Building Trails and Lasting Connections on San Juan Island

Located off the North West Edge of Washington State on San Juan Island, the Mount Grant Preserve is home to 250 acres of diverse forest, woodlands, and meadows. With abundant wildflowers and a resident population of Orca, the island is a paradise to spend time maintaining one of its most beloved trails.

During their week-long trip in May, our volunteers made an incredible impact on the trails and landscapes they helped steward. Working alongside the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, they regraded and repaired more than five miles of trail, improving access and safety for future visitors. Together, the team removed approximately 100 small trees encroaching on the trail corridor, cleared two acres of invasive noxious weeds, brushed more than five miles of trail to improve visibility and passage, and rebuilt 100 feet of cedar split-rail fencing. By the end of the week, their hard work had left the landscape healthier, more accessible, and better cared for for everyone who visits.

Not only were the volunteers rewarded with fulfilling work on the trail, but formed lifelong friends and bonds while working and camping together. One participant had never been camping before, and watching him bloom with joy, confidence, and curiosity over the course of the week became the highlight of the facilitator's year so far. Coming from a background in environmental education—primarily working with youth—they had long associated this kind of transformative growth with younger learners. Seeing a middle-aged man at the height of his professional career in real estate development deepen his relationship with the more-than-human world challenged those assumptions and expanded their understanding of adults' capacity for change. It was a powerful reminder that curiosity, wonder, and personal growth are not limited by age.

The power of living and working in nature can be truly life changing. A week spent giving back to the trails isn't just an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the landscape—it's a chance to discover new strengths, build meaningful connections, and experience the outdoors in a whole new way.

If you're ready for an adventure that benefits both you and the places you love, consider joining one of our volunteer vacations. Your next week in the woods could change your life—and help make a difference for countless others who will enjoy these public lands for years to come.

Photos provided by Kevin Freeman and Jacob Wagner.