Tag Archives: Quimper Wildlife Corridor

January/February Outings

A Winter Hike for the New Year

Whidbey Stones

On January 4, 2019, the Natural History Society led a winter hike at Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey Island. Named after the first European settler on Whidbey, Ebey’s Landing is comprised of state, national, and private parcels totaling 17,400 acres. We walked across fields to golden bluffs that tower above the surf, then dropped down (a bit steeply) to wander along a beautiful beach and gaze at the snowcapped Olympic Mountains.

Nereocystis luetkeana (Bull Kelp)

We took the ferry and began at the Prairie Overlook for a 5.2-mile lollipop loop-hike with about 300 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Janell at JLTnatural@saveland.org organized carpools. Non-drivers paid $5 for gas.

 

Walk the Wildlife Corridor

Male Pileated Woodpecker

On January 25, 2019, the Natural History Society guided a four-mile walk between North Beach and Middlepoint through the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC). The QWC is a conservation partnership led by Jefferson Land Trust. Lands within the corridor are owned and protected by the Land Trust, the state, county, city, and private landowners.

Licorice Ferns

According to Sarah Spaeth at the Land Trust, QWC “is important for managing storm-water and keeping our local water clean. It also creates an urban wildlife refuge that provides natural habitat and safe passage for mammals, birds, and amphibians. For Port Townsend’s growing population, it provides open space and recreational trails.” Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org provided details.

A Natural and Un-Natural History of Cappy’s Trails

On October 10, 2018, the Natural History Society led an exploration of the wild and re-wilding pathways of Cappy’s Trails in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC). We investigated Jefferson Land Trust’s flagship conservation project with Preserve Steward Kathy Darrow. She focused on how the landscape is restoring itself, with some help from Land Trust volunteers, after 100+ years of colonization.

Pileated Woodpeckers, vintage vehicles, terrestrial orchids, English holly, natural wetlands, and sewer lines are all part of this complex blend of mixed coniferous forest and 20th century human influences.

Nan at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact person for more details.

Cappy’s Trails Nature Walk

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOn February 15, 2017, JLT Land Stewards, Cheryl Wallace and Lee Merrill Join our Natural History Society and , for a winter walk through the heart of Quimper Wildlife Corridor in a special area known as Cappy’s Trails.

This was an easy walk on well maintained forested trails (approximately 3.5  miles) through mostly undeveloped land, open space, and wetlands, where the lives of people and wildlife overlap within the city of Port Townsend.

Chestnut-backed chickadee

Meeting place was the Cook Avenue Cappy’s trailhead; we parked on Elmira Street, just off Cook Avenue, about 1/2 mile from Hastings. We suggested wearing light hiking boots, dressing in layers, and bringing water, snack, binoculars, and field guides.

There was no limit to the size of the group. Lee at jltnatural@saveland.org was the contact for carpool information and other details.

A Walk in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor

On September 15, 2015, the Natural History Society joined for a walk in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor. We met at the small parking area at the end of North Jacob Miller Road, and visited the Quimper West property protected by Jefferson Land Trust. We enjoyed the ambiance of a 100-year-old lowland second-growth forest and discussed forest ecology with Dave Rugh and Chris Jones who have lived and worked in the forests of the northern Olympic Peninsula for decades.

344What trees are growing here? Which species will eventually dominate if the forest remains undisturbed by wildfire or clearcuts? What constitutes an old-growth forest? How can you evaluate the health of a forest? Participants were encouraged to bring their  ideas and questions, and together we explored the makeup of this forest.

Chris at jltnatural@saveland.org was the contact for more information.