“This is not for the people,” Gene Zema said. “It’s for the wildlife.”

But people will be grateful, too—grateful that Zema and his wife, Janet, have assured protection for 40 wildlife-rich acres of their Crockett Lake property by donating it to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust.

The property, at the lake’s northwest corner, includes pasture, wetlands, tidelands, brush and forest and is home to deer, otter, raptors, owls, songbirds and many native plant species.

Zema, a retired architect, was one of the designers of Gould Hall and the nuclear reactor building at the University of Washington. He also designed and operated a Japanese folk art gallery in Seattle for 30 years. Janet Zema is a member of the pioneer Denny family, although her great-grandfather came after the original Denny party landed in Seattle. She met Gene on a blind date during the last quarter of their senior year at the UW, where she majored in Far Eastern history and literature.

Whidbey Couple Donates Crockett Lake Land

Gene Zema and his kiln, built of rock found on his property. PHOTO: STEVE RAYMOND

see ‘ZEMA’ on page 2 >

— S P R I N G 2 0 0 6 N E W S L E T T E R —

The Zemas purchased 70 acres near Crockett Lake in 1983 and Zema began designing their future home, now a landmark structure of unusual planes and angles near the intersection of Engle and Fort Casey Roads. Zema built the whole thing “except for the plumbing.” Using rock left in piles by whoever originally cleared the property, Zema constructed a huge fi replace, indoor hot-tub and outdoor kiln. The residence also refl ects a strong Japanese infl uence Zema acquired during more than 60 visits to that country.

The Zemas raise peacocks, pigeons and doves on their idyllic property. They have long thought about permanently protecting some of their land. “In order to develop that piece (the donated property), all those trees would have to come down,” Zema said. “I decided no; all those are old-growth trees, the only ones left around the lake. I didn’t want to argue with any developer; that piece should be saved.”

But nobody seemed interested until the Zemas contacted the Land Trust. The Land

WA Audubon has designated Crockett Lake as an Important Bird Area. PHOTO: MARK SHEEHAN

View of Crockett Lake and the Olympic Mountains. PHOTO: MARK SHEEHAN

Trust will place a conservation easement on the property to refl ect the Zemas’ desire to protect it for wildlife and compatible “passive” recreation. The property will then be donated to the Fort Casey State Park.

Gene Zema hopes Crockett Lake someday will again be open to Puget Sound. “I can

“It’s for the wildlife.”

S P R I N G 2 0 0 6 N E W S L E T T E R

ABOUT WCLT

MISSIONThe Whidbey Camano Land Trust protects our islands’ natural habitats and rural lands in partnership with landowners and the broader community.

CONTACT INFORMATION765 Wonn RoadBarn C-201Greenbank, WA 98253(360) 222-3310 phone(360) 222-3510 faxwww.wclt.org

OFFICERSCharles ArndtPresident, Coupeville

Steve RaymondVice President, Clinton

Cary PetersonSecretary, Langley

Kathleen LandelTreasurer, Langley

BOARD MEMBERSMarty Behr, Langley Joani Boose, LangleyDavid Brown, SeattleJohn Edison, Camano IslandDale Offret, GreenbankLeigh Smith (NPS Liaison), CoupevilleMichael Thomas, Oak HarborConstance Wolfe, Coupeville

STAFFPatricia PowellExecutive Director

Lisbeth CortDirector of Outreach & Development

Cyndi FernandezOffi ce Manager

Dawn RhodesDevelopment Assistant

— P A G E 2 – S P R I N G 2 0 0 6 N E W S L E T T E R —

Old growth forest near the proposed Hoypus Hill Addition. PHOTO: MARK SHEEHAN

Deception Pass, Hoypus Hill AdditionThe Whidbey Camano Land Trust is spon-soring a request for 2006 Island County Conservation Futures funding to purchase up to 57 acres next to Deception Pass State Park. The Hoypus Hill addition will protect the park’s old-growth forest stands and allow important loop trail opportunities for non-motorized users.

If funded and acquired, the land will be designated as a Resource Recreation Area, which permits appropriate non-motorized recreational activities. Washington State Parks will own and manage the property and Island County will hold a restrictive conser-vation easement to ensure the property is always protected and accessible.

To show your support, write or email requesting that this project be funded. Send to Island County Parks; PO Box 5000; Coupeville, WA 98239 or send an email to: terria@co.island.wa.us.

Gene Zema hopes Crockett Lake someday will again be open to Puget Sound. “I can envision a viewing path for nature walks and birdwatching,” he said. Janet agreed. “I feel it should never

be developed,” she said. “It’s too rich a habitat for the plants and birds that have almost disappeared on the island. I just think it’s exciting to be part of such a donation.”

CONSERVATION FUTURES: A SMALL TAX WITH A BIG IMPACTWash ing ton S ta te c rea ted the Conservation Futures Program in the 1970s to give counties a tool to acquire lands important to the protection of open space, wetlands, natural habitats, farms and timber lands. In adopting this program, Island County funds its Conservation Futures Program by levying a property tax of 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of a home, or about $18.75 a year for a $300,000 home. Conservation Futures funds are used to acquire rights and interests in qualifying conservation lands and are administered by Island County with input from a Technical Advisory Group and a Citizens Advisory Board.

Since its enactment, the Conservation Futures Program has helped acquire more than 750 acres of high-quality shorelines, beach access, wetlands, farmland, forests, open space, and fish and wildlife habitat in Island County. Acquisitions include such notable sites as Double Bluff beach, Greenbank Farm, Swantown Lake and Ala Spit on Whidbey Island and Iverson Spit, Davis Slough Heronry and Four Springs Preserve on Camano Island. These sites not only protect critical fi sh and wildlife habitat and preserve our forests and shorelands, they also provide excellent opportunities for hiking, fi shing, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing.

ZEMA > continued from cover

— P A G E 3 – S P R I N G 2 0 0 6 N E W S L E T T E R —

BOARD SPOTLIGHT

Name: Joani Boose

Joined Board: 2004

Full-Time Whidbey Islander Since: 2000

Joani was born in Seattle. She learned to love Whidbey’s unique environment as a child when her family joined Seattle neigh-bors, the Booses, for weekends at the Boose cabin on Saratoga Passage. The cabin, the woods and the beach have been havens of renewal for both Joani and her husband, Dale, throughout their lives together. Their “Little Red Cabin” is now a permanent home and their involvement with the island community is a top priority.

A g radua te o f t he Un i ve r s i t y o f Washington’s School of Nursing, Joani enjoyed a varied career as a hospital nurse, a college instructor and a com-munity healthcare volunteer. Now she devotes her volunteer hours to the Land Trust and to the WSU Island County Beach Watchers. She and Dale raised three children and are the grandparents of seven. Their love of the island continues to blossom in these children.

“It is heartwarming for Dale and me to watch the family’s fourth generation run on the beach, hike in the woods, and sleep under the stars.” “It is an honor to work with the dedicated WCLT Board and staff as we join the community in insuring that future generations will have places to touch and enjoy nature.”

Thanks to YouWe’re grateful to the following individuals and businesses whose gifts were received from 01/15/06 – 04/15/06.

SUSTAINER $10,000+

Barbara & Wesley Brock • Elizabeth Hebert & Donald Guthrie

GUARDIAN $5,000+

James B. Denton Memorial Fund

TRAILBLAZER $1,000+

Betty Azar & Larry Harris • Len Barson & Margaret Wetherald • Ellen & Bernie Camin • Kathleen & Jeff Landel

STEWARD $500+

Robin & Judith Adams • Kenny & Susan Cohen • Carolyn M. Heck • Sue & Dale Roundy • Simon Edison Foundation, Inc. • Leigh Smith • Sylvia L. Turkington • Anne & Ken Winkes

ISLANDER $250+

Kathleen T. Albro • Linda Beeman, in honor of Suzannah Dalzell • Mary Brencick • Camano Action For a Rural Environment • Caroline Gardner • Ted & Diane Johnson • Margie & Gary Parker • Scott & Patricia Sebelsky • Peggy Taylor & Rick Ingrasci • Sue Van Etten & Dan Pedersen

ADVOCATE $100+

Herbert M. & Shirley Bridge • Robert & Penny Cabot • Jeffrey & Cheryl Christensen, in memory of Ziggy • Judith Lynne Collins • Marilyn L. Cowger • Michael de Give, in honor of Anita de Give • John & Julie Dean • Charles D. Fay • Judith Finn • Paul & Sherryl Goldfi nger • Sandra L. Hayes, in memory of Marge Hayes • Billie & Leo Jordan • Candace Jordan • Donna Keeler & Mark Varljen • Nancy Kennedy • Jean Knapp, in memory of Arne & Esther Sandal • Rebecca H. Kranz • Murray & Joan Aston • Kirk & Judith Prindle • Inge & John Roberts • Robert & Katherine Schutte • Karen & Mitchell Streicher • Richard & Linda Thomas • Michael A. Thomas • Sharon & John Vanderslice • Donna & Demetri Vasiliades • E. C. & Ruth M. Wartelle • William V. Taylor • Jacklynn A. Zorich

SUPPORTER $50+

Brian Anderson, in honor of Anita de Give • Anonymous, in honor of Anita de Give • Nancy & Al Arnold • Derek Brown & Christy Ahlstrom Brown • Ross Chapin & Deborah Koff-Chapin • Neil Colburn & Candace Culver • Gene & Dilys Coleman • Gail & Brad Dapont • Dorothy Dunson • Nancy El-Sayed • George & Janet Enzmann • Henry & Ann Gallagher • Page Gilbert-Baenen & Tom Baenen • Sally C. Goodson • Donald & Rebecca Gurka • Joan Hansen • Rob Harbour & Carol Orazem • Paul Hayes & Kim Robinson • Albert Heath • Robert Kenny & Julie Glover • John & Pat Kohlmann • Walter A. Kuciej & MaryAnn Meaney • Ann Magnano, in honor of Anita de Give • Ivan & Darlene Miller • Jane & Michael Monson • Inge & Eric Nussbaum, in

memory of Walter Newell • Carol A. Riddell • Mrs. Jean Sceva • Warren D. & Sue E. Terrell • Karen M. West, in honor of Anita de Give • Rowena Williamson, in memory of Phil Williamson

CONTRIBUTOR $35+

Gordon & Kitty Adams • Thomas & Zofi a Churchill • Pat & Richard de la Chapelle • Ann & Bob Dursch • Malcolm & Wendy Ferrier • Sharon Franzen, in memory of Daryl Franzen • Karen & Bob Grossman • Jim & Louisa Halfaker • Nancy & Otto Leuschel • Wendy Nash-Moon & John Moon • Julanne Pentecost • Todd Peterson • Mary K. Rogers • John & Candace Sheehan • Robert Stern & Dina Burstein

HAMMONS FAMILY PRESERVEA.S.E.& T. Land Surveying • Harriet Behncke & Todd Graves • Mildred K. Billig • Todd Bitts • Paul & Debbi Brainerd • Mr. & Mrs. Ervin Bray • Bruce & Juliet Carpenter • Mary Ann Cook • Linda Fauth • Gene & Tamar Felton • Michael Free & Judith Van Arnam-Free • Hal & Leslie Harber • Alice M. Harper • Anne Hartley • Homes West • Greg & Jo Hull • Jeffery Cordell • David Jones • Sally & Mervin Kayser, in honor of grandchildren Jesse & Rosalena Portillo • Sally & Mervin Kayser, in honor of Leslie Saelens’ birthday • Cathy & John Key • Colleen Lawson & Steve Mitchell • Les & Connie LeRoss • Clare McCarthy & Jefferson Ackor • Robert & Adele McGinty • Joan & David Metheny • Dianne & Steve O’Brien • Myrna Orr Twomey • Cary Peterson • Terry & Matthew Portillo • Cecilia A. Reed • Cliff & Debbie Ridgway • Robert & Beatrice Sarvis • William Shaya Romey Jr & Lorraine Olivas-Romey • Irma & Robert Smith • Blaine Sorenson & Judi Kaplan • The Star Store Inc • Waterman Family • Monte & Myra Wolff

WHIDBEY ACQUISITIONEstate of Dorothy Naas • Gene & Janet Zema • Lydia Bartholomew MD & Randal E Steckel ESQ

ADDITIONAL GIFTSAnonymous • Barbara J. Cheyney • Kathryn Christie • Anita de Give • Larry L. Fox • William L. Gilman, in memory of Loretta Gilman • Lillian Huffstetler • Kathleen Kendall • Edythe Bruce Lurie • Roger A. McCutchen • Leslie McGuire & Kathy Carr • Walter & Marie Mullikin • Linda & William Webb • Arch Whisman • Jack Wilde • Louise Wright, in honor of Anita de Give •

MATCHING GIFTSBoeing Gift Matching Program • Microsoft Matching Gifts Program

IN-KIND DONATIONSGreenbank Farms Cheese Shop • Dan Ollis/Whidbey’s Coffee • Ed Wootton, Appraiser

We have made every effort to acknowledge all our donors correctly.If we have listed any names incorrectly, we apologize. Please contact us at (360) 222-3310 with questions or corrections.

Your generosity and vision as Land Trust members have already saved precious places in Island County. If you leave a bequest through your will to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, you can be sure that your gift will give future life to a healthy and pro-tected environment on Whidbey and Camano Islands for generations to come.

765 Wonn RoadBarn C-201Greenbank, WA 98253www.wclt.org

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMAILED FROM 98253

PERMIT NO. 2

Return Service Requested

Join us out on the land and see what we’re up to as we kick off our Second Sunday Tour Series. Visit scenic land we’ve protected or will soon protect thanks to your membership gifts and donations.

All tours 2:30 – 4:00 pm.

Our Second Sunday Tours require pre-registration and are open to Whidbey Camano Land Trust members and their guests. Space is limited on all tours and early registration is encouraged. All tours are free of charge and reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your space at (360) 222-3310 o r info@wclt.org. Confirmation and directions will be provided after you make your reservation.

Second Sunday Tour Series BeginsJUNE 11Camano’s Birdland:Livingston Bay from Iverson Spit

Join invited biologist Ruth Milner on Iverson Spit, that small point of land on Camano Island that forms the south-west boundary of Livingston Bay. Washington Audubon lists this as one of the best places in the state to watch birds. With more than 125 species recorded in this habitat, tour goers are likely to see eagles, shorebirds, chickadee, blue heron, hummingbirds or thrushes at this time of year. Walk the spit, watch the birds, and hear about the

Land Trust’s project to acquire 3,300 of tidelands in this delicate habitat area.

JULY 9Sowing the Seeds:Native Plant Recovery at the Naas Preserve

Botanist Mark Sheehan, and National Park Service Resource Specialist, Leigh Smith will lead you on a behind-the-scenes look at the new Naas Natural Area Preserve on Central Whidbey. While the golden paintbrush will not be in bloom, you’ll get to see summer-blooming wildfl owers, undeveloped high bluff shore-line along Admiralty Inlet,

scenic views of the Olympic Mountains and rare remnant prairie. Tour leaders will also tell about the complexities of site restoration and the process for recovery of the endangered golden paintbrush.

Visit www.wclt.org and watch your mail for info on the last half of our Second Sunday Tour Series.

AUGUST 13Annual Member Picnic and Concurrent Tours Locations TBA

SEPTEMBER 10Final Second Sunday Tour Location TBA