Deer Harbor environmental learning center
We have been deeply involved in stewardship for over 45 years on this land, working with many people and organizations who have lent their dedicated hands and hearts to enhance the environmental mission of this vitally important property: the Deer Harbor Estuary and surrounding lands.
Some of the wonderful and dedicated people helping from the very early stages to set up and establish the base camp from which to launch the mission's plans, work, and to begin the vital outdoor environmental learning classroom. Eager students from elementary school to PhD gather here to learn and share their passion for preserving the environment.
education
Teaching Others to Love the Land
Within this magnificent 30 acre classroom we find opportunities to teach the next generation the importance of land stewardship and preservation. This land has limitless on-going examples of different ecosystems to be utilized through education for restoration, research, remediation, outreach and personal enjoyment.
"This project (Deer Harbor Lagoon restoration project) is the perfect opportunity to apply to real life and local issues topics that we are learning in the classroom. The intricacies of how watersheds work, marine ecosystems and the necessity of biodiversity, human and environmental interdependence, and most importantly (to me anyway) the empowerment of students to apply what they learn to real life situations to make a difference and realize the value of what they are learning in the classroom" Letter from Orcas Island Middle School science, marine science and leadership teacher, Laura Tidwell
Organization such as Kwiaht run by biologist Russel Barsch have been actively involved in guiding many restoration and preservation projects on this multi-faceted estate. Here you can see Russel, Bob Connor and students actively taking a core sample of the lagoon to test the health and history through studying the layers of mud. Monitoring the depth and content of the sediment deposited by the tides helps determine the best methods to enrich and restore the health of the estuary. This particular study was prior to the new wider bridge construction.
Contact Us
Bob and Meg Connor
Deer Harbor Stewardship
