July 12, 2024

Written by Gavin Sam

Neal and I from the HAT crew had the opportunity to join Islands Trust Conservancy on Saturna Island on Monday, July 8th, to conduct some covenant monitoring. It was a very beautiful, warm, sunny day providing the perfect backdrop for our work. The island's natural beauty was on full display, and we felt fortunate to spend the day in such a serene environment. Our primary task was to monitor and observe the unique wetland ecosystem on one of HAT’s conservation covenants that was full of tall cattails. During our monitoring, we were able to observe some of the changes that have been happening in the covenant, such as the young Cedar trees beginning to grow and establishing in the wetland during the seasonal droughts. We learned a lot from Jemma Green of Islands Trust Conservancy about Saturna and the history of the covenant we were working on. 

In addition to our monitoring duties, we had some spare time in the morning, allowing us to explore more of what Saturna Island has to offer. One of the highlights was our visit to the East Point Lighthouse, which offered stunning views of Mt. Baker, the Georgia Strait, and an abundance of sea life. 

Overall, the day was a wonderful blend of work and exploration. The opportunity to contribute to the conservation, combined with the breathtaking scenery of Saturna Island, made for an unforgettable experience.