Green Cove Creek Wetlands

Green Cove Creek is located to the east of The Evergreen State College and drains directly to Eld Inlet. The Green Cove Creek watershed supports many salmonid species, including Chinook, bull trout, chum, coho, steelhead, and cutthroat, in addition to abundant native birds, amphibians and mammals.

Green Cove Creek originates in a wetland complex that was formed by depressions in the earth, with the assistance of local beavers. In 1993, the City of Olympia designated much of the Green Cove Creek wetlands as some of the best remaining habitat within city limits.

Starting in the early 2000’s, and following the donation of Ekar Preserve in 1997, Capitol Land Trust, the City of Olympia, Thurston County, and local citizens prioritized conservation of the Green Cove Creek watershed, including its headwater wetlands. This initiative was highly successful, with subsequent properties conserved by Capitol Land Trust in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Now, Capitol Land Trust has conserved over 150 acres across 8 sites in the Green Cove Creek watershed, including much of the headwater wetlands, and over 9,000 feet of Green Cove Creek shoreline.