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/

Help us save the Four Springs House!We were just informed that Island County plans on closing the Four Springs House nex...
10/06/2026

Help us save the Four Springs House!

We were just informed that Island County plans on closing the Four Springs House next year because of budget cuts. As one of the primary organizations that helped create the Four Springs Preserve over 20 years ago, we’re very concerned that this is being done with little input from the public. Public donations of over $300,000 were made to purchase, restore and furnish the house and barn so it could be enjoyed by everyone. Countless weddings, parties, and retreats have been held here over the years.
Let your Island County Commissioner know this is unacceptable! What’s next, closing the entire preserve? Go to https://www.islandcountywa.gov/226/Board-of-Island-County-Commissioners and tell them we don't want the house closed.
For a history of this wonderful preserve and venue, go to https://www.fourspringshouse.com/index.php/history-of-four-springs-preserve/

Wednesday, October 21, 7 PM— LIVE at Island County Multi-Purpose Center, 141 E. Camano Dr.Birds of Camano Islandwith Joe...
09/28/2026

Wednesday, October 21, 7 PM— LIVE at Island County Multi-Purpose Center, 141 E. Camano Dr.
Birds of Camano Island
with Joe Meche, Whatcom County bird columnist and photographer

This presentation will showcase the birds of Camano Island according to the four seasons, from spring through winter, including migratory and resident species.
Joe Meche is a writer/photographer, past president of the North Cascades Audubon Society in Bellingham, and retired builder/carpenter/cabinet maker. Joe has been watching birds for more than 70 years and captures their beauty on film and video tape to share with others. His monthly column, Beaks and Bills, has been a staple for a Bellingham paper for over 24 years with more than 250 columns published to date.

Joe will also be bringing a few of his nest boxes for sale. Cash preferred, please.

Join the FOCIP Litter Pick Up Saturday, October 10th at 9:15 AMWe meet at 9:15 at the Elger Bay Elementary School Parkin...
09/28/2026

Join the FOCIP Litter Pick Up Saturday, October 10th at 9:15 AM

We meet at 9:15 at the Elger Bay Elementary School Parking lot. Safety vests, litter bags, and litter grabbers will be supplied. With a good turnout of volunteers, we should be through in less than two hours.
Note: Island County now requires each volunteer to fill out a release form at each litter pick-up, so be prepared to fill out a form.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves. Rain or shine!

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAMWednesday, September 16, 7 PM — LIVE at Island County Multi-Purpose CenterDon't Feed the Flames: ...
08/27/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Wednesday, September 16, 7 PM — LIVE at Island County Multi-Purpose Center
Don't Feed the Flames: A Landowner's Guide To Wildfire Resiliency
— Paisley Blume, Snohomish Conservation District

Most homes that burn in a wildfire aren’t engulfed by flames - they’re ignited by drifting embers. This workshop focuses on the changes landowners can make to stop those embers in their tracks. Paisley Blume will guide participants through the essential steps of becoming a wildfire resilient property owner and explore how wildfire behaves, why climate change and human activity have intensified fire seasons, and which mitigation actions offer the greatest protection. Participants will learn actionable steps for home-hardening, creating defensible space, managing debris and vegetation, and improving forest health around the property. The Snohomish Conservation District equips communities, from rural forestlands to expanding wildland-urban edges, with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt, prepare, and recover. Participants will also learn about resources available to homesteaders, forest owners, and farmers, designed to support projects that enhance their operations and land.

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

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAMWednesday, August 19, 7 PMLiving with Beavers Enhances Habitat With Ariana Winkler, Habitat Resto...
07/25/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Wednesday, August 19, 7 PM
Living with Beavers Enhances Habitat
With Ariana Winkler, Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator, Snohomish Conservation District
Camano Multi-Purpose Center
141 E Camano Drive

While beavers can present challenges, they are invaluable for creating, protecting, and preserving fresh water and wildlife habitat. Learn about the benefits of having beavers on your property, strategies for managing beaver conflicts, and opportunities for assistance from the Snohomish Conservation District. Ariana Winkler, Living with Beavers Program Lead, will discuss beaver coexistence and the habitat benefits of beaver ponds and how she helps landowners with issues that can arise from having beavers nearby. Solutions can help landowners live peacefully alongside beavers, allowing them to continue paddling around and raising their young while reducing the impact they have on homes or infrastructure.

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

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAMWednesday, July 15, 7 PM“On the Move: The Miracle of Animal Migration”by Steve & Martha Ellis In-...
07/10/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Wednesday, July 15, 7 PM
“On the Move: The Miracle of Animal Migration”
by Steve & Martha Ellis
In-Person Event (free) Camano Multi-Purpose Center,
141 E Camano Drive

Why do some species of birds and other animals migrate and how do they find their way? Camano Island is situated so that it’s either a destination or just a stop along the way for migrating birds, mammals, fish, and even insects. Explore the compelling reasons that send creatures on journeys short and long. Learn about the fascinating science of navigation, including how they prepare for the trips and how they endure the hazards. Local naturalists and longtime Coupeville residents Steve and Martha Ellis have been leading field trips and giving talks on a wide range of natural history topics for more than 30 years.

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].

Join the FOCIP Litter Pick Up Saturday, June 13th, at 9:15 AMWe meet at 9:15 at the Elger Bay Elementary School Parking ...
06/07/2026

Join the FOCIP Litter Pick Up Saturday, June 13th, at 9:15 AM

We meet at 9:15 at the Elger Bay Elementary School Parking lot. Safety vests, litter bags, and litter grabbers will be supplied. With a good turnout of volunteers, we should be through in less than two hours.
Note: Island County now requires each volunteer to fill out a release form at each litter pick-up, so be prepared to fill out a form.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves. Rain or shine!

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAMWednesday, June 17, 7 PMProper Tree Care, No Saw Required! by Loren FuellIn-Person Event (free) C...
06/07/2026

CAMANO WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Wednesday, June 17, 7 PM
Proper Tree Care, No Saw Required! by Loren Fuell
In-Person Event (free) Camano Multi-Purpose Center,
141 E Camano Drive

Often, a slight shift in perspective is all that’s needed to resolve most tree issues! Loren Fuell, an ISA certified arborist, will talk about the importance of trees in our communities and how to make sustainable landscape decisions for the benefit of all. Learn how trees grow, function, and respond to environmental and human forces – from storms, to slopes, to topping – and the importance of consulting a certified Arborist. Together, we will work to come up with creative, conservation minded solutions to common conflicts between people, infrastructure, and trees.
Loren Fuell is an ISA Certified Arborist and owner of Mikado Tree Care. He has been working with and caring for trees in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade.

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].

A Cama Beach Update Most are aware that after the section collapse of the seawall, WA State Parks decided to close Cama’...
05/21/2026

A Cama Beach Update

Most are aware that after the section collapse of the seawall, WA State Parks decided to close Cama’s beach and shore area while the state installed the bulkhead stabilizing sacks and weathered the remaining king tide season.
Once out of the king tide cycles, the Park personnel started preparing for the spring/summer peak season, developing a strategy on how to safely reopen beach access at Cama.

The current plan is to open the day-use beach area again to public access on May 23.

For everyone’s safety and to preserve the temporary wall stabilization, a fence structure will be placed around the bulkhead sacks to prevent people from climbing on or over them. The back deck of the boat house will also remain closed off to public access with another fence structure for public safety.
Signage will also be posted. If you or your group members happen to see folks in these closed spaces or violating posted signage, please speak up or report the situation to staff.

In addition, some in-park featured interpretive programs will be started at the beach.
These programs will include an inside look at the main boathouse building with a historical presentation, opening one of the cabins for guided tours that show what a cabin looked like during the historic resort era, as well as scheduled low-tide beach walks. These are still developing these so more to come but that is a quick snapshot.

Like last year, portable toilets will be placed near the beach ADA parking spots, and limited ADA parking for visitors with mobility needs will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Our final FOCIP WALK of the ‘25/’26 seasonSATURDAY, JUNE 6th: BARNUM POINT COUNTY PARKThe newest Island County Park has ...
05/14/2026

Our final FOCIP WALK of the ‘25/’26 season
SATURDAY, JUNE 6th: BARNUM POINT COUNTY PARK

The newest Island County Park has been fully open for 7 years. The walk is about 3.3 miles. Great views, wetlands, viewing platforms and benches fill this trail experiences. A large parking lot allows for many visitors and there will be extra parking at the Island County workshop and storage areas. Three accesses to the beach exist, one down a beach road at the East end of the trail system and two more level approaches at the old inn site and the West end of the trail system at Triangle Cove. Meet at 9:45 AM at the parking area located at the end of Sunrise Road. (East Camano Road to Russell Road to Sunrise Road). Look for the FOCIP Walk signs.

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.

FOCIP WALKS WILL RESUME in November

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Stanwood, WA

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