Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor by Wendy Feltham.
Over the past several months, we’ve had the privilege of listening to community members, partners, supporters, and friends as we developed Jefferson Land Trust’s next strategic plan. More than 260 respondents shared thoughtful insights and perspectives to help sharpen our thinking and make the plan stronger. Our thanks to all those who participated!
We’re pleased to share that the Land Trust’s Board of Directors has now approved the new 2026-2030 strategic plan, and we’re preparing the final document to share next month. In the meantime, here’s a preview of what we heard from the community — and how it shaped the final result.
Community feedback featured strong consensus on several core themes. Many respondents emphasized the growing pressure on land in Jefferson County — from rising property values and development to climate-driven migration — and the importance of acting decisively to keep local forests, farms, shorelines, and wildlife habitat intact. Respondents also affirmed the value of keeping working lands working, not just protected on paper but actively stewarded in ways that support local livelihoods, food systems, and forest health.
We also heard strong support for Jefferson Land Trust’s integrated approach — linking habitat protection, farmland, working forests, community access, and organizational strength, and for our commitment to hands-on education programming. At the same time, participants encouraged us to be clear-eyed about what it takes to deliver lasting conservation: thoughtful pacing, strong partnerships, and the internal capacity to deliver programs and care for the land well over time. As a result, the final plan places greater emphasis on organizational resilience — recognizing that conservation is a long game that depends on consistency, care, and follow-through.
Community input also helped refine our language and priorities — clarifying how we use terms like “resilience,” strengthening our focus on collaboration, and being intentional about where we lead and where we partner with others who are better positioned to do certain work. The result is a plan that’s both aspirational and grounded, shaped by real-world experience and shared values.
An aerial view of the mouth of Chimacum Creek by John Gussman. Photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund program, which has provided funding to protect many properties in this area.
As we move into 2026, our strategic plan is already being put into action through ongoing and emerging work across the county. In the Chimacum Creek watershed, and in the Port Townsend and Port Ludlow areas, we’re advancing salmon habitat protection, shoreline conservation, and farmland access, and exploring new large-scale forest protection opportunities.
In the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, we’re building momentum with recent property acquisitions and another round of outreach to landowners as we prepare to apply for additional state grant funding. This work continues to stitch together habitat in the heart of Port Townsend, improving ecological diversity and connectivity, as well as ensuring non-motorized public access on Cappy’s Trails.
Elsewhere, projects are moving forward in the Snow and Salmon Creeks, Quilcene, Duckabush, and Tarboo Creek watersheds, protecting river corridors, productive farms, and forested lands — often through patient, behind-the-scenes work that takes time but delivers permanent results.
This land protection work is complemented by expanded education and stewardship efforts across the county. In the coming year, Jefferson Land Trust will continue to grow its hands-on, place-based outdoor education programming for lifelong learners and kids — including the launch of a new summer camp program that will help youth build real connection to (and the skills to care for) our protected lands and waters (more info to come; registration will open in late March). At the same time, we remain deeply committed to improving the ecological future of the preserves already in our care, from forests and open space to streams and wetlands.
Volunteers working on a trail during a Chimacum Ridge Community Forest work party.
And on Chimacum Ridge Community Forest, work continues to improve public access, including progress toward adding accessible trails out to the viewpoints and an expanded parking area, to ensure that more people can experience and enjoy this special place while protecting its ecological values. At the same time, the Community Forest is implementing carefully planned, selective forest harvests that improve long-term forest health and fire/climate resilience, while helping to grow the local wood economy by supporting small-scale mills and regional forest-based businesses.
We’re grateful to be doing this work with the support of such a thoughtful and engaged community. We look forward to sharing the full strategic plan next month, our shared conservation successes along the way — and, more importantly, to continuing to work together to protect and care for the land we all love.
