Our annual Lands We Love Social includes a live and a silent auction that raise money for Skagit Land Trust’s conservation, stewardship, and outreach work. Our auction includes many special items and exciting, local experiences generously donated by local businesses and individuals who care about conservation. See below for a preview of this year’s auction items.
Note: Auction items are being added as they come in, so please check this page periodically for new offerings!
Live Auction Experiences
Three-Hour Puffin Tour for Two with the Salish Sea School – Value $350
You and your guest will enjoy seats on a 3-hour puffin tour on a 22′ boat with a Captain and Scientist.
With personalized attention, you’ll engage with our knowledgeable crew, who will share fascinating insights about puffins and other wildlife of the Salish Sea.
You may encounter a variety of marine life, including harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles, and possibly even orcas.
Choose from over two dozen puffin-tour dates offered before mid-September, or save the voucher for the 2027 season.
Donor: The Salish Sea School
Lopez Island Getaway
Enjoy a two-night getaway for up to four people. The rustic two-bedroom (1-queen bed, 2-twins), one-bath guest house has a full kitchen and sits atop a bluff nestled on a remote woodsy ten-acre property on the southeast corner of Lopez Island.
Lopez is the first stop on the ferry from Anacortes and is the most rural of the three major islands, covering 29.5 square miles. The landscape blends woods with rolling farmlands and open spaces with shimmering vistas. You can walk along the beaches and trails of the State and County Parks and other natural areas; go fishing, boating, kayaking, or biking; or grab a pair of binoculars and observe the ever-present wildlife. Visit the local shops and eateries, or curl up with a good book!
Available for a mutually agreeable date between June and Sept 14th, 2026.
Donor: George Lawson
Guided Boat Trip & Hike with Craig Romano
Travel by boat to wild and beautiful Cypress or Vendovi Island, where you will walk pristine beaches, visit wildflower meadows and old-growth forest groves, and hike coastal bluffs.
Learn about the history of the island with local award-winning guidebook author, photographer, and Northwest trails expert Craig Romano.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and take home a signed copy of Craig’s book Day Hiking: The San Juans and Gulf Islands.
Hike is good for a mutually agreeable date to be arranged in advance and is subject to availability, weather, and tide conditions.
Donor: Craig Romano
Half-Day Sail (for up to 4 people) from Anacortes
Set off from Anacortes on a half-day tour for four aboard the Kristian, a 38-foot Island Packet sailboat!
Keep your eyes open for whales and take in the beauty of the San Juan Islands, including Guemes and Cypress. Bring snacks and drinks of your choice to enjoy.
Donor: John Buchanan
Two Nights for Four, with Dinner, at Guemes Island Resort
Enjoy two nights for four people in the cabin of your choice at beautiful seaside Guemes Island Resort. Access to the island is by a five-minute ferry ride from Anacortes. During your stay, enjoy amenities such as a game room, barbecue, rowboat, wood-fired sauna and saltwater hot tub, and massage therapy at the conveniently located on-site studio.
On one of the evenings, Island Chef Karen Everett will spoil you with a customized four-course dinner!
Available during the quiet season from October 1, 2026 – May 31st, 2027
Donors: Guemes Island Resort, Mark & Kelly Linnemann, and Karen Everett
Boat Trip to Vendovi Island or Cypress Island
Join SLT Board President Warren Walz for a boat trip to Vendovi or Cypress Island aboard the Sea Dragon (the Helmsman 38′ Pilothouse pictured right).
The 217-acre Vendovi Island Preserve, protected by San Juan Preservation Trust, features lovely hiking trails to beautiful ocean views.
Cypress Island’s state-owned Natural Resources Conservation Area includes 5,230 acres of high quality forest, wetland and grassland communities, and tidelands.
The winner with coordinate with Warren about their chosen location and a mutually agreeable date. Note: Vendovi Island is only open for visitors 10am-6pm Thursdays-Mondays until August 31st. A trip to Cypress would be available through September 2026.
Donors: Warren and Linda Walz
Silent Auction Experiences & Items
Sign-Up Experience: Historic Art Museum Tour – August 14th, 1pm-4pm, $100 per person
Join Skagit Land Trust for a private tour of a very special property overlooking Bowman Bay.
Take in the stunning view, explore the fascinating art collection of Saul Spiro and Carol Meek, and learn from volunteer archivists who have worked with this collection for years.
Donors: Theresa Trebone, Martha Frankel, and Jane Zillig
Sign-Up Experience: Samish Island Tides, Tales, & Tidbits Tour – August 16th, $75 per person
Enjoy a Samish Island Sunday afternoon as you chase the incoming tide from Padilla Bay to Alice Bay! You’ll hang out at three different waterfront homes with Executive Director Molly Doran and SLT members Therese Ogle, Eileen Andersen, Howard & Thais Armstrong. Nibble on snacks and wet your whistle as you decide whether to enjoy a walk or two on Land Trust properties, or simply settle back and chat with friends.
Start with a cable car ride down to Therese’s on Padilla Bay, where you’ll see the tide far off in Anacortes along with one of the largest, healthiest eelgrass beds on the West Coast. Carry on to Eileen’s on Alice Bay for more snacks and stories as the tide makes its way around the island from the southeast. End your day at Howard & Thais’ beautiful waterfront garden as you wrap up a lovely summer afternoon on Samish Island.
Carpooling encouraged.
Donors: Therese Ogle, Thais & Howard Armstrong, Eileen Anderson, Molly Doran
Sign Up Experience: Dog Woods Ethnobiology Tour & Lunch – August 30th 11am-2pm, $75 per person
Spend a fun and educational afternoon at Dog Woods, a unique,120-acre restoration forest and nature preserve on Guemes Island.
Dog Woods docent and ethnobiologist Raylene McCalman will lead a guided tour of the area, bringing the landscape to life with her deep knowledge of the relationships between plants, people, and place.
Under the shade of this lovely forest, guests will enjoy a tasty sandwich-bar and sparkling drinks from island residents Sue Skillman, complete with dessert by beloved pie baker Jenny Stapp. After the tour and lunch, you may wish to extend your day out by stopping by School House Park for live music at 4pm.
Donors: Sue Skillman & Phil Fenner, Birch Beaudet & David Wertheimer
Sign Up Experience: From Acorns to Oaks – Saturday, October 10th 1-5pm, $75 per person
Join Skagit Land Trust staff for a tour of three Samish Island properties that are working to restore Garry Oak (Oregon White Oaks) habitat. Guests will have a chance to learn about these long-living, drought-tolerant trees, which are the only native oak species in Washington State. With 99% of Garry Oak habitat already lost here in the PNW, conservation organizations and private landowners are working to protect the remaining trees and reestablish groves in the region.
Guests will visit a property with 50 young sapling oaks in their first decade of life, as well as a mature grove of oaks on a private conservation easement on Williams Point. This property provides stunning views from its shoreline cliffs of Garry Oaks twisting their limbs out towards the Salish Sea, Guemes Island, and beyond. The easement features rocky bluffs, balds, and forests where the owners have been working for 15 years to support the restoration of Garry Oak habitat.
Guests will conclude their journey at Gail and Steve Hopley’s home, which features two Garry Oak trees. There, everyone will enjoy a selection of tasty appetizers and drinks, along with gourmet smores and other treats.
Donors: Gail & Steve Hopley, Esther Luttikhuizen & Brad Claypool, Landry &Susan Corkery
Fish Lake (Leavenworth Area) Cabin Stay for 2-3 Nights – Value $500-$900
This lovely cabin, overlooking Fish Lake, sits at the edge of the Wenatchee National Forest. Conveniently located between Leavenworth and Stevens Pass, November visitors may wish to take advantage of local skiiing, Christmas light displays, and holiday shopping. Spring visitors may enjoy the many pretty hikes available in the area, as well as shopping and restaurants in nearby Leavenworth. Wildflowers tend to peak in late April and early May.
The cabin has two bedrooms and one bathroom. This stay is for 4 people, but up to 4 more people can be added for $10/night/person (comfortably sleeps 6, 8 with air mattress).
The cabin is available 3 consecutive nights Sunday through Thursday, or 2 nights Friday and Saturday, during March, April, May, June, or November (excluding Thanksgiving weekend).
Donor: Kate Szurek
North Sound Scenic Tours Float Trip for Two – $300 value
Enjoy a leisurely 3-4 hour guided driftboat river float on the Skagit or Nooksack River. The motorless drift boat accommodates two guests for peaceful, educational floats focused on fly fishing 101, a naturalist tour, or eagle tours during salmon season.
Must contact by August 6th, 2026 to schedule.
Donor: North Sound Scenic Tours
Island Adventures Whale Watching Tour for Two – $279 value
Join Island Adventures for a 3-4 hour Signature Whale Watch for two aboard the Island Explorer 5 during the 2026 season, departing from beatiful Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes.
The Island Explorer 5 features a full walk around lower deck, two upper viewing decks, great sound systems, heated cabins, galley service, two restrooms, and the best crew in the area. The calm waters near the San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas! Humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales also call the region home.
Must be used this season. Expires November 2026.
Donor: Island Adventures
Anacortes Kayak Tour – $98 Value
This 1.5-hour guided kayak tour is specially designed for families with small kids, but is great for grown-ups too! Departing from Deception Pass State Park with a convenient schedule, it’s a great way to see Washington’s marine wildlife and beauty.
Must be used between May and September.
Donor: Anacortes Kayak Tours
Two-Night Stay for Two at Mountainview Studio on Fir Island – $270 value
This is an air conditioned, beautiful 650 square foot, second-story studio with spectacular views of Mt. Baker and the Olympics.
The studio features self-check-in and check-out, a level 2 EV charger, a kitchenette, microwave hotplate, coffee maker (coffee supplied), minifridge, and streaming TV.
The studio is located on Fir Island, seasonally surrounded by snow geese, trumpeter swans, bald eagles & great blue herons, within walking distance of the Skagit Wildlife Area.
Donors: Eileen Butler & Brad Furlong
Three-Night Stay at Guemes Farmhouse Apartment – $400 value
Enjoy up to 3 nights (during a single stay) at a fully-appointed studio apartment next to a farmhouse on lovely Guemes Island. The apartment has a queen-size bed, a full bathroom, and a well-appointed kitchen.
Guemes Island offers several lovely conservation areas to explore, including Skagit Land Trust-protected Kellys Point and Guemes Mountain and Valley Conservation Area. Dog Woods and San Juan Preservation Trust’s Peach Preserve are two other great places to visit.
Mutually agreed upon dates sometime before 12/31/27.
Donors: Leslie Tysseling and Lynn Prewitt
Biochar-Enhanced Compost Delivery – $508
The winner of this item receives 10 cubic yards of biochar-enhanced compost, delivered within a 30-minute drive of Skagit Soils (13260 Ball Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273).
Over its lifecycle, this material is estimated to sequester approximately 200 pounds of C02 from the atmosphere!
Donor: Skagit Soils Inc.
Handmade Cherry Wood Table
Built by one of SLT’s Board members, this beautifully crafted table will be a lovely accent to any home. Made of cherry wood, this table provides a great spot to display your favorite vase or sculpture, or keep a bowl of keys.
The table is 24″ wide and 15″ deep. The top opens to provide a small, hidden storage space.
Donor: Phil McLoud
Summer Reading Books and Tote – $132 value
A sturdy tote bag, pocket-sized planner, and four recent “must-reads” to stimulate the mind and heart as you enjoy your summer vacation!
Kutchinsky’s Egg (2025) by Serena Kutchinsky
We Will be Jaguars (2024) by Nemonte Nenquimo & Mitch Anderson
The Breath of the Gods (2025) by Simon Winchester
A Year of Living Curiously (2024) by Elizabeth Foley & Beth Coates
Donor: Watermark Book Co.
Soul of the Skagit by Christian Murillo – $50 value
Join author Christian Murillo as he explores the Skagit River Watershed through text and image. Through this book, you’ll travel with him from the top of Eldorado Peak all the way to Salish Sea — an ambitious journey he embarked upon and catalogued during the pandemic.
Donor: Seaport Books
Kelly’s Point Print by Elizabeth Ockwell
This high-quality print of a gorgeous watercolor painting by artist Elizabeth Ockwell transports you immediately to a summer’s day on Guemes Island.
Protected by Skagit Land Trust, the sensitive feeder bluff pictured here reminds the viewer of the slow pace of geological time on the island, even as the moving clouds and water convey the fleeting, effervescent quality of summer in the San Juans.
Donor: Elizabeth Ockwell
Samish Island Print by Thais Armstrong
This lovely sunset scene captures the magic of the San Juans and the elegance of great blue herons as they float along the shoreline of Samish Island. Let the beauty of this scene bring tranquility and magic to your home.
This is a high-quality print of an original painting by artist Thais Armstrong, a longtime friend of Skagit Land Trust.
Donor: Thais Armstrong
Bow Sanctuary 5-Class Pass & Swag – $117 value
This pass for five classes or sauna sessions at Bow Sanctuary will help you to relax, heal, and return to center.
Located where the Chuckanut Mountains meet the bountiful Skagit Valley, Bow Sanctuary offers yoga, sauna, massage and other body treatments, meditation, and Japanese-inspired Pacific Northwest gardens for contemplation.
Donor: Bow Sanctuary
Voucher for Two Tickets to See Salome at the Seattle Opera – $400 value
Based on the Oscar Wilde play, Salome has captivated and provoked audiences ever since it first took the stage in 1905. The story draws from biblical source material populated by a lustful king, a headstrong princess, and an uncompromising prophet, making it impossible to ignore. Layer in political intrigue, a dangerous fixation, and a dance that continues to scandalize viewers over a century later, all carried by Strauss’s legendary score, and the result is an electrifying, unforgettable production.
Eligible for 2 tickets to one performance of Salome on October 17, 23, 25*, 28, 31, 2026. Redeem this certificate by Oct. 5 to reserve your tickets.
Donor: Seattle Opera
25 Pounds of Carinsprings Local Flour, Apron, T-Shirt, and Tote Bag – $150 value
This bundle of Carinspring Mills products includes five bags of flour (5 lbs each) and a Carinsprings tote bag, T-shirt, and apron.
Carinsprings Mills is a small, local flour mill, founded in Burlington by a collaborative group of Skagit Valley farmers, bakers, and local economic leaders. Carinsprings flour is produced from nutritious soil and is free of additives.
Donor: Kathy Edris
$200 Gift Certificate to Wiggins Nursery
Whether you’ve got grand landscaping ambitions or you just want something beautiful to plant by the front door, $200 will go a long way when the selection is good. Use this generous gift certificate to purchase trees, shrubs, flowering ornamentals, conifers, or perennials at Wiggins Nursery, a family-owned business that’s been a Mount Vernon fixture for over 40 years.
Donor: Wiggins Nursery Company
Taylor Shellfish $100 Gift Certificate and Merchandise
Take a trip along scenic Chuckanut Drive to Taylor Shellfish Farms, a family owned and operated business that has been a staple of our region since the 1890s!
This generous donation package from Taylor Shellfish includes a $100 dollar gift certificate, 2 tins of Ekone smoked mussels, and a Taylor Shellfish tote bag, hat, and stickers.
Donor: Taylor Shellfish Farms
Barney Lake Trumpeter Swans Photograph by Denny Organ
This gorgeous photo of trumpeter swans in flight was taken by Samish Island-based photographer Denny Organ at Skagit Land Trust’s Barney Lake Conservation Area in Mount Vernon. Printed on metal, this lovely and local piece comes with hardware and is ready to mount on your wall.