posted August 27, 2025 - The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank announced the acquisition of a 23.8-acre waterfront property located on Orcas Island’s East Sound. The property hosts 1,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline, including a 260-foot pocket beach, a small intermittent stream, open fields, and forest.  

“We are grateful to the seller for his forethought and patience as we worked through the purchase and sale agreement of this gem,” said Brian Wiese, Land Bank Commission Chair. He added, “The property lies within a high priority area for salmon recovery, hosts multiple forest species including yew and cedar, and adds another public access point to saltwater.”

Public shoreline access is particularly scarce on Orcas Island, with none along this section of East Sound. This acquisition, and it’s 260ft pocket beach, will provide visitors a new view and access point, as well as a resting spot for kayakers and paddleboarders. Stay tuned for future public scoping meetings to help inform the Stewardship and Management Plan before the Preserve opens to the public.

The addition of this Preserve will be the sixth Land Bank property with shoreline access on Orcas Island. Others include Crescent Beach, Judd Cove, Deer Harbor, and North Shore Preserves and East Sound Waterfront Park, co-managed with County Parks.

Contact: Tanja Williamson Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator, tanjaw@sjclandbank.org, 360-370-7655

About San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank

San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank, funded by a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property at closing, acquires and preserves areas in the county that have environmental, agricultural, aesthetic, cultural, scientific, historic, scenic, or low-intensity recreational value. The Land Bank offices are located at 328 Caines Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank, visit www.sjclandbank.org.