Five Nature Conservancy Preserves in Washington You Can Visit Any Time

Nestled on the western shore of Whidbey Island near Coupeville, the Robert Y. Pratt Preserve spans 554 acres, offering a mix of coastal trails, wetlands and prairie habitats. The 3-mile coastal bluff trail borders the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and provides breathtaking views of the Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including bald eagles and gray whales during the spring and summer months. Continue down the bluff to the beach trail and explore Perego’s Lake, one of the least-disturbed coastal wetlands in the state.

Situated on the Kitsap Peninsula, Foulweather Bluff Preserve spans 116 acres and is a haven for wildlife. Stands of alders, cedar and hemlock, coupled with a brackish marsh and 3,800 feet of beach, create essential habitats for numerous bird and mammal species. Take the 1/3-mile long trail through the forest to a beautiful shoreline backed by feeder bluffs, also known as eroding cliffs that deliver sand and gravel to the beach below. There’s plenty of beach walking to keep your legs moving. Before setting out, check out the tides (at high tide the water comes up to the bluff wall). Please leave pets at home.

Encompassing more than 30,000 acres, these large preserves on the Columbia Plateau showcase dramatic geology, including Ice Age floods-carved coulees and pothole lakes. The preserves provide critical habitat for species like sage grouse, Columbia sharp-tailed grouse and pygmy rabbit. View wildflowers on the Monument Hill Trail during spring, listen for bats at Dutch Henry Falls during summer evenings and visit McCartney Creek Homestead Valley Trail to observe its birds. Explore the stunning landscapes while appreciating the region’s rich history.

Port Susan Bay features some of the finest estuarine habitat in Puget Sound, supporting a diverse array of birds, salmon and marine life. The preserve’s estuary restoration project has enhanced the connection between the Stillaguamish River and tidal habitats, benefitting juvenile chinook salmon and creating a more resilient ecosystem. Restoration at Port Susan Bay is just one part of a wider network of restoration and land management projects across Puget Sound, many led by Coast Salish Tribes, whose ancestors cared for these places for millennia. Collaborating with local partners has been a priority to open new conservation possibilities with even larger-scale restoration, like the Stillaguamish Tribe’s 248-acre parcel adjacent to the preserve. Nearby areas are used for waterfowl hunting during the months of October through March. If visiting, take extra caution especially at dawn and dusk, and wear blaze orange. Reservations are required to visit the preserve. When you visit, observe the interactions between raptors, shorebirds and marine life.

The Central Cascades Forest is a haven for year-round recreation. With nearly 49,000 acres of land in six different geographic regions and 124 miles of designated summer and winter trails, there is ample opportunity for a diverse array of non-motorized and motorized activities. Recreation on TNC-managed land includes, but is not limited to, hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding. The forest is also used for hunting, fishing, subsistence gathering, nature and wildlife viewing, and spiritual ceremonies.