June Solstice Greetings
Solstice Greetings
As we embrace the long days and short nights of summer, we celebrate the glorious growth and abundance of produce from local farmers. If having access to healthy food is important to you, now is the perfect time to explore your nearby farm stands and farmers' markets. Engaging in reciprocity within the community and savoring clean, locally grown food is a wonderful gift on the island, allowing us to support our local food system while staying connected.
On the Land
Our team has been buzzing with excitement, hosting our usual private retreats focused on healing, education, and environmental awareness. Alongside this, we have been busy managing a packed schedule of community events, deepening our connections with friends and supporters. Our dedicated Place team is hard at work maintaining the land, nurturing the abundance of growth, and ensuring a wild yet well-kept forest landscape. Meanwhile, our operations staff meticulously track details, while our program and housekeeping teams are committed to providing excellent service to our programs and guests. Although the work can be challenging, our team finds fulfillment in the rewards of laboring in such an incredible place that we are fortunate to steward.
Please remember that our trails are open to the public seven days a week, dusk till dawn, offering four miles of enchanting conservation forest wetlands. However, our facilities are currently reserved for private guests and are not open to the public.
Community Updates
In good spirits, we are grateful for the amazing landscaping crew from ROOTS Restoration, who are diligently working on vital restoration efforts near our Upper parking lot, which experienced a minor landslide this winter. The ROOTS team is focused on removing invasive plants, managing erosion, and planning the next steps to eventually restore our upper parking area. As a gentle reminder, the upper parking lot is currently limited to ADA access and drop-offs; we kindly ask most guests to park at the lower lot and enjoy a brief walk up to the heartland.
On a different note, we are in the process of designing and testing for a necessary septic improvement project to better support our commercial kitchen at Thomas Berry Hall. We anticipate that the construction for this replacement will take place this winter when our group activity slows down. While it's not the most glamorous task, it is essential. This considerable project will place some strain on our budget, and any extra donations to support our septic system would be greatly appreciated. You would become an honorary sponsor!
Acknowledgments
I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to our incredible staff, who work tirelessly out of love for this place. Our team consistently demonstrates their commitment to showing up and fulfilling whatever needs to be done, embodying extraordinary strength in personal growth and their commitment to our community equity principles, both individually and collectively.
I also wish to highlight the pride and gratitude for our staff who support and participate in our local June Pride events. Recently, hundreds of people came together to celebrate Pride across the island, despite some negativity in the shadows. Our Board and staff not only attend these events but also take on roles as organizers and leaders. It is vital that we show up for our community to share love and positivity in the world. See a few pictures of our Staff at the Coupeville PRIDE 2026, further down this newsletter.
If you haven't done so recently, take a moment to reflect on how you are bringing joy or support into the world. Even the smallest actions can create a powerful ripple effect, brightening someone’s day. Just for today, try to do something sweet!
With warm summer blessings, Madisun Elizabeth Clark