Volunteer: Creekside Maintenance and Invasive Species Control at JB Farm

JB Farm on Orcas Island is a partially forested parcel with agricultural fields that slope down to a creek that eventually empties into West Sound. Since this will only be the second volunteer event at the property since the Preservation Trust recently acquired it, we will introduce the preserve to the participants, talk about the vision and significance of the watershed, and see some of the different habitat on the property as the day progresses.

For this volunteer outing, we will focus on removing English holly and hawthorn and other invasive plants from various areas across this iconic Crow Valley property. SJPT staff, the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Island Conservation Corps crews also just partnered to put in many plants and willow cuttings by the creek that will need maintenance, so part of the work party will be dedicated to weeding, straightening tubes, and other late spring maintenance of the recent plantings so participants can learn about the restoration work already underway.

The grounds are relatively flat, but will likely be very muddy and puddled in some areas where we are working, so we highly recommend rubber boots. SJPT will supply necessary tools and some snacks, but feel free to bring your own hand clippers or other tools. Please bring your own lunch.

Orcas Island Land Steward Meghan Howard will lead and Jack Russillo, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, will support. 

Please arrange your own transportation to Orcas Island and let us know what method that will be. If you plan to walk on to the ferry, please let us know beforehand and we can carpool out to the property together. For Orcas residents, we will provide you with directions to the meet-up location prior to the event. 

• Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
• Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Location: JB Farm on Orcas Island (meet-up instructions to be emailed to registered participants)
• Bring: Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, sun protection as needed, work gloves, hand clippers and/or hand trowel (if you have them), water, lunch
• Questions? Email Jack Russillo, SJPT Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator

Please note:

This event is limited to the first 10 people who sign up. (You can join the waiting list when you sign up if capacity has been reached. If there are cancellations, we will contact the next in line as soon as possible.)

All participants are required to sign an SJPT liability waiver. Please ensure that everyone you register, including yourself, has filled out our online waiver in English or en Español (required as part of the registration process).

Todos los participantes deben firmar una exención de responsabilidad del SJPT. Asegúrese de que todas las personas que registre, incluido usted mismo, hayan completado nuestra exención en línea en inglés o en español (requerido como parte del proceso de registro).