The Foundation Board met last month to not only elect the 2026 Board Officers, but also to begin defining the work of and advertising for an intern position for the Preserve. We posted the internship position last month and received seven applications. The next step is for us to review the applications in the near future. Our interns have been transformational to our work, from mapping the diversity of the Preserve to doing critical work to measure water quality parameters in Wildcat, Lost and Chico Creeks to better understand the conditions that benefit our vital salmon runs.
The Preserve Committee met with Casey Blankenship, our first-ever intern and now a key advisor to the Board, to decide on his project priorities for 2026. It’s perfect timing since the Washington Conservation Corps completed some critical work on the Preserve in November.
In addition, Director Joe Albrecht prepared a plan for Preserve Committee members to lead monthly volunteer work parties in Hidden Valley starting later this year. Each year, detailed planning gets underway for volunteers to participate in planting and work parties on the Preserve. Volunteers plant, remove invasive plants, and do general clean-up and projects to ensure the overall health of the flora and fauna, and trails and waterways of our forestlands.
Board members Amy Lawrence and Linda Anderson-Carnahan plan to reach out to Greater Peninsula Conservancy Stewardship Director Adrian Wolf about participating in the Listen Up Collaborative to understand and document the relationship between bird songs and forest restoration/health. Additionally, Amy has begun work on Keta Legacy Foundation/Rhododendron Preserve signage along Seabeck Highway, so that it’s easier for visitors to find the Preserve.
We have so much gratitude for all our volunteer Board members, the expertise they bring, and their energy and commitment to the Foundation’s mission and vision to promote actions and foster understanding to inspire conservation from the Rhododendron Preserve to the Salish Sea region.
We hope you’ll come visit the Preserve soon – or volunteer for a planting party.
– Jeff Wirtz, Vice President