Spring is Here 🌱 See What We Grew Together (Plus Events, Jobs & Grants!)

Join SJICD’s Lead Pollinator Researcher, Walt Andrews, for Field Walks in collaboration with Lum Farm, Oak Knoll Farm, and San Juan County Conservation Land Bank. Learn how to add native plant diversity to your fields to support pollinator habitat while maintaining hay production. Hear key findings from the Hayland- Prairie Research project.   Event details: Lum Farm (Orcas Island): April 24 th  from 10- 11am Zylstra Lake Preserve (San Juan Island): May 2 nd  from 1- 2pm    

The San Juan Islands Conservation District seeks San Juan Island landowners interested in developing habitat restoration plots in support of native island marble butterflies. You may have seen these beautiful, yellow-flowering plots popping up around you, some of which have successfully hosted butterflies! Due largely to habitat loss, the endangered island marble butterfly has been reduced to a single-known population across San Juan Island. With only 200-500 individuals rema

Maya Virshup helping facilitate biochar burns on San Juan Island. Winter is settling over the San Juan Islands, and with it comes a moment to reflect.  We are excited to share seasonal updates, reflections, and a look ahead.  Each season’s passing is a fitting reminder of how conservation work transcends generations, and of how much we have accomplished. The brush piles burning down into biochar in the photo above were collected and built by crews of the  Youth Conservation

Yes, conservation in the winter! Get your hands in the dirt (or snow!) during this conservation "off" season. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), traditionally known for its summer programs since 2007, has expanded its offerings thank to strong community support. YCC is now seeking applicants for two Youth Conservation Corps winter programs on Lopez Island and San Juan Island. Lopez Island Winter YCC YCC is excited to enter its third year of collaboration with the Lopez Islan

The San Juan County Council approved the San Juan Islands Conservation District’s (SJICD) request to renew and increase its system of Rates and Charges after a public hearing on October 21, 2025 This decision marks an important investment in the future of conservation across the San Juan Islands. Beginning in January 2026, property owners will see a $20 per year increase in their annual bill—from $5 to $25 per parcel—that will support the District in its efforts to continuous

YCC Orcas Crew in action. The San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) has successfully concluded its 2025 summer program, providing youth ages 12–18 from Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands with hands-on conservation experience, outdoor education, and professional skill-building. Over the course of eight weeks, YCC engaged 38 local youth led by 7 experienced crew leaders in stewardship projects across San Juan County. In partnership with 22 community organizations—incl

Owners of Madrone Cellars & Cider, Amy (pictured above) and her husband, Shaun, are inviting visitors to explore their operations and...

As summer continues to bring bountiful food, fun, and friendships to the San Juan Islands, we’re excited to share the latest news and...

Hello and welcome to our summer edition! This issue of the SJICD Forestry Newsletter features a variety of timely and interesting topics....

By Youth Conservation Corps Nolan Wall, along with other Youth Conservation Corps crew members from San Juan, was pictured working on...

Lori Ann with Aurora Farms feeding her sheep. Farm Tours of the San Juans return to San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands in September and...

Hello San Juan County Farmers and Agricultural Community, Planning for the 2025 Farm Tours of the San Juans has begun – we would love...

As we step into this cozier time of year—gathering by fireplaces, sipping tea, and enjoying books—it’s also a perfect time to engage with...

Over the past 17 years, the Youth Conservation Corps has provided hundreds of local youth with meaningful opportunities to engage in...

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is excited to invite members of the public to a Grand Opening of the Spring Street...

Are you a contractor providing landscaping, handyman, forestry or construction services in San Juan County? The San Juan Islands...

The San Juan Islands Conservation District (SJICD) has a vacancy on its five-person board of supervisors and is accepting applications...

San Juan Islands Conservation District (SJICD) is excited to announce a fundraising initiative to support the Youth Conservation Corps...

Photo by Chase Anderson The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program, which is operated under the San Juan Islands Conservation District,...