Bayshore Preserve near Shelton is one of two ambassador preserves offering opportunities for connection this summer.The tide is out at Bayshore Preserve, exposing a wide mudflat dotted with the silhouettes of visitors slowly making their way back from the shore of Oakland Bay. Winding their way up the path that parallels Johns Creek, a familiar feeling takes hold. “I remember this place,” a young boy whispers to his uncle.
As citizens of the Squaxin Island Tribe, the boy, Nation, and his uncle Red Fox have deep connections to the Bayshore peninsula, an ancient alluvial fan that has served as meeting ground for both people and wildlife for countless generations. “You came here once for a field trip?” Red Fox asks as Nation nods his head in affirmation. On this June morning they are part of a different field trip, one hosted by the Indigenous Agroforestry Network, which selected Bayshore Preserve as an example of the many conservation successes that can blossom through meaningful community-based partnerships.
-
- As citizens of the Squaxin Island Tribe, (from left) Nation, Red Fox, and baby Ember have deep ties to the lands and waters of Oakland Bay.
It is a place so unique that we refer to it as an ambassador preserve. And this summer is a great time for visitors to experience it for themselves, along with CLT’s second ambassador property, Inspiring Kids Preserve near Olympia, which has yet to officially open to the public.
An Invitation for Exploration
The exemplary nature of CLT’s ambassador preserves makes them uniquely suited for connecting our local community with the lands and waters that sustain our region. With summer in full swing, now is the perfect chance to explore these special places.
Our ongoing monthly series, Second Saturdays at Bayshore, offers guided experiences based on themes like nature photography, marine ecosystems, and cultural history. As the name suggests, it takes place at Bayshore Preserve near Shelton on the second Saturday of each month now through November. This free and casually-paced event is open to people of all abilities and ages.
Forging New Paths Ahead
Our Connecting to the Land Guided Walks provide another unique opportunity for exploration of our protected lands, including the future Inspiring Kids Preserve before it officially opens to the public. Offered throughout the month of July, this series of leisurely outings provides an inside look at our long-term plans for both of our ambassador preserves. Each walk is a chance to slow down, connect with community, and experience what the land has been waiting to reveal.
Whether it is Tribal knowledge-keepers gathered to talk about modern agroforestry on ancient lands, a family wandering a trail during a Second Saturday event, or a July walk through the hush of Inspiring Kids Preserve’s mature forests, the invitation is the same: come experience how the lands we conserve can offer meaningful connection with nature and community.