We Did It: Guemes Mountain Has Been Saved!

2009 UPDATE: "We did it!" That's the phrase heard from the Save Guemes Mountain campaign leaders and supporters who have succeeded in raising $2,200,000 to purchase and permanently protect the 70 acre top of Guemes Mountain.

The conservation project began in October 2007 when Skagit Land Trust and the San Juan Preservation Trust were approached by Guemes residents concerned about the mountain top being sold and developed. The two land trusts joined together to secure the 70-acre property on Guemes Island. After more than a year of due diligence, which included negotiating a $600,000 reduction in the purchase price , a capital campaign was started early in 2008. This campaign was greatly assisted by an energetic local steering committee led by four co-chairs.

Read a summary of the campaign and a listing of all those who contributed to saving Guemes Mountain.

Donations Still Needed!

• Now the hard work of stewarding the property has begun. From trail building to careful monitoring of the habitat and species on the property, there will be significant long-term stewardship costs. Click here to donate to help us in this effort.

What's Next

• Skagit Land Trust will own the property, while the San Juan Preservation Trust will hold a conservation easement on the land. Both Trusts will engage with the community to solicit input on the future management of the mountain. A first issue will be establishing a foot trail to the top of the mountain, which will be greatly helped by a neighbor of the property who has agreed to donate a trail easement. Over the coming months, we will start the scoping and planning process for a full management plan for Guemes Mountain.

Slide Show of Guemes

• View a beautiful slidehow of Guemes Mountain here.

Media

• The Skagit Valley Herald recently profiled the campaign on the front page. Read the story here.
• The Anacortes American recently covered the latest in the Guemes campaign. Read the full story here.

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  The Save Guemes Mountain campaign has been awarded a $50,000 gift from the Boeing Charitable Fund to help with stewardship and restoration on Guemes Mountain. We are honored by this partnership and gift that will help to ensure that Guemes Mountain is managed in a sustainable way.

• $200,000 matching grant awarded to Skagit Land Trust and The San Juan Preservation Trust by the Northwest Wildlife Conservation Initiative.

  This initiative of The Nature Conservancy and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation helps to conserve wildlife habitat identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. The Guemes Mountain project was selected for funding due to its high value connecting and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and the strong community involvement. This grant was formerly listed as anonymous. The grant is matching gifts to the campaign at a 1:1 rate. $44,000 of match is still available.

Pictures of Guemes Mountain

• Take a look at what you can help us save. Click on any of the pictures to see larger versions.

The above photos are taken from the top of Guemes Mountain (Steven Businger).

The above photo shows Guemes Mountain, in the center of the image, with Anacortes in the distance (John Scurlock).

Mount Baker is visible from the top of Guemes Mountain on clear days.

Guemes Mtn is in the center of the photo with Mt. Baker in the distance (Mark Linnemann).

The above photo shows Guemes Mtn. in the center and how it is buffered by WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife land and protected private property (Mark Linnemann).