Turtleback Mountain May Be Saved From Development

(Map of Turtleback property on Orcas Island)


A conservation partnership consisting of the non-profit San Juan Preservation Trust, the tax supported San Juan County Land Bank, and the private Medina Foundation has resulted in an agreement that will protect in perpetuity 1,587 acres on Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island; one of the largest privately owned properties in San Juan County.

The sale by the Foundation to the partnership is scheduled to close later this year. In addition to the purchase price of $17 million, there is also $1.5 million the partnership will need to raise in order to establish a stewardship fund that will be used to maintain and manage the property. Approximately $12.5 million from both the public and the private sector has been earmarked for the project. The remaining $6.0 million will need to be raised by November of this year.

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.

"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."

Information about the partnership members:
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