Green Sanctuary Program
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Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Green Sanctuary Program |
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Nature Conservancy http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/washington/preserves/art6383.html Why You Should Visit: Long known to passengers aboard Washington's San Juan Islands ferries for its dramatic display of spring wildflowers, Yellow Island is among the most colorful of The Nature Conservancy's holdings. The small preserve's springtime display of floral profusion and diversity is greater than that of any other similar-sized area in the 170-island San Juan archipelago. Yellow Island is long and thin, with gravel spits at each end, a belt of evergreens across the middle and grassy meadows that overlook the two spits. Contained on this tiny piece of land are representatives of nearly all of the important floral groups of the San Juans. Located in the San Juan archipelago in Puget Sound, between Orcas and San Juan Islands. How to Prepare for Your Visit: Open year-round, you may visit Yellow Island between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please land and come ashore only at the southeast beach below the Dodd cabin. The east spit is also open to landings in the spring and fall; watch for local signage. Do not beach small boats or kayaks on the west spit. There is no camping or overnight mooring allowed. When visiting Yellow Island, please stay on the established trails. Food or beverages are not allowed on the island. Collecting of plant material is strictly forbidden. Groups of more than six people require written permission before visiting Yellow Island. To arrange for such a visit, please contact the Conservancy at at (206) 343-4344 ext 345. For more information, please see our "Preserve Visitation Guidelines" page. Directions: Yellow Island can be reached by private boat. Frequent points of departure include San Juan Island's Friday Harbor, Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island, and Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. Many people kayak to the island from Deer Harbor. What to See: Plants: More than 50 species of wildflowers, including broadleafed shooting star, hairy Indian paintbrush and brittle prickly pear cactus (the only cactus species native to Western Washington), can be found here. Many of these plants occur throughout the San Juans, but only Yellow Island, with its open fescue meadows and the absence of resident grazing animals, hosts such dense and diverse populations. Why the Conservancy Selected This Site: The grasslands on Yellow Island are nearly unique in the Puget Sound lowlands. An absence of historic grazing helped preserve the unusual diversity of native plants. This also prevented them from being overrun by non-native species. The opportunity to purchase the entire island in 1979 allowed the Conservancy to protect this fragile system. What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing: The Conservancy has carried out an extensive ecological research program on the Island since 1980. On-going studies have focused on understanding the extent and rate of invasion of the grasslands by woody species, controlling and reversing this encroachment, and developing strategies for restoring native species where they have been locally eliminated. The results of these investigations have been shared with many other organizations and agencies to help maintain and restore grasslands throughout the Puget Sound lowlands. This work is being done by Conservancy ecologists, land stewards (who live on Yellow Island eight months of the year), and numerous volunteers. These efforts have been supported by generous donations from visitors, Conservancy members, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
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