One of the wonderful things about living in the Steamboat Peninsula area is the beautiful natural surroundings. Traveling to and from our homes we are treated to vistas of forests, fields, prairies, wetlands, inlets and shorelines. As we spend time in these surroundings, we become familiar with the wildlife with which we share these special places: eagles, herons, pileated woodpeckers, song birds, raccoons, frogs, salamanders, snakes, salmon and shellfish to name a few! For many of us the wildlife and the natural landscape are what make living here a special and rewarding experience.
But as the region’s human population grows, will these special places and experiences be here for future generations? Will the salmon and shellfish that have sustained the region’s people and economy for centuries remain healthy? Will the Steamboat Peninsula retain its unique character?
To meet this challenge, Capitol Land Trust and the Griffin Neighborhood Association formed the Steamboat Conservation Partnership. Supported by local landowners, families and businesses, the Steamboat Conservation Partnership will conserve the special natural areas that make the Eld and Totten Inlet watersheds so unique.
The Partnership existed for 10 years, from 2009 through mid-2019. We set ambitious goals and exceeded them to raise more than $176,000 over 10 years to support the mission of the Partnership. In 2019 the Griffin Neighborhood Association chose not to renew the agreement that enabled the Partnership.
Protected areas in our region include the Adams Cove pocket estuary on Totten Inlet, undeveloped shoreline property on Eld Inlet near Hunter Point, and the Lower Eld Inlet Preserve on Mud Bay south of Highway 101. We added 530 acres along the upper Schneider Creek Valley to lands conserved by the Wynne family. Together with the Steamboat Conservation Partnership, Capitol Land Trust worked to conserve more critical areas in our region.
Since this collaboration took effect, we have been able to protect more than 300 acres in the Steamboat Peninsula region.
-- Capitol Land Trust web page for the Steamboat Conservation Partnership Region
Mission
The mission of the Steamboat Conservation Partnership was “to conserve the rich and diverse natural landscapes of the Steamboat Peninsula region.” Capitol Land Trust and the Association agree that this natural environment provides important quality of life benefits to area residents and is essential for sustaining robust populations of native fish and wildlife.
Steamboat Peninsula
The Steamboat Peninsula region is defined as the Steamboat Peninsula in northwest Thurston County, as well as all other areas within the Eld Inlet and Totten Inlet watersheds, including the areas within the Kennedy, Schneider, Perry, and McLane creek watersheds. The priority area for focus of outreach is the portion of the region within the Griffin School District.
During the 10-year term of the Partnership, the Capitol Land Trust engaged in activities designed to conserve special natural areas in the Steamboat Peninsula region and that maintain connections between these lands through corridors useful for wildlife movement. Examples of special natural areas include marine shorelines, estuaries (including pocket estuaries), freshwater streams and riparian habitat, prairies, wetlands, and upland forests.
How the Partnership Worked
Capitol Land Trust consulted with the Association on a periodic basis to: obtain input on strategy and priorities, keep the Association informed about their progress, obtain assistance and notify neighbors about volunteer opportunities. As opportunities were identified, the Association and Land Trust worked together to develop an implementation strategy and obtain funding to implement conservation projects.
Capitol Land Trust created a Steamboat Conservation Partnership Trust Account as a segregated account dedicated to finance conservation activities within the Steamboat Peninsula region. The Land Trust is a Washington nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and contributions to the Trust Account are tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
Commencing in 2009, the Association solicited contributions for the Steamboat Conservation Partnership Trust Account with the aim of procuring at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per year for five years. In 2014, the Association and Capitol Land Trust agreed to renew our partnership for another five years.
Video presented by the Capitol Land Trust
How You Can Help
Make a Contribution Now in Any Amount
Click the "Donate Now" button to be taken to a secure page from the Capitol Land Trust where you can make an immediate contribution:
Or write a check in any amount (payable to "Capitol Land Trust") and mail directly to
Capitol Land Trust
4405 7th Ave SE, Suite 306
Lacey, WA 98503
Capitol Land Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Protect and restore natural habitat on your land. There are many ways to conserve your land. Click here for more information.
Contact Capitol Land Trust to discuss conservation options including:
- conservation easements
- donating or selling your land
- estate planning and legacy gifts
- potential tax benefits
Become a member of Capitol Land Trust and the Griffin Neighborhood Association.
For More Information
To learn more about potential benefits associated with conservation, estate planning, or the work of Capitol Land Trust contact:
The Capitol Land Trust
www.capitollandtrust.org
info@capitollandtrust.org
(360) 943-3012
The Steamboat Conservation Partnership in the News
The Olympian - July 12, 2009 - Neighborhood groups could learn from preservation
The Olympian - July 9, 2009 - Totten, Eld watersheds gain new allies
The Olympian - March 21, 2010 - Land trusts make every donated dollar count
The Olympian - June 7, 2011 - Trust adds pocket estuary on Totten Inlet
Report to Contributors - July 2011
An Update from the SCP, June 2014
The Olympian - November 6, 2014 - Wynne Family at Peace with Major Land Conservation Gift
The Steamboat Conservation Partnership on the GriffinNeighbors Blog
There's more! Click here to read all our blog articles regarding the Steamboat Conservation Partnership. Thank you for your interest.