Protecting our lands and waters for generations to come

January 12, 2010

Dear Conservation Partner:

Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) is asking for your help to guide future conservation efforts on the Great
Peninsula of western Puget Sound. Please review and provide feedback on Great Peninsula Conservancy’s Draft
Conservation Plan, 2010-2015. Your input will be used to gauge community support and priorities, and will be
considered in the final revision of the Plan before it is formally adopted by Great Peninsula Conservancy’s Board of
Directors. Public comments will be accepted through February 28, 2010.

You have several options to comment on the Plan:

1. Complete an online Survey. This short survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. Follow the link from
GPC’s website, www.greatpeninsula.org.
2. Print the Word document version of the survey from the link at www.greatpeninsula.org and return it by mail to
3721 Kitsap Way, Suite 5, Bremerton, WA 98312. Alternatively, you can mail us a personal letter.
3. Email your completed survey and/or comments directly to Michael Yadrick at michael@greatpeninsula.org.
4. Provide comments to Michael Yadrick by phone at (360) 373-3500.
5. Attend an Open House on the Conservation Plan at GPC’s office on Wednesday, February 3, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m.

In the last 30 years, Great Peninsula Conservancy has protected some of the most special places in one of the most
spectacular regions of Puget Sound. This last year, GPC evaluated our Conservation Program and drafted an update
to our Conservation Plan. The purpose of the Conservation Plan is to define GPC’s conservation priorities for the
next six years and identify successful strategies for advancing those priorities. The Plan will provide clear direction
and guidance for GPC’s Board and staff to ensure we spend our limited financial and human resources wisely.

An Open House on the Conservation Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. at the GPC office in Bremerton (3721 Kitsap Way, Suite 5). You are invited to attend to learn more about
the Plan and to speak one-on-one with GPC staff about your views and support for conservation of natural habitats,
rural landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula.

Great Peninsula Conservancy values your insights and we look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Sandra Staples-Bortner
Executive Director

3721 Kitsap Way, Suite 5, Bremerton, WA 98312

(360) 373-3500 • (866) 373-3504 • info@greatpeninsula.org • www.greatpeninsula.org
 Great Peninsula Conservancy
Draft Conservation Plan, 2010-2015
Version January 5, 2010

Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
GPC Mission .......................................................................................................................... 6
Conservation Goal and Strategies .......................................................................................... 6
Conservation Initiatives ......................................................................................................... 6
Streams and Estuaries........................................................................................................ 7
Forests .............................................................................................................................. 7
Community Greenspaces ................................................................................................... 8
Conservation Partnerships..................................................................................................... 9
Outreach to Landowners ....................................................................................................... 9
GPC Capacity ....................................................................................................................... 10
Criteria for Project Selection................................................................................................ 10
Six-Year Work Plan 2010-2015 ............................................................................................. 13

Table of Maps and Figures

GPC Conservation Legacy Map............................................................................................... 4
GPC Conservation Legacy Map Key ........................................................................................ 5

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 Introduction
Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) is a non-profit land trust serving Kitsap, Mason, and
western Pierce counties on Washington’s Puget Sound. GPC protects natural lands and working
lands with high conservation values through land acquisition and conservation easements.
Working cooperatively with governments, other conservation organizations, and willing
landowners, GPC protects wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, watersheds, and public trail corridors.
With its roots in 1980, Great Peninsula Conservancy has conserved over 2,000 acres of land and
waters across the Great Peninsula. Framed by the waters of Puget Sound and Hood Canal,
GPC’s service area is uniquely situated in the Pacific Northwest, encompassing Kitsap, Mason,
and west Pierce counties. GPC aspires to protect thousands more acres for the benefit of
current and future generations.

This Conservation Plan is an update and revision to GPC’s 2003-2005 Conservation Plan. Its
purpose is to help grow GPC’s conservation program strategically and effectively in order to
tackle high priority landscapes and special conservation initiatives. The Plan will help GPC to
create a path forward for the organization to protect priority lands and waters and help make
projects competitive for funding.

The document is in accordance with Standards and Practices established by the Land Trust
Alliance. Ultimately, the Conservation Plan will provide GPC’s staff, Board of Directors and
committees with a tool to help identify and evaluate proposed projects and use our limited
resources wisely. Appropriately, a function of the Conservation Plan is to put GPC’s priorities
into a concise, understandable form that staff and the Board of Directors can communicate to
the broader community.

The Conservation Plan lays out a six-year work plan for GPC’s Conservation Program. This work
plan is subject to annual refinement based on progress in achieving Plan objectives, changing
conditions both internal and external to GPC, unexpected opportunities, and feedback from
project partners. While the work plan may change annually, it is expected that other aspects of
the plan (GPC Mission, Conservation Goal and Strategies, Initiatives, and Criteria for Project
Selection) will remain in effect throughout the six-year horizon of the Plan.

Please note that this Conservation Plan does not directly address GPC’s Stewardship or Public
Outreach Programs.

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 1 GPC Conservation Legacy MapGPC's Service Area
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Conservation Plan, 2010-2015
2 GPC Conservation Legacy Map Key Area Map Key
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 GPC Mission

Protecting forever the natural habitats, rural landscapes,

and open spaces of the Great Peninsula.

Conservation Goal and Strategies

Conservation Goal: Conserve important and threatened lands on the Great Peninsula using
the tools of voluntary, private land conservation.

Conservation Strategies:
• Focus conservation efforts on priority lands, identified by Great Peninsula Conservancy’s
Conservation Initiatives.
• Develop conservation partnerships with individuals, public agencies, tribes, community
groups, and other conservation organizations.
• Conduct outreach to landowners on options for land conservation.
• Build GPC’s capacity to be responsive to conservation opportunities.

Conservation Initiatives
Three Conservation Initiatives have been identified by staff and the Board of Directors, with
input from project partners, as high priorities for conservation.

• Streams and Estuaries

• Forests
• Community Greenspaces

In keeping with the Conservation Goal and Strategies, GPC’s Conservation Program will focus its
staff time and financial resources on these Conservation Initiatives. Many projects may be
complex, and GPC strives to create durable partnerships in the community to plan, implement,
fund, complete, and steward all conservation projects. Importantly, these partnerships
facilitate community support, creative financing, and long-term stewardship of projects in order
to achieve successful conservation outcomes.

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Streams and Estuaries
With over 250 miles of Puget Sound shoreline on the Great Peninsula, streams and estuaries
are a vital part of the region’s ecology. A water-endowed region, hundreds of estuaries and
streams dot the landscape, fed by an extensive network of springs and wetlands as one moves
up into the different watersheds. Streams and estuaries provide a multitude of important
ecosystem benefits to both humans and wildlife. While often individually small in size,
collectively, these creeks and coves have a big impact on the health of Puget Sound. Many fish,
birds, and marine life depend upon them for survival and people value them for their beauty
and natural features.

Creeks, tidelands, and lagoons are recognized as critical habitat for several threatened aquatic
species. Riparian areas and wetlands also provide flood protection and help maintain water
quality by filtering pollutants and excessive nutrients from runoff before it reaches Puget
Sound. Conservation of land adjacent to water can also provide points of public access and
opportunities for passive recreation, such as kayaking and bird watching, and other ways for
people to connect with nature.

Unveiled in 2008, the Streams and Estuaries Initiative builds on earlier successes and focuses
GPC’s energy on conserving water-related lands from tidelands to headwaters. To protect
these natural assets, GPC will actively:
• Develop partnerships with government agencies, tribes, community groups, and other
conservation organizations to protect a diverse mix of streams and estuaries with high
ecological and public benefits;
• Work with communities in conservation and restoration planning at a watershed level;
and
• Take advantage of state, federal, and private funding dedicated to wetland, coastal,
bird, and salmon restoration to protect critical fish and wildlife habitat associated with
streams and estuaries.

Forests
Great Peninsula forests are unique, complex associations of soils, creeks, a diversity of plant
and animal life, and a highly evolved group of trees, many of which attain great age, size, and
individuality. These spectacular forests provide myriad ecological services at no cost, including
clean air and water, conservation of biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. These forests are
matchless in their ability to help limit climate change, by removing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. Carefully-managed forests may also provide valuable forest products and sustain
livelihoods that are important to the local economy. Additionally, forests provide opportunities
for outdoor recreation and scenic landscapes that help sustain local communities.

Finding the right mix between forests as reservoirs of biological diversity and economic
dependence on timber extraction has not been easy to attain across the Great Peninsula.
Conflicts over forest management continue to polarize the community and have left an
unresolved legacy. However, the undisputed fact is that forests are facing extreme threat for

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conversion to residential and urban uses. Retaining these lands as working forests is the first
step toward long-term conservation of forest ecosystems. Encouraging timberland owners to
manage these lands for long-term sustainability of ecosystem health is the second step.
Launched in 2009, GPC’s Forests Initiative is still evolving. As projects are developed, they will
be designed to achieve the following objectives:
• Preserve contiguous tracts of forestland forever, contributing to local forest-based
livelihoods and enhancing conservation of biological diversity;
• Promote responsible forest management that not only supports timber production, but
also contributes to habitat enhancement and healthy watersheds; and,
• Stimulate snowballing of benefits related to forest conservation, like relief from climate
change-related impacts and improved water quality.

GPC will pursue a dual path of on-the-ground conservation and participation in public forums as
an advocate for forest conservation. Working with a variety of partners, GPC will play a lead in
finding win-win benefits for livable communities, forest biodiversity, and a healthy climate.

Community Greenspaces
Greenspaces are a community necessity, which have value beyond preservation of wildlife
habitat and neighborhood aesthetics. These lands preserve community character, rural or
urban, and may support passive recreational opportunities such as trails, picnicking, wildlife
viewing, and environmental education. Small forest enclaves, native wetlands, stream
corridors, and farm fields help to define our communities. They provide many children with
their first opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Farms feed our community’s growing
interest in buying locally-grown products. Trails and greenways attract neighbors and visitors
alike and sustain our quality of life. Conservation of community greenspaces like these can help
revitalize a neighborhood and provide a boost to the local economy.

GPC has a long history of conserving the special greenspaces in our communities from the
Indianola Greenway and Silverdale’s Clear Creek Trail to the many family-owned natural lands
we protect through conservation easements. GPC will continue to pursue protection of
community greenspaces through:
• Partnering with community groups such as the Clear Creek Task Force, Friends of Miller
Bay and the Hansville Greenway Association that act as long-term stewards for specific
tracts of land;
• Working with willing landowners throughout the Great Peninsula to protect natural
areas in an increasingly urban environment;
• Cooperating with other groups and agencies while exploring new sources of funding for
greenspace projects; and,
• Leveraging financial contributions from local communities that benefit directly from
protection of local greenspaces.

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 Conservation Partnerships
As a small organization, GPC relies heavily on strong community ties and active volunteers to
achieve our objectives. These deep community roots serve us well when we need to tap
outside expertise. With nearly 30 years of conservation accomplishments in the region, we
have access to landowners, environmental professionals, and trusted members of the
community. Additionally, our network of landowners is important to the process of recruiting
new landowner/project partners. We can expect that nurturing long-standing relationships
while collaborating with new groups will increase the pace and quality of land conservation.
GPC will build partnerships on the premise of local community engagement in conservation.
Our current and future partnerships generally break down as follows:

Core community partners and fiscal sponsorships –
Clear Creek Task Force, Friends of Miller Bay and
Hansville Greenway Association
Agency and tribal project partners – State agencies
(Department of Natural Resources and Department of
Fish and Wildlife); county governments (Kitsap, Mason,
and Pierce); tribal governments (Port Gamble S’Klallam
and Suquamish); and park districts (Key Peninsula
Metropolitan Park District and Peninsula Metropolitan
Park District)
Donors and funders
Private owners of priority lands (individuals, families,
and corporations)
Environmental and scientific experts – Agency and tribal
staff, salmon recovery coordinators, consultants, and
volunteers with expertise
Nonprofit Conservation Groups - Cascade Land
Conservancy, Capitol Land Trust, Kitsap Audubon, The
Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and
Washington Association of Land Trusts
Federal, state or regional partnerships (Pacific Coast
Joint Venture, Puget Sound Partnership, and salmon
recovery regional councils)
Potential partners - People or other entities who live,
work, and play in GPC’s service area

Outreach to Landowners
GPC has accepted many gifts of land and easements from conservation-minded landowners
that were not actively recruited by the land trust. We can expect those opportunities to
continue in the future, but it is the intent of the Conservation Plan to help GPC identify,
prioritize and pro-actively pursue lands that will achieve the mission of the land trust. Part of
this process is cultivating long-term relationships with the private owners of critical
conservation lands. Outreach by GPC staff, Board and volunteers can help educate landowners
about conservation options available to them, incentives for voluntary protection of their
property, and opportunities to sell land or ecosystem services for conservation purposes. This
outreach also provides an opportunity to learn about the landowner’s personal goals and to
connect with neighboring properties. In the end, good landowner relations are pivotal to
stewardship and management of private lands. Well-informed and committed landowners can
serve as ambassadors for Great Peninsula Conservancy, promoting good public relations and
inspiring neighbors and others to protect their lands. The first step in landowner outreach is to
stimulate someone’s interest. GPC does this in a variety of ways:

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 Articles in
Updates on GPC’s Educational Recognition
quarterly Special mailings
webpage workshops events
newsletter
Phone calls per Participation at Interviews and
Displays at Outdoor field trips
introduction by community releases to the
community events and tours
friend/neighbor forums media
Annual Monitoring
Neighborhood Participation in Community
of conservation Open houses
gatherings agency meetings presentations
properties

GPC Capacity
While the Conservation Plan provides a guide for identifying and prioritizing projects, fulfilling
GPC’s mission will partially come from successfully leveraging the strategies outlined above.
GPC’s capacity is generally characterized by our diverse Board, Committees and leadership;
professional staff and determined group of volunteers; and our network of members and
supporters that help us operate in a financially sustainable fashion. GPC has a keen focus on
certain priority lands, and we will work from our base of friends and supporters to pursue new,
durable partnerships in order to access more resources and influence decisions that affect
conservation in GPC’s service area. Continued funding will help produce a strong organization
that is better prepared to meet the legal, ethical and financial obligations associated with
protecting land in perpetuity. Leveraging partnerships is a key to success. The Conservation
Program can principally help by:
• Carefully considering the short and long-term expenses associated with undertaking a
project based on evaluation of past projects;
• Exploring new and creative ways to finance conservation and land stewardship; and,
• Pursuing and raising funds (often dedicated contributions and grants) for new
acquisitions and project stewardship.

Criteria for Project Selection

GPC’s Conservation Committee evaluates potential conservation projects based on land
protection criteria and analysis of public benefits as required by Land Trust Alliance Standards
and Practices (Standard 8) and adapted for the Great Peninsula context. These Conservation
Procedures include criteria for selecting land and easement projects that are consistent with
GPC’s mission and focus on the evaluation of the following:
• Conservation values of a potential project, including quality of native habitat,
presence of unique plants and use by different wildlife species
Land and water that supports native species, maintains natural ecological processes,
sustains air and water resources and contributes to the health and quality of life for the
communities of the Great Peninsula is of highest conservation value.

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 • Threats to the conservation values
Threats most often include activities on or near the project site that lead to degradation
of the overall environment as well as loss of conservation values unique to the site.
• Future ownership of the project
GPC chooses the appropriate protection tool to conserve properties, whether this
means the land will retain in private ownership or be owned by GPC. GPC may also
support worthy acquisition projects that will ultimately be transferred to other agencies
or organizations.
• Clearly defined role for GPC
GPC is valued and trusted as a conservation leader in communities across the Great
Peninsula, and is also valued as a conservation partner by many local agencies and
conservation groups. With a 30-year history of conservation accomplishments in the
region, GPC has access to landowners, foresters, environmental professionals, and
trusted members of the community. In addition to taking a leadership role in projects,
when appropriate, GPC will support the efforts and collaborate with other entities on
projects that meet GPC’s vision for the region.
• Selection of appropriate conservation tool
Land trusts generally conserve lands and waters through acquisition of fee simple
property or conservation easements that protect significant features of property. These
land interests may be purchased or received as a donation. GPC can also play a role as a
third party to facilitate conservation transactions between other parties. In some
circumstances, GPC may advocate for public policies that support land conservation.
• Geographical location and proximity to established conservation areas
Natural areas that connect wildlife refuges, parks, greenspaces, and working lands and
provide sufficient space for native plants and animals to move across the landscape over
time are the highest priority. Natural corridors, such as greenways and buffer areas
along streams, that serve as biological conduits and provide opportunities for trails for
people to interact with nature are also a high priority.
• Community support for the project and GPC involvement, with possibility of
partnerships
Projects that would both enhance the environment and fulfill a community need are
rated high in the selection process. Community organizations may specifically ask for
GPC’s assistance, or GPC may seek partnerships to fulfill a gap in managing or funding
projects.
• Organizational capacity to acquire and steward the property
In deciding to undertake a particular project, the Conservation Committee may weigh
other important factors such as community dynamics and project partnerships, GPC’s
capacity to move the project forward given current staffing and other obligations, and
the full range of stewardship risks associated with a property.
• Availability of funding and a realistic project budget
GPC shall develop a plan to fund the acquisition and management expenses associated
with conservation of any particular project. Assessment of the project budget is critical
to determining the feasibility of GPC pursuing a project.

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The list above generally represents the most important criteria used for selecting, ranking, and
approving/rejecting projects. Ultimately, every project GPC takes part in must be economically
feasible, account for direct and indirect costs, and provide funding for future stewardship of the
property.

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 Six-Year Work Plan 2010-2015

Strategy Page

Focus conservation on priority lands: Streams and Estuaries 14

Focus conservation on priority lands: Forests 15

Focus conservation on priority lands: Community Greenspaces 16

Develop conservation partnerships with individuals, public

agencies, tribes, community groups, and other conservation 17
organizations

Conduct outreach to landowners on options for land

18
conservation

Build GPC’s capacity to be responsive to conservation

19
opportunities

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Martha John Creek:
Initiate one new
Complete NFWF- Implement Martha
watershed or
funded conservation John Creek
shoreline
planning; pursue Conservation Project
conservation
projects as as appropriate
planning project
appropriate
Complete watershed Initiate one new Complete watershed
Gilberton Creek: or shoreline watershed or or shoreline
Focus Complete NFWF- conservation project shoreline conservation project
conservation on funded community Gilberton Creek: Gilberton Creek: started in 2012 conservation project started in 2014
priority lands: outreach; Pursue Complete acquisition Complete in-stream
funding estuary of fee title & CEs with restoration with
Streams and
acquisition & project partners project partners
Estuaries restoration with
project partners

Streams & Estuaries: Streams & Estuaries: Streams & Estuaries: Streams & Estuaries: Streams & Estuaries:
Big Beef Creek:
Pursue title or CE Complete title or CE Pursue title or CE Pursue title or CE Pursue title or CE
Complete title
acquisition in Pierce acquisition in Pierce acquisition in GPC's acquisition in GPC's acquisition in GPC's
acquisition
or Mason County or Mason County service area service area service area

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Forests: Pursue title Forests: Complete Forests: Complete

Chico Creek: Forests: Pursue title Forests: Pursue title
or CE acquisition in title or CE title or CE
Complete CE or CE acquisition in or CE acquisition in
Pierce or Mason acquisition in Pierce acquisition in GPC’s
acquisition GPC’s service area GPC’s service area
County or Mason County service area

Focus Continue to work with Kitsap County to revise Rural Wooded Incentive Program. Monitor implementation of program.
conservation on Continue to
priority lands: research ecosystem
Forests service market and
Forest Stewardship
Council certification
If and when appropriate, enter ecosystem service market and/or Forest Stewardship Council certification.

Evaluate GPC
properties for
active management

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Pursue funding for Complete Indianola

Indianola Greenway Greenway title
title acquisition acquisition

Focus Community Community Community Community

conservation on Pursue funding for Complete Hansville Greenspaces: Greenspaces: Greenspaces: Greenspaces:
priority lands: Hansville Greenway Greenway title Pursue title or CE Pursue title or CE Pursue title or CE Pursue title or CE
Community title acquisition acquisition acquisition in Pierce acquisition in GPC's acquisition in GPC's acquisition in GPC's
Greenspaces or Mason County service area service area service area
Community Community
Greenspaces: Greenspaces:
Pursue one or more Pursue one or more
donated CE donated CE
opportunity opportunity

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Contact all existing and prospective conservation partners at least once annually

Actively participate in Hood Canal & West Sound Salmon Recovery Lead Entities

Actively participate in Pacific Coast Joint Venture for Migratory Bird Conservation

Cultivate
relationships with
stakeholders of Contact and
Kitsap County’s Contact and Contact and Contact and Contact and
cultivate two new
RWIP cultivate groups in cultivate groups in cultivate groups in cultivate groups in
Develop groups in GPC's
GPC's service area GPC's service area GPC's service area GPC's service area
conservation service area to be
Cultivate partnership to be conservation to be conservation to be conservation to be conservation
partnerships conservation
with Northwest partners partners partners partners
partners
Natural Resource
Group

Continue to
strengthen
relationships with
Kitsap County staff
Continue meetings with County governments on a regular basis and expand to include community leaders
and officials; Meet
with Mason and
Pierce County staff
and/or officials

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Respond to landowner inquiries as needed. Continue to track inquiries and projects through the selection and implementation
process.
Conduct one
landowner
education
Conduct two landowner education workshops each year related to a Conservation Initiative
workshop related
Conduct to a Conservation
Outreach to Initiative
Landowners
Evaluate and revise outreach materials on GPC’s Conservation Program and Conservation Initiatives as appropriate

Support GPC's Stewardship Program as needed

Support GPC's Outreach and Education Program as needed
Share information with other groups, agencies and landowners about ecosystem service markets. Provide resources when
appropriate.

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 Strategy 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Use the expertise of volunteers to advance GPC’s Conservation Program as appropriate

Recruit Conservation Committee members as needed

Participate in community growth planning to promote conservation of priority lands

Respond to project opportunities as they arise using project selection process

Build GPC’s Secure funds for Stewardship, Monitoring and Defense Fund for each new conservation project
capacity
Identify and contact Identify and contact
two new potential two new potential
funding sources for funding sources for
priority acquisition priority acquisition Prepare and submit
projects projects Prepare and submit Prepare and submit Prepare and submit
project applications
project applications project applications project applications
to two new funding
Submit project Submit project as needed as needed as needed
sources
applications to two applications to two
new funding new funding
sources sources

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