walks. The pace is moderate and adjusted for youngsters and adults. The walks take place rain or shine. Walks are cancelled if there is snow, extremely high winds, or lightning. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather and sturdy shoes or boots. No dogs please for the safety of the walkers.

03/10/2026

FOCIP LITTER PICKUP SATURDAY MARCH 21st

It's springtime on Camano and time for the next FOCIP litter pickup adventure. Please meet by 9:30 AM at the Elger Bay Elementary School parking lot Saturday, March 21. We will provide safety vests, litter bags, and tongs to pick up the litter. It's important that you wear sturdy shoes/boots, appropriate clothing, and work gloves.
If we have many enthusiastic volunteers we should be done in less than 2 hours. Thanks for your help.

03/07/2026

SUPPORT ELGER BAY FOREST PRESERVE

We're at an important time in preserving one of our park gems on Camano Island. The lease for Elger Bay Forest Preserve expires in about 5 years. At that time the Preserve could revert to the control of Washington Department of Natural Resources for future logging or sold for development. Neither is acceptable to me.

Whidbey Camano Land Trust (WCLT) and Island County are leading an effort to seek funding through the Washington Trust Land program to permanently preserve Elger Bay. If this is successful, Elger Bay would be permanently protected and Island County would continue to manage the property as it does now.

You can help by adding your name in support and demonstrate strong community backing for permanently preserving Elger Bay.
Click on the link below to take you to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust website.
https://www.wclt.org/tlt/

Click on the “Sign in Support of Permanent Protection” and add your name and email under PLEASE FUND THE ELGER BAY FOREST PRESERVE.

Elger Bay Forest Preserve deserves our support.

Thank you.
Jay McFeters
FOCIP President

03/01/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Wednesday, March 18, 7 PM ZOOM Presentation
Moths – Nature’s Bounty

Enter the world of moths with David Droppers, Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM via Zoom. By providing a landscape for moths, namely their caterpillars, we're setting the dinner plate for birds and their young. But the main course is intriguing in its own right! This presentation is for the beginning moth-er! What makes moths worthy of study? How many moths are there? How do moths do battle with their feathered predators? And how do we provide a landscape to stage such a show? Droppers will describe the importance of moths, how to landscape for them, and how they benefit other wildlife. He will also highlight the records that Pam Pritzl has compiled and how others can easily get involved and make important contributions.

The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts public presentations on the third Wednesday of the month. For information about the Zoom link to the program or about the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, visit www.camanowildlifehabitat.org, call 360-387-2236, or email [email protected].

02/16/2026

MARCH WINTER WALK SATURDAY, MAR. 7th
CAMA BEACH TO CAMANO ISLAND STATE PARK

Meet at 9:45 AM at Ivy Way Trailhead off of Dry Lake Road. You can access Dry Lake Road from Elger Bay or Monticello Roads. We'll walk from the trailhead parking area to the South Beach of Camano Island State Park along the Cross Island and West Rim trails enjoying downhill and level terrains with great views. The walk is about 3.2 miles. Shuttle service will be available to return participants to the trailhead. No state park Discover Pass is required.

02/04/2026

BONUS FOCIP Winter Walk for Glass Quest:
SATURDAY, February 14th, BARNUM POINT PRESERVE

The 2026 Northwest Glass Quest runs from February 13-22 in the Camano Island and Stanwood area.
On Saturday, February 14th at 10 AM, FOCIP will conduct a guided walk of Barnum Point Preserve. Join us and maybe you will find a Clue Ball!
For those interested in going on the walk: Arrive at the Barnum Point Preserve parking lot about 9:45. The parking lot is 2.7 miles south of Highway 532 on Sunrise Blvd. The address is 278 Sunrise Blvd. The walk is about a mile and a half and should finish before noon.

If you are participating in Glass Quest, get your Kind Quester form signed here! Go to https://www.northwestglassquest.com/start-your-quest to download the app & Kind Quester form.
We wish you good fortune in the hunt!

01/24/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
February 18th, 7:00 PM PST - online via Zoom

"Plants and Landscapes to Support Pollinators"
by Brenda Cunningham, Salal Display Garden Manager

Brenda will introduce you to the most popular native plants for attracting and supporting pollinators in your home landscape. She will talk about where to find these and more unusual plants, as well as how to do some of your own propagating.
Brenda Cunningham is a biologist and artist. She has worked for the National Park Service and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. She retired as Stewardship Director for the Skagit Land Trust. She is a member of Skagit Audubon Society, former chair of the Salal Chapter of Washington Native Plant Society, and now manages the Washington Native Plant Society’s display garden in Mount Vernon.

Click here to register to attend (free)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the meeting link.

01/10/2026

FEBRUARY WINTER WALK:

SATURDAY, FEB. 7th: CAMANO RIDGE FOREST PRESERVE

Meet at 9:45 at the Camano Ridge West entrance parking lot located on Camano Ridge Road, which is accessed from either Cross Island or Camano Hill Roads. Take Cross Island Road to the west and turn south on Camano Ridge Road. Or take Camano Hill Road to the west and turn north on Camano Ridge Road. Drive about 1 mile to the parking lot that is on the east side of Camano Ridge Road. Look for the FOCIP Walk signs. A small sign marks the driveway to the parking lot.

The nearly 3.3-mile walk will include the Ridgeline, Salmon, Forest Loop, and Wetland Trail. The trails are generally level with a few short ups and downs.

The walks take place rain or shine. Walks are cancelled if there is snow, extremely high winds, or lightning. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothes for the weather and sturdy shoes or boots. No dogs please for the safety of the walkers.

12/07/2025

2026 WINTER WALKS

SATURDAY, JAN. 3rd: CAMANO ISLAND STATE PARK: Meet at 9:45 at the picnic shelter near the boat ramp. The walk includes 1 significant 100 ft. stairway climb and 2 elevation gains of about 50 ft. with the rest of the walk having some short rises and downs. The trail is 2.6 miles long with excellent views of Saratoga Passage and Elger Bay including a walk through a beautiful “fern grotto” and ravine. State Park Discover Pass is required.

Since 1995 FOCIP has hosted Winter-Spring Walks for the public on Camano Island State Parks and Island County parks trails the first Saturday of the month November through June. All walks start at 9:45 AM and are completed by noon. See the unique features of each park and hear about the history of each acquisition. Join FOCIP members and Backyard habitat stewards on these walks. The pace is moderate and adjusted for youngsters and adults. The walks take place rain or shine. Walks are cancelled if there is snow, extremely high winds, or lightning. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather and sturdy shoes or boots. No dogs please for the safety of the walkers.

Address

Stanwood, WA

Website

http://www.friendsofcamanoislandparks.org/

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