Does an intact taproot being pulled from the earth bring you a special joy?

Well, does our Stew Crew have a place for you! They’re heading back out to the Judd Creek Loop to take care of newly sprouted invasives in our newest planting area, and they will welcome with open arms any and all invasive plant eradication enthusiasts.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

Looking for a Sunday afternoon excursion and love restoration?

Do we have a film for you! Join us at the Vashon Theatre for a movie about our most industrious conservation neighbors, the beavers!

Our very own Stewardship Director, Abel Eckhardt, will be joining for the Q&A portion to share his knowledge about our very own Island beavers. (Yes, we have beavers )

The glorious mix of sunshine and rain of the past few weeks is really making all of the plants happy! Unfortunately, this means that weeds are also thriving…

The Stew Crew is heading out to the Judd Creek Loop this week to revisit last year’s restoration area to handle any blackberry resprouts that are poking up beside the new plantings.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

Hey Stew Crew! 

We’re picking up where we left off last Tuesday at the Mary Matsuda Gruenewald Forest. Turns out we have more cleanup to do in preparation for this summer’s thinning project. Hope to see your smiling faces there!

 Please enter the farm via Cemetery Rd and park in the parking area near the farm gate. We will head into the planting area from there. Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9PcakxD4WEZ9ziEL8

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

Stew Crew volunteers, assemble!

We’re heading under the shady boughs for some good ole fashioned forest maintenance at the Mary Matsuda Gruenewald Forest. We have a little cleanup to do before this summer’s thinning project!

Please enter the farm via Cemetery Rd and park in the parking area near the farm gate.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

The Stew Crew is back in action at Johnson Pond, doing what they do best: tackling invasives and maintaining native plantings! Join them for a morning of fun and cathartic weed pulling.

Parking along 115th Ave SW, just N from where the Fisher Pond trail crosses the road. You’ll see the LT @ work sign next to our truck by the road

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

The best darn volunteer crew out there cordially invites you to Matsuda Farm this Tuesday! We will be battling invasive plants around the farm and having a great time while we’re at it!

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QhTBNn6iHaDNMmhi7

Please enter the farm via Cemetery Rd and park in the parking area near the farm gate. We will head into the planting area from there. 

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

Ready to spread some joy?

Well, joy and mulch. Mulch brings joy.

The Stew Crew is heading out to the Judd Creep Loop to tend to some young plantings. There are also always invasives to pull, for those who need that particular cathartic release.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

Rain or shine, it’s invasive plant battling season here at the Land Trust, and we could use some extra sets of hands!

Join the Stew Crew this Tuesday for a morning of battling invasives in our native planting areas around Matsuda Pond

Please enter the farm via Cemetery Rd and park in the parking area near the farm gate.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

Cookie crew: assemble! Spring is here, and it’s time to reclaim some of our trails from the encroaching new growth. Let’s make sure the trails are accessible and safe for our island walkers!

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

Join us for a family-friendly afternoon of storytelling in celebration of World Storytelling Day.

Once Upon a Place brings together storytellers from Vashon and beyond to share compelling stories rooted in land and its power to shape our experiences.

Featured storytellers include Michael Meade of the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation and David Turnipseed of the Puyallup Tribe’s Language Department, along with storytellers from the Vashon Heritage Museum, the Vashon Wilderness Program, and others. They will share stories from different cultures and traditions that invite listeners of all ages to experience place as an essential part of every story.

Free s’mores! Weather permitting, we’ll have marshmallows ready for roasting over the campfire, with all the fixings for a gooey treat after the program.

Hosted by the Vashon–Maury Island Land Trust in partnership with the Vashon Wilderness Program and the Vashon Heritage Museum, this gathering celebrates the idea that places matter and are worth protecting and preserving. 

We’ll make every effort to host the event outdoors by the campfire, so please dress for the weather and consider bringing a blanket or umbrella.

Tickets are free, and registering helps us get a head count for s’mores supplies! https://bit.ly/onceuponaplace

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

The annual up-potting odyssey is complete, thanks to our awesome volunteers! This week, join Adrian and the rest of the Stew Crew for some trail maintenance fun at the Judd Creek Loop. Uneven footing, erupting roots, pooling puddles: all will be addressed to keep this special trail safe and accessible. We will have work for all bodies and abilities, so if you're excited to tend trail, come on out!

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

Save the date! Our Annual Open House is March 6th. Be sure to pencil us into your First Friday plans to hear all about the Land Trust's plans for the upcoming year, and to vote for our incoming class of Board Members.

It’s time for another up-potting party with the Stew Crew! We have a bunch of bareroot trees and shrubs that need potting so they can grow big and strong for restoration projects this fall and winter. Join the crew for smiles and some quality time with your hands in the dirt!

This is a great opportunity for folks who can't do much shovel or lopper work. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

If you missed out on last week’s Stewardship Work Party, fear not! We have another week of potting up bareroot plants ahead of us! Join Keller, Adrian, and the volunteer crew for a relaxing morning of tucking these baby plants into their new homes.

This is a great opportunity for volunteer work for folks who are not able to do a lot of shovel or lopper work. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

The Lost Salmon is a poignant and inspiring film that captures the challenges facing salmon populations and highlights the hopeful ways scientists, conservationists, and communities are coming together to protect these vital species.

This film is for anyone interested in the future of salmon and the role we can play in their recovery, and offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by the stories of salmon and the people dedicated to their survival.

The evening will also include a brief introduction to the Land Trust and our restoration work in Vashon Island creeks, followed by a Q&A with Land Trust staff and local ecology experts.

This event is free and open to the public—everyone is welcome. Donations to the Land Trust will be accepted for those who wish to support our work.

It’s that time of year again! The bareroot plants we ordered for restoration work need potting up so they can grow big and strong before planting next winter.

This is a great opportunity for volunteer work for folks who are not able to do a lot of shovel or lopper work. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪

VBA volunteers partner with the Land Trust every week to help maintain and restore habitat in Paradise Valley.  They remove invasive plants, prepare new areas for planting, and plant native trees and shrubs that capture and store carbon and provide food and shelter for the whole array of local wildlife.  And they have a great time doing it together!  Come join the fun!

Meeting place: Judd Creek Loop Trail trailhead, on the east side of 111th Ave. S.W. in Paradise Valley. Parking is along the road. Note: This is not the Kneeshaw Trailhead parking lot, which is further north and on the west side of 111th. If you arrive late, follow the signs to the worksite.

Tools needed: Bring your own shovels and loppers, if possible. A few extra tools will be on hand, but bringing your own helps assure we have enough for everybody!

 Attire: Please bring your own work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are strongly recommended.

Questions? Contact Jim Evans at frangula54@gmail.com.

The Paradise Valley Preserve is the property of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust. All of the Vashon Bird Alliance’s activities on the preserve are planned out in consultation with land trust stewardship staff and in accordance with the Paradise Valley Preserve management plan.

We’ve been doing lots of planting out at the Judd Loop, but now it’s time to protect the young plants (and take care of some invasives while we’re at it!) Join Keller and Adrian this week to place blue tubes around these little saplings to protect them from rodents, ensuring they grow tall into the canopy!

Be sure to dress for the weather and bring hydration. We'll have gloves, tools, and everything else you need 🍪