Event emcee Sasha Summer Cousineau under the big tent at LandFest. Photos by Sara Kozak.
Dinner under the tent.
LandFest 2025 was a night to remember! On Thursday, July 24, more than 300 longtime and new supporters gathered at the beautiful Quilcene Lantern — a historic farm and event venue protected by the Land Trust — to eat, drink, dance, learn, and celebrate community-powered conservation at our annual fundraising gala.
This year’s theme was “Habitats of the Heart” — and there was a whole lot of heart in this year’s celebration. Inspiring speakers, Land Trust staff members, volunteers, local food and drink providers, musicians, and others came together to be inspired by the incredible things we’ve accomplished together since the Land Trust’s founding as a grassroots organization in 1989 — and by the vision of a resilient and beautiful future for Jefferson County we’re building together.
Through donations, ticket sales, and sponsorships, we raised $400,000 to support the farms, fish, forests, and wild places of Jefferson County — a LandFest record. Wow!
We were honored to be joined by some very special speakers for this year’s program, who inspired us with their reflections on our theme and the importance of conserving the lands that sustain us.
Cocktail hour at LandFest 2025.
Loni Greninger (Director of Culture and Vice Chair, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe) opened the evening with a blessing and inspiring remarks.
Featured speaker Scott Freeman (author, educator, forest owner, and co-founder of the Jefferson Timber Cooperative) shared about his family’s history of conservation, including the forests along Tarboo Creek that they own and manage which are protected by a Jefferson Land Trust conservation easement. Borrowing a character from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Scott introduced the “ghost of Land Trust future”: not a gloomy specter, but instead a joyful harbinger grateful for the impact that our collective efforts to protect and care for land in Jefferson County today will have on a beautiful future where forests, streams, wildlife, and people are thriving.
Delicious libations from local vendors filled our cups and bellies.
Finally, we heard from Hazel Windstorm, a local student and youth conservationist who interned with the Land Trust this past winter. Hazel spoke with eloquence beyond her years about the “second language” of plants and animals she gained from growing up in Port Townsend with a community deeply rooted in the natural world.
Land Trust staff members also took the stage to thank the community for their continued support, and share exciting updates about our latest projects and our vision for the future.
Throughout the evening, our fabulous emcee Sasha Summer Cousineau kept the crowd laughing — that is, when our mouths weren’t full of delicious dinner from family-owned Mo-Chilli BBQ, vegan and veggie options from Planted, and locally-sourced dessert from the Fireside Restaurant at the Resort at Port Ludlow.
“Best Dressed for Fest” winner Allyson sported a moss stole with matching moss-topped pumps.
We also sipped freshly-mixed cocktails from the friendly folks at Bar Car Mobile, wine from Marrowstone Vineyards, beer from Chimacum Valley Grainery, and hard cider from Finnriver Farm & Cidery.
And the fun still wasn’t over! After dinner, we kicked up our heels at a lively barn dance in the Lantern’s gorgeous, newly renovated barn. Sweater Weather String Band and veteran dance-caller David Thielk led the way as we shimmied, two-stepped, swayed, and spun our way into the twilight.
Many guests showed up in style in the “Best Dressed for Fest” tradition, sporting nature-sourced and nature-inspired headwear and accessories. Allyson Schrier’s moss “stole,” matching moss-topped shoes, and fern-bedecked hat earned her the title of “Best Dressed for Fest” and a gift card to Port Townsend restaurant Finistere. Runner-up Lindsey Wayland snagged a deluxe pie-baking kit with her beautiful headpiece topped with poppy seed-pods and elegant twigs.
“Best Dressed for Fest” runner-up Linday Wayland (right) with husband Cody
This wonderful event would not have been possible without our 35+ hardworking volunteers, who showed up in force to help direct parking, serve food, tally donations during the paddle raise, and so much more.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers, generous supporters, incredible speakers, hosts at the Quilcene Lantern, local vendors, sponsors, and everyone else who helped make LandFest 2025 a night to remember.
PS: Click here to view a slideshow with more photos from the event!
Thank you to our amazing volunteer photographer Sara Kozak for capturing all these wonderful photos.
