Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island for sale


	Lopez Island	Orcas Island	Visitor's Guide

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ORCAS ISLAND

Preservation Trust and Land Bank held dedication ceremony
for Turtleback Mountain Preserve last Saturday

(Left to Right) San Juan County Land Bank Commissioner Nancy Greene, San Juan Preservation Trust Director Tim Seifert, Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann and Preservation Trust board president Mary Riveland at Saturday’s dedication ceremony of the new Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island.
Photo contributed by San Juan Preservation Trust

posted 07/09/2007
A dedication ceremony was held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7 for the largest land preservation project in San Juan County history - Turtleback Mountain. The $18.5 million purchase was the result of an intense six-month fundraising campaign and was the largest fundraising campaign in San Juan County history. The Land Bank now owns and manages the 1,578-acre Turtleback Mountain conservation area, while the Preservation Trust holds a conservation easement to ensure it remains in its natural state and publicly accessible in perpetuity.

San Juan Islander reporters were on Orcas Island covering the Historical Days parade and happened to hear about the ceremony. Thinking we had overlooked a press release, we attempted to find the site of what we assumed would be a community celebration. It turned out the ceremony had not been publicized because of concerns that "thousands of people" might show up. Instead some donors had been invited to attend, according to Sven Haarhoff, director of Charitable Giving for The San Juan Preservation Trust.

The county Council approved the Land Bank's bonding in order to help fund the purchase.

The Land Bank, The Trust for Public Land, and The San Juan Preservation Trust worked together to make the purchase happen. More than 2,000 donors from throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond responded to the appeal. As part of the campaign, a $1 million stewardship fund was raised to build trails and support the long-term management of the property.

Turtleback serves as a recreational resource. Its high meadows and rocky ledges provide unparalleled views of the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. There are ample opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and nature observation. The Preserve is open to foot-traffic only. In addition, no fires, camping, or hunting are allowed; dogs must be leashed; take nothing and leave no trace. With many neighbors living near the trailheads, visitors are asked to respect private property boundaries.

Turtleback Mt. campaign a success

posted 11/15/2006
A partnership of conservation organizations that includes the San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land and the San Juan County Land Bank has successfully purchased Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island, one of the largest and most familiar properties in the San Juan Islands.

"This is a realization of a community dream," said Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust. "Turtleback Mountain will be a gift from our generation to those that will follow."

The acquisition, the result of a six month, $18.5 million fundraising campaign, ensures that the mountain will remain an undeveloped conservation area accessible to the public.

This $18.5 million effort represents the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken in San Juan County. More than 1,500 donors from throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond responded to the appeal. Local schools, social groups and businesses sponsored special events and promotions for Turtleback, and an outdoor rally held in September at the base of the mountain is believed to be the single largest community gathering ever in the San Juan Islands.

A Turtleback-inspired cartoon was created for the campaign by Gary Larson, creator of "The Far Side" comic strip, and was used to expand interest beyond the islands.

San Juan County Land Bank, a public agency, contributed $10 million to the project by bonding against future revenues. San Juan Preservation Trust contributed $1 million, and with The Trust for Public Land raised the remaining funds from private sources. The Land Bank will own and manage the 1,578-acre Turtleback Mountain conservation area, while the Preservation Trust will hold a conservation easement to ensure it remains in its natural state and publicly accessible in perpetuity. As part of the campaign, a $1 million stewardship fund was raised to build trails and support the long-term management of the property.

Visible from throughout the islands, the mountain is especially well-known for providing dramatic views over the San Juan archipelago, the Canadian Gulf Islands, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and numerous waterways in between.

"Turtleback Mountain now becomes public land that will be available to all of us," said Lincoln Bormann, director of the San Juan County Land Bank. "The Land Bank will be seeking input from the public regarding use and management of the property. Until hiking trails can be constructed, the existing logging roads will provide visitors with access to the mountain." Bormann added that the property will be open officially for pedestrian access as soon as parking has been designated and signage installed in approximately two weeks.

The 1,578-acre Turtleback Mountain property was assembled by Norton Clapp, benefactor of the Seattle-based Medina Foundation, starting in the 1950s. Upon his death in 1995, the property was granted to the Foundation, which put the property up for sale in August of 2005 to support its philanthropic work. The property had been actively pursued by residential and private resort developers before an agreement was reached with conservation interests to acquire the property.

"This is a milestone for land conservation," noted Roger Hoesterey, northwest regional director for The Trust for Public Land. "By permanently protecting Turtleback, we have made a tremendous contribution to the health and identity of the entire Puget Sound region."

For more information about the project, including a campaign re-cap, public access details, and future plans for the mountain, please visit www.saveturtleback.com.

Land Bank Commission nixes plans for
affordable housing on Turtleback Mtn. property

posted 11/06/2006
Plans to include sites for up to 24 affordable homes on land on the edge of the 1,578-acre Turtleback Mountain property have been dropped after the San Juan County Land Bank Commissioners became "less and less comfortable with the deal." Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann said, "The deal was enormously complicated."

Director Bormann said affordable housing is not in the Land Bank's mandate but the purchase and Conservation Easement (with the affordable housing provision included) was within the Land Bank's mandate. The commissioners were worried about the public's perception and believed it would be easy for the public to be confused about what role the Land Bank was playing.

Land Bank Commissioner Gene Knapp said the idea was dropped because it violated the Land Bank's mandate.

With the Land Bank backing out of the affordable housing part of the deal, the San Juan Preservation Trust had to figure out how to deal with the loss of a $500,000 donation which was tied to the affordable housing idea. As of November 3, $18,325,000 of the $18.5 million goal has been committed by private and public sources.

OPAL and the donor are now working together toward the purchase of land elsewhere on Orcas Island for the development of permanently affordable homes.

"The island community gets a spectacular new nature preserve open to the public, and OPAL gets new resources to carry out its mission," said Tim Seifert, executive director of the Preservation Trust. "We’re pleased that the success of the Turtleback campaign may generate more affordable housing opportunities for Orcas Island."

"The Turtleback Campaign introduced OPAL and the growing need for affordable housing to a host of people who love Orcas Island and our community," said Lisa Byers, executive director of OPAL. "With new support and potential funding sources to provide much needed land for housing, we are now actively seeking an alternative site for a future cluster of permanently affordable homes."

Campaign Update The San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank are partners in the effort to purchase and successfully protect Turtleback Mountain. The goal for the Campaign to Save Turtleback is $18.5 million. Turtleback’s purchase price is $17 million, and the partnership seeks to raise an additional $1.5 million for trail building, site restoration work, long-term stewardship of the property, and transaction costs. As of November 3, $18,325,000 has been committed by private and public sources.

To learn more about the project, visit www.saveturtleback.com. To learn more about OPAL Community Land trust, visit www.opalclt.org.

Less than $1 million needed to buy Turtleback Mt.

posted 10/17/2006
The November 15th deadline to purchase Turtleback Mountain is less than one month away, and the San Juan Preservation Trust, along with its conservation partners - The San Juan County Land Bank and The Trust for Public Land - have about $747,000 left to raise to reach the $18.5 million goal.

According to Sven Haarhoff, director of Development & Outreach, "Of the utmost importance over the next few weeks is bringing in the outstanding pledges needed to purchase the mountain on November 15th. The Preservation Trust is asking supporters who have indicated that they will make their contributions before the deadline to send them in by November 6th as these funds are needed to close the Turtleback deal next month." Contributions can be sent to:

The San Juan Preservation Trust
Box 327
Lopez Island WA 98261

Rally a success, $200K raised

posted 09/13/2006
On Saturday evening (Sept. 9, 2006), more than 1,200 people gathered in the shadow of Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island to rally support for the conservation of the 1,578-acre property.

"The Rally for Turtleback was an incredible success," said Sven Haarhoff of the San Juan Preservation Trust. "More than 1,200 enthusiastic, community and conservation-minded people attended the event and contributed about $200,000 to the campaign to save Turtleback from subdivision and development."

A dollar-for-dollar matching grant from a Stuart Island family doubles the amount raised to $400,000.

"We were thrilled by the turnout, the outpouring of community support, and the generosity of the businesses, families, and individuals who helped stage the Rally," said Jonathan White, a San Juan Preservation Trust trustee and chief organizer of the event.

More than 100 volunteers helped stage the rally which was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Coffelt Farm in Orcas Island’s Crow Valley. Local island establishments provided salmon, burgers, salad greens, vegetarian plates, deserts, beverages, and more for a delicious country barbeque.

Musical entertainment was provided by Martin Lund’s "Orcastra" which includes The Olga Symphony; singer-guitarist Gene Nery; Orcas Idol winner Jenole Peacock; singer-songwriter Mandy Troxel, and others.

An art auction featuring Turtleback Mountain-inspired works by popular local artists, including Peter Fisher, Shawna Franklin, James Hardman, Frank Loudin, Crow Valley Pottery, David Ridgway, and others was held. In addition, The Complete Far Side limited-edition book and lithograph set containing every Far Side cartoon ever syndicated and a limited-edition lithograph print, both signed by Gary Larson, were auctioned. Michael Rivkin, artist and co-owner of Crow Valley Pottery, served as auctioneer.

$3 million still needed by Nov. 15

posted 09/13/2006
To conserve Turtleback Mountain, the partnership of conservation organizations - San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank - still must raise $3 million by November 15, 2006, the deadline for purchasing the property from the Medina Foundation, a Seattle-based philanthropic organization. The goal for the Campaign to Save Turtleback is $18.5 million. To date, $15.5 million have been committed from private and public sources, including $10 million from the San Juan County Land Bank.

Checks may be mailed to the San Juan Preservation Trust, Box 327, Lopez Island, WA 98261, or credit card gifts may be made over the phone by calling the Preservation Trust office at (360) 468-3202. To donate online, or to learn more about the project, visit www.saveturtleback.com.

About the San Juan Preservation Trust Founded in 1979, the San Juan Preservation Trust (www.sjpt.org) is a private, non-profit land trust dedicated to helping people conserve land in the San Juan archipelago. The organization has permanently protected over 200 properties, 22 miles of shoreline, and 10,000 acres on 17 islands, including land now managed as public parks, private nature preserves, and working farms and forests.

About The Trust for Public Land The Trust for Public Land (www.tpl.org) is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Through its Puget Sound Shorelines Program, TPL is working to double the amount of shoreline protected as parks and natural areas in the next 15-20 years.

About The San Juan County Land Bank The San Juan County Land Bank (www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank) was created by citizen vote in 1990 to help preserve the unique natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Since its inception, the Land Bank has protected over 3,000 acres of land, including picturesque shorelines and ridges, historical buildings and working farmlands. This public program is funded by a one percent real estate transfer tax paid for by purchasers of property in San Juan County

Stuart Islanders offer $1 million matching grant for Turtleback Mt. Campaign

Deadline to raise entire $18.5 million is Nov. 15

posted 08/31/2006
A Stuart Island family has offered to match every individual donation made to the Campaign to Save Turtleback for up to one million dollars. This means that each dollar donated will earn an additional dollar from the matching grant.

"Turtleback Mountain means a great deal to our family and to the entire island community," said Sue Cooley and Bob Cooley-Gilliom, Stuart Islanders and longtime supporters of the San Juan Preservation Trust. "We will contribute a one-to-one match for all contributions made to the Turtleback campaign during this final push to raise the funding required for purchase. This "challenge" grant, up to a total of one million dollars, gives everyone a chance to double the impact of their own contribution. The $25 donation becomes $50, the $100 donation becomes $200, and so on. We need everyone - from large donor to small - to save Turtleback and make it accessible to all of us."

"We are humbled by this extremely generous challenge grant," said Tim Seifert, Executive Director of the San Juan Preservation Trust "It will go a long way to helping us reach our $18.5 million goal by November 15, 2006. This campaign presents a tremendous opportunity to permanently conserve a spectacular property for public enjoyment, and we hope this match will encourage everyone in our community to lend support."

Qualifying donations include new gifts made to the campaign and payable before the November 15, 2006 deadline.

Campaign Goal The San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank are partners in the effort to purchase and successfully protect the property.

The goal for the Campaign to Save Turtleback is $18.5 million. Turtleback's purchase price is $17 million, and the partnership seeks to raise an additional $1.5 million for trail building, site restoration work, long-term stewardship of the property, and transaction costs. As of August 25, $14,473,600 has been committed by private and public sources, not including this $1 million matching grant. Commitments include $10 million from the San Juan County Land Bank and $1 million from the San Juan Preservation Trust.

Rally for Turtleback set for Sept 9 on Orcas Island

Saving Turtleback Mountain Requires Raising $5.3 Million Dollars by November 15

posted 08/10/2006
The San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank today announced that they will hold the "Rally for Turtleback Mountain" from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2006 on the Coffelt Farm in Orcas Island’s Crow Valley.

The rally is part of the Campaign to Save Turtleback Mountain from development and provide the public with access to its many treasures. "We invite island residents and visitors alike to rally in support of conserving Turtleback Mountain for current and future generations," said Jonathan White, San Juan Preservation Trust trustee and member of the Campaign to Save Turtleback Steering Committee. "A land conservation project as important as Turtleback requires the support of the entire community. So, we encourage everyone who loves the magnificent beauty of the San Juan Islands to join us for this exciting event."

Rally Ticket Sales
Tickets are $15 for adults (includes one glass of wine), $12 for youths (ages 8-20), and free for children under eight. All tickets include food, and may be purchased throughout the islands and in Seattle beginning August 16 at the following locations:

ORCAS ISLAND:

Darvill’s Bookstore (376-2135)

SAN JUAN ISLAND:

Griffin Bay Bookstore (378-5511);

San Juan Preservation Trust office (378-2461);

The San Juan County Land Bank office (378-4402).

LOPEZ ISLAND:

Blossom Organic Grocery (468-2204);

San Juan Preservation Trust Headquarters (468-3202).

SHAW ISLAND:

Shaw General Store (468-2288)

ANACORTES:

Watermark Book Company (360-293-4277)

SEATTLE:

Elliott Bay Book Company (206-624-6600);

The Trust for Public Land’s Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Office at 1011 Western Ave., Suite 605.

Country Barbeque, Music, and Art Auction

Local island establishments will provide salmon, hamburgers, salad greens, vegetarian plates, deserts, beverages, and more for a country barbeque.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Martin Lund’s "Orcastra," which includes The Olga Symphony; singer-guitarist Gene Nery; Orcas Idol winner Jenole Peacock; singer-songwriter Mandy Troxel, and other surprise guests.

$5.3 Million Left to Raise to Save Turtleback

To conserve the mountain, the partnership of conservation organizations still must raise $5.3 million by November of this year – the deadline for purchasing the property from the Medina Foundation, a Seattle-based philanthropic organization. The goal for the Campaign to Save Turtleback is $18.5 million. Turtleback’s purchase price is $17 million, and the partnership seeks to raise an additional $1.5 million for trail building, site restoration work, long-term stewardship of the property, and transaction costs. To date, $13.2 million have been committed from private and public sources, including $10 million from the San Juan County Land Bank.

A Conservation Priority For several decades, Turtleback has been considered the most significant unprotected property in the San Juan Islands. With native grasslands, Garry oak savannah habitat, an unusually large mixed-species forest (including old growth), ancient European markers and possible Native American cultural sites, high public recreation potential, important hydrological (surface, groundwater, and marine) influences, and an expansive undeveloped ridgeline visible from throughout the islands, Turtleback is a signature wild landscape within our rapidly-changing archipelago.

Partnership to protect Turtleback Mountain names steering committee

$6 million needs to be raised by November 15

posted 07/20/2006
Thirty-two community leaders have volunteered to serve on the steering committee for the Campaign to Protect Turtleback Mountain according to the San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank.

To purchase and successfully protect the mountain, this partnership of conservation organizations must raise $6 million by November 15, 2006 – the deadline for purchasing the property from the Medina Foundation, a Seattle-based philanthropic organization.

"We are grateful to each of our steering committee members for their keen interest in protecting Turtleback Mountain, and for their willingness to help us raise the millions of dollars it will take to protect this spectacular property from development, and to open its gates to the public," said Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust.

"A land conservation project as important as Turtleback requires the time, special talents, experience, knowledge, and energy of many dedicated people," added Roger Hoesterey, northwest regional director of The Trust for Public Land. "This dedicated team, along with the support of the community, will help us save Turtleback."

To save the mountain from development and provide the public with access to its many treasures, the partnership still must raise $6 million by November 15, 2006.

"Some islanders think that we have already protected the mountain, but that’s not the case," explained Mary Riveland, co-chair of the newly named steering committee. "We are working night and day to raise the $6 million needed to close this deal in November. There’s a long way to go and a short time to get there."

The goal for the Campaign to Save Turtleback is $18.5 million. Turtleback’s purchase price is $17 million, and the partnership seeks to raise an additional $1.5 million for trail building, site restoration work, long-term stewardship of the property, and transaction costs. To date, $12.5 million have been committed from private and public sources, including $10 million from the San Juan County Land Bank.

For several decades, Turtleback has been considered the most significant unprotected property in the San Juan Islands. With native grasslands, Garry oak savannah habitat, an unusually large mixed-species forest (including old growth), ancient European markers and possible Native American cultural sites, high public recreation potential, important hydrological (surface, groundwater, and marine) influences, and an expansive undeveloped ridgeline visible from throughout the islands, Turtleback is a signature wild landscape within our rapidly-changing archipelago.

Turtleback Campaign Steering Committee:

Mary Riveland, co-chair and trustee of the San Juan Preservation Trust
Martha Wyckoff, co-chair and board member of The Trust for Public Land
Rachel Adams;
Chris and Cynthia Bayley;
Frank Bayley,
Tom Cowan;
Peter Evans;
Malcolm Goodfellow;
Pete Helsell;
Bob Henigson;
Tom Hughes;
Gary Larson and Toni Carmichael; Bob Lundeen;
Steve McKeon;
Jay Neukom;
Tom and Sally Reeve;
Winifred Rhodes;
Slim and Mimi Sommerville,
Tad and Jeanne Sommerville;
The Youngren Family (Eric & Dacia & Jim and Kathy);
Howard Wright and Kate Janeway;
Jonathan White;
Fred Whitridge;
Lisa Wolford.

Land Bank plans to use bonds to pay for Turtleback Mtn.

posted 07/11/2006
San Juan County Land Bank intends to obtain general obligation bonds to finance the purchase of Turtleback Mountain. An $8 million bond will be repaid from the Real Estate Excise Tax the Land Bank receives. The 1% REET, approved by voters, expires in 2014. An additional $5.4 million bond will be repaid out of conservation futures tax over a 30-year period.

Land Bank Director Lincoln Borhmann told the county Council about preliminary plans for use of the property. "There is good infrastructure on the property. The roads up there are for timber harvesting and there are trails around the property." People will be able to use the trails and roads to walk or bicycle up onto the property. "People have had experiences looking at Turtleback," he said. "They should have the experience for looking down from it. The views are truly spectacular."

Agreement reached to protect Turtleback Mountain
6-month fundraising campaign begins

contributed photo

posted 06/14/2006
PRESS RELEASE: A conservation partnership and the Medina Foundation have reached an agreement that will protect in perpetuity 1,587 acre Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island, one of the largest privately-owned properties in the San Juan archipelago. The sale by the Foundation and purchase by the partnership, scheduled to close later this year, will ensure that the mountain is protected in perpetuity for public use and conservation.

The partnership, which includes the San Juan Preservation Trust, the San Juan County Land Bank and The Trust for Public Land, will purchase the property enabling the Foundation to expand its support of social and educational charities throughout Puget Sound. The purchase price for the property is $17 million. The partnership is seeking to raise a total of $18.5 million to acquire the mountain and establish a stewardship fund to manage the site. To date, approximately $12.5 million has been committed to the project from public and private sources, leaving $6.0 million to raise by November 2006.

"This agreement presents a very unique philanthropic opportunity for the people of the Pacific Northwest," said Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust. "In addition to permanently protecting a signature Puget Sound landscape, the proceeds from the sale will be used by the Medina Foundation to provide critical human services in our region."

"This is an excellent outcome for all of the organizations involved," said Tricia McKay, executive director of the Medina Foundation. "We look at the sale of the Turtleback Mountain property as a way to continue to fulfill our mission to help those in need through grants to organizations that address such issues as homelessness, hunger, at-risk youth and families, and education assistance for those at risk of academic failure. The sale definitely helps fulfill that mission."

Turtleback’s distinctive profile is visible throughout the archipelago, making it one of the most familiar properties in the San Juans. It is known to have served as a landmark for the Northern Straits Salish people as they traveled among their communities and fertile fishing grounds, and continues to greet island residents and visitors passing through the islands by boat.

"Turtleback Mountain is an iconic landscape, as important to the health and identity of the larger Puget Sound region as it is to the San Juan Islands community," added Roger Hoesterey, northwest regional director of The Trust for Public Land.

The 1,578-acre Turtleback Mountain property was assembled by Norton Clapp, benefactor of the Medina Foundation, starting in the 1950s. Upon his death in 1995, the property was granted to the Foundation to support its philanthropic work. Although logged in the past, the property harbors remnants of old growth forest and a variety of unique ecosystems associated with the San Juan Islands, including dry oak-savannah habitat. It is an important watershed that significantly influences marine water quality in the area. The mountain is especially well-known for its views over the San Juan archipelago, the Canadian Gulf Islands, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and the numerous waterways in between. The property was listed for sale by the Medina Foundation in August 2005, and was actively pursued by residential and private resort developers before this agreement was reached. The Foundation chose to work with the conservation partnership to achieve preservation of the property.

Under this newly formed conservation partnership, the San Juan Preservation Trust, the national Trust for Public Land, and the San Juan County Land Bank will raise funds needed to complete the purchase and support the long-term management of the site. Turtleback Mountain is the second largest unprotected property in the San Juans, and has long been recognized by all three groups as the top priority for conservation in the islands.

"The Medina Foundation is happy about a conservation solution that simultaneously advances our mission of funding social services," said McKay. "We simply could not have arrived at a better win-win."

The San Juan Preservation Trust,, founded in 1979, www.sjpt.org is a private, non-profit land trust dedicated to helping people conserve land in the San Juan archipelago. The organization has permanently protected over 200 properties, 22 miles of shoreline, and 10,000 acres on 17 islands, including land now managed as public parks, private nature preserves, and working farms and forests.

Contact: Tim Seifert Executive Director (360) 468-3202

The Medina Foundation www.medinafoundation.org was founded in 1947 by Norton Clapp, former chairman and president of the Weyerhaeuser Company, to help those in need through grants to organizations throughout Puget Sound that address such issues as homelessness, hunger, at-risk youth and families, and education assistance for those at risk of academic failure.

Contact: Tricia McKay Executive Director (206) 652-8783

The Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Through its Puget Sound Shorelines Program, TPL is working to double the amount of shoreline protected as parks and natural areas in the next 15-20 years.
Contact: Roger Hoesterey Northwest Regional Director (206) 274-2910 – office (206) 498-9878 – cell

The San Juan County Land Bank www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank was created by citizen vote in 1990 to help preserve the unique natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Since its inception, the Land Bank has protected over 3,000 acres of land, including picturesque shorelines and ridges, historical buildings and working farmlands. This public program is funded by a one percent real estate transfer tax paid for by purchasers of property in San Juan County
Contact: Lincoln Bormann Director (360) 378-4402

Decision on Turtleback Mountain expected this week

posted 04/19/2006
Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann told the county councilmembers he expects a decision will be announced this week regarding the sale of Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island. The Medina Group was meeting April 18 to discuss offers.

Turtleback Mt for sale

posted 08/27/05
The Medina Foundation is selling a 1,578 acre parcel of land on Orcas Island which includes Turtleback Mountain. The foundation, founded in 1947 by Norton Clapp to fund organizations providing basic human services, says proceeds from the sale will be invested in income-producing assets allowing the foundation to help serve a broad and diverse population of those most in need.

"The Turtleback Mountain property represents an asset of significant value to the foundation," said Tricia McKay, executive director of the Medina Foundation. "Proceeds from the sale will help us continue to fulfill our mission to help those most in need through grants to organizations that address such issues as homelessness, hunger, at-risk youth and families, and education assistance for those at risk of academic failure."

"This is a unique piece of property that should be of interest to a variety of possible buyers," said Steve Wood, managing partner of CenturyPacific, L.P., who will handle the sale. "There are few, if any, parcels of this size in the San Juan Islands that are completely undeveloped, so the Turtleback Mountain property represents a unique opportunity for both the seller and a potential buyer."

Wood said he will be contacting a list of qualified buyers who have shown interest in purchasing trophy properties in resort areas like the San Juan Islands. He also indicated the advertising and commercial listings will be used to raise awareness of the property's availability.

Norton Clapp, former chairman and president of the Weyerhaeuser Company, strongly believed it was his family's responsibility to participate in making their community a better place to live. This conviction led him to establish the Medina Foundation to assist those in need. Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than $53 million to social service agencies and education programs throughout the Greater Puget Sound area. Clapp acquired key parts of the property on Orcas Island in the 1950s. Over the years, as other properties became available, he acquired them and assembled the 1,578 acres of land now for sale that includes Turtleback Mountain. The property was transferred to the Medina Foundation on his death in 1995.

"We appreciate and are sensitive to what Turtleback Mountain means to the people of Orcas Island," said McKay. "At the same time the foundation's mission is to fund organizations that provide basic human services to those in need. Our board has a fiduciary responsibility to make sure the foundation's assets are providing the maximum possible return. Currently, it costs the foundation money to both hold and maintain this property thereby compromising our mission. It is the foundation's hope that the maximum value for the land can be obtained so we can continue to fulfill our mission."

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Preservation Trust and Land Bank held dedication ceremony for Turtleback Mountain Preserve last Saturday