Preserves
Since its founding in 1989, the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust has been instrumental in the protection of sizeable chunks of Vashon-Maury. Permanent protection has been created for more than 1,100 acres on 26 island preserves.
Click here to go to an interactive map of Vashon-Maury Island's Parks and Natural Lands.
The purchase and protection of this land have taken many different forms, and the protection lies in several different legal statuses. The majority of the parcels were purchased by the Land Trust and then transferred to the Vashon Park District. Conservation easements on these properties between the Land Trust and the Park District ensure their permanent protection. A few of the parcels have been purchased outright by the Land Trust which continues to hold title. Many projects, including Island Center Forest and part of the Paradise Valley preserve, reside in King County Dept. of Natural Resources Open Space Program. The Land Trust also holds conservation easements on several private properties. And, a couple of very nice parcels were donated outright to the Land Trust .
Additionally, VMILT has been instrumental in the semi-permanent protection of over three thousand acres of privately held land. The Land Trust has sponsored a Forest Stewardship class for the past ten years. This class series has taught Islanders how to write a Forest Stewardship Plan which then qualifies the landowner to apply to King County for the Public Benefit Rating System program. By joining this program, property owners get a substantial property tax reduction in exchange for keeping their land in forest, agriculture, or open space.
Nature Walks / Hiking / Birding opportunities: Most of the Land Trust properties are open to the public for walking and enjoyment. At this point, trails and signage are lacking on many of the properties, although Fisher Pond, Christensen Pond, and Island Center Forest all have completed trails and currently offer excellent opportunities for walking and for birding. The Land Trust and Vashon Park District are in the process of developing management plans for the other properties. Over time, trails and informative signage will be provided on nearly all the preserves. We encourage Islanders and visitors to get out and see the properties.
The following trail maps are available to download:
Click here to download the map of Christensen Pond Trail
Click here to download the map of Fisher Pond Trail
Click here to download the map of Island Center Forest Trail System
Click here to download the map of Marjorie Stanley Forest Trail
Because these are nature preserves, we ask that a few simple rules be observed. Please stay on the trails and tread as gently on the land as possible. Please leave no trace of your presence when you leave. And, please, except in Island Center Forest, no dogs or horses: they disrupt the native wildlife.
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