More Land Conserved Near Long Beach
Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area Grows by 60 acres
The excitement never stops on the Long Beach Peninsula! In December, the Land Trust purchased a 60-acre property in the Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area. The property is on the Pacific Highway (103), five miles north of Long Beach. It builds on 985 more acres conserved by the Land Trust and partners, resulting in a conservation area totaling 1,045 acres!
The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area is one of our key focal areas in the Long Beach Peninsula-Willapa Bay area. North of Long Beach, it consists of land on Island Lake, Loomis Lake and a number of inaccessible lakes and wetlands. Washington State Parks holds the undeveloped 370-acre Loomis Lake State Park. Washington Fish & Wildlife maintains boat launches on both Island and Loomis Lakes and also has several preserves for the Oregon silverspot butterfly in the area. And, Columbia Land Trust now owns a total of 645 acres, including Island Lake Forest and the newly acquired wetland property.
The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area, now 1,045 acres, focuses on the habitat of a variety of wildlife. Trumpeter Swans visit the lakes each year between November and March. Spring attracts Golden-crowned Kinglets, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Red Crossbills. Bald Eagle and osprey also nest on the lakes each spring. Roosevelt elk and black bear roam the mature evergreen forests.
The protection of these lakes and wetlands also benefits people directly. The lakes are much loved for recreation – wildlife watching, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and boating. The area’s water source is a sensitive island aquifer. Local wells tapped into the aquifer serve both residents and visitors. Protecting the aquifer’s water quality helps to sustain the communities’ drinking water.
If you’d like to visit The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area, join us on our tour this fall. On your own, bring a canoe or kayak to the Loomis Lake boat launch of Highway 103 and 188th Place. Thanks to the Land Trust and Partners, the entire east side of Loomis Lake is conserved forever. Enjoy!
The expansion of the conservation area was made possible by our funders, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Wetlands Program, Pacific Coast Joint Venture, and our loyal members. Thank you!
The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area is one of our key focal areas in the Long Beach Peninsula-Willapa Bay area. North of Long Beach, it consists of land on Island Lake, Loomis Lake and a number of inaccessible lakes and wetlands. Washington State Parks holds the undeveloped 370-acre Loomis Lake State Park. Washington Fish & Wildlife maintains boat launches on both Island and Loomis Lakes and also has several preserves for the Oregon silverspot butterfly in the area. And, Columbia Land Trust now owns a total of 645 acres, including Island Lake Forest and the newly acquired wetland property.
The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area, now 1,045 acres, focuses on the habitat of a variety of wildlife. Trumpeter Swans visit the lakes each year between November and March. Spring attracts Golden-crowned Kinglets, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Red Crossbills. Bald Eagle and osprey also nest on the lakes each spring. Roosevelt elk and black bear roam the mature evergreen forests.
The protection of these lakes and wetlands also benefits people directly. The lakes are much loved for recreation – wildlife watching, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and boating. The area’s water source is a sensitive island aquifer. Local wells tapped into the aquifer serve both residents and visitors. Protecting the aquifer’s water quality helps to sustain the communities’ drinking water.
If you’d like to visit The Island & Loomis Lakes Conservation Area, join us on our tour this fall. On your own, bring a canoe or kayak to the Loomis Lake boat launch of Highway 103 and 188th Place. Thanks to the Land Trust and Partners, the entire east side of Loomis Lake is conserved forever. Enjoy!
The expansion of the conservation area was made possible by our funders, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Wetlands Program, Pacific Coast Joint Venture, and our loyal members. Thank you!
