Sustaining our region's quality of life, environmental health and economic vitality

Creating

a linked system of

publicly-owned trails,

protected marine & upland habitats,

and sustainably managed forests.

Saving Special Places

Kitsap Forest & Bay Project

is targeting 6,690 acres in five

large tracts for conservation.

This biologically rich landscape includes shorelines, tidelands, wetlands, and upland forests in the Port Gamble Bay watershed and beyond. The five tracts include:


Port Gamble Upland Block -

3316 acres

Port Gamble Shoreline Block -

564 acres, including 1.8 miles of shoreline

Hansville Block - 1784 acres

Divide Block - 664 acres

Park Expansion Block - 366 acres


Get Involved!

.

Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition invites community and business organizations from Kitsap County and greater Puget Sound to become involved.

The Coalition meets monthly to share project updates and develop strategies for advancing the Kitsap Forest & Bay Project. Contact our Coalition Chair.

Coalition Meetings

Coaltion meetings are usually held the 4th Wednesday of the month, 10 am - noon.

April 18, 2012

10 am - 12 pm

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Longhouse

31912 Little Boston Rd NE

Kingston, WA

May 23, 2012

10 am - 12 pm

Poulsbo Fire Station

911 Liberty Rd

Poulsbo, WA

June 27, 2012

10 am - 12 pm

Poulsbo Fire Station

911 Liberty Rd

Poulsbo, WA

Coalition Community Activities

April 11, 7 pm

Poulsbo City Council

April 14, 9:30 am

Daughters of the American Revolution

April 25, 7 pm

Bainbridge Island City Council

September 12, 12 pm

Kingston Rotary Club Presentation

Miller Bay Fire Station

You Can Help!

Contact Information:

Sandra Staples-Bortner

Executive Director

Great Peninsula Conservacy

.

Chairperson

Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition


360-373-3500
info@greatpeninsula.org

 

To Learn More:

Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition welcome opportunities to make presentations to community and business organizations, and to participate as an exhibitor at community events.  Please contact our Community Outreach Chair to schedule a presentation or community event particpation.

Kitsap Forest & Bay Project

Kitsap Forest & Bay Project is a community-wide effort to conserve nearly 7,000 acres of forest and 1.8 miles of shoreline on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington's Puget Sound.  With Port Gamble Bay at its heart, the land has been used to grow trees and produce lumber since 1853. 

The landowner, Pope Resources – a timber company, wants to move out of this urbanizing region at the tip of Hood Canal.  Recognizing the value of their lands for public recreation, wildlife habitat and cultural sustenance, the company has given the community an incredible opportunity to determine the land's future.

But, time is running out...the community's option to purchase the land expires in March 2013, with a possible extension to March 2014.  At that time, Pope Resources will pursue other options for disposing of its land.

Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition

Kitsap Forest & Bay Coalition is a collaboration of community and business organizations that has mobilized to advance the Kitsap Forest & Bay Project.  Working as a group and independently, Coalition Partners support efforts of the Project Principals (Kitsap County, Pope Resources, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and Suquamish Tribe) and fundraising leader (Forterra) to conserve the land. 

The Coalition's task is to: rally community support, help advance public and private funding efforts, integrate community voices into the conservation strategy, and participate in long-term land stewardship.


A Treasure for all Generations

Conservation of Kitsap Forest & Bay Project lands will help sustain our region's quality of life, envirnomental health, and economic vitality in myriad ways.

Preserve open space for public use and enjoyment


Protect Port Gamble Bay and its watershed

Preserve healthy Puget Sound shorelines

Protect our water quality and supply


Conserve wildlife habitat

Provide the economic benefits of a multi-use community forest and eco-recreation hub


Coalition Partners

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Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy)
Great Peninsula Conservancy
Hansville Greenway Association
Hood Canal Environmental Council

Hood Canal Coordinating Council
Kitsap Audubon Society
Kitsap Citizens for Responsible Planning
Kitsap Conservation Voters
Kitsap County
Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau
North Kitsap Trails Association

Pope Resources / Olympic Property Group
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe

Puget Sound Partnership
Suquamish Tribe
Sustainable Kitsap

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
West Sound Conservation Council

WSU Kitsap County Extension

.

And your group to our list!

 

 


Kitsap Forest & Bay Project in the news:

Shoreline Money Is In, Purchase On Hold – North Kitsap Herald – Richard Walker – April 27, 2012
Bay Project Forages for Funds – North Kitsap Herald – Megan Stephenson – April 27, 2012
Governor Gregoire Gives Kitsap Forest & Bay Conservation Effort a Big Boost – Inside Bainbridge – Julie Hall – April 8, 2012
Kitsap Peninsula Site of Puget Sound's Biggest Conservation Opportunity – Inside Bainbridge – Julie Hall – March 26, 2012
Kitsap Forest & Bay Project: So close, but still so far to go – North Kitsap Herald – Richard Walker – March 16, 2012
Port Gamble Clean Up Might Benefit in Olympia Budgets - Kitsap Sun - John Stang - March 11, 2012
Passage of forest tax bill in Olympia keeps effort to protect NK land on track - Kitsap Sun - Christopher Dunagan - March 7, 2012
Commissioner's Corner - Rob Gelder - March 6, 2012

Pieces coming together for Kitsap Forest & Bay

Kitsap Sun - Watching Our Waterways - Chris Dunagan - Dec 31, 2011

Clock’s Ticking On Innovative Land Deal Near Seattle
KUOW - Ashley Ahearn - Dec 29, 2011

Field Notes: 7,000 acres for sale in Seattle's backyard

KUOW – Dec 12, 2011

Land conservation effort is challengeing but exciting

Kingston Community News – Jeromy Sullivan– Nov 23, 2011

North Kitsap forestland deal could protect 7,000 acres

Kitsap Sun - Oct 19, 2011

Can We Protect & Conserve 7,000 Acres of Prime Forestland in North Kitsap?

Out and About in North Kitsap - County Commissioner Rob Gelder - Oct 2011

Conservation Group Given Chance to Buy Port Gamble Forestlands

The Seattle Times - Oct 19, 2011

Fundraising Begins: Conservancy and Pope Resources Unveil Option Agreement on 7,000 acres in North Kitsap

North Kitsap Herald - Oct 19, 2011