“Keeping the Land Nice for Our Grandkids”

Volunteer Spotlight: Paul Johnson

You may recognize Paul Johnson (pictured above, center), a regular at Skagit Land Trust work parties. A resident of Burlington for nearly four decades, Paul joined the Skagit Land Trust community in 2019. After a long career with a small boat company called Nordic Tuggs, Paul had recently retired. With a twinkle in his eye, he remembers: “My wife told me that I needed to find something to do!”

Paul first encountered Skagit Land Trust after enrolling in the Skagit Conservation District’s Watershed Master’s program. In 2019, the program pitched in on a tree planting project at Tope Ryan Conservation Area. Paul really appreciated the Trust’s AmeriCorps volunteers, who “immediately adopted me and a few others.”

Paul soon began attending SLT work parties because they provided worthwhile opportunities to spend time outside and connect with like-minded people. He also volunteers at the Lincoln Theater and with a group called Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that responds to crises around the globe.

Over the last five years, Paul has contributed to many Skagit Land Trust work parties. He especially likes trail building and had a good time working on the Dancing Bear Trail in our Barr Creek Conservation Area. The Trust is lucky to have volunteers like Paul, who understands the importance of “keeping the land nice for our grandkids.”

Interested in volunteering for Skagit Land Trust? Go to our Volunteer page to learn more.