conservation crusader
Cullen Brady leads the charge at Bainbridge Island Land Trust
Words by Alorie Gilbert
Photo: Kate Kelly / Bainbridge Island Land Trust
Bainbridge Islanders take a lot of pride in their island’s wild beauty. In a recent city survey, 96 percent felt positive about the preservation of the island’s natural areas. One group to thank on that front is the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, which has been stewarding the natural landscape since 1989. Executive Director Cullen Brady joined the organization five years ago, helping to develop and lead its Stand for the Land campaign. The campaign has raised nearly $8 million for island conservation and protected over 100 acres of critical habitats. A dedicated conservationist, Brady has also served in development and government relations roles with The Wilderness Society, Sustainable Northwest and The Nature Conservancy.
I was born in: Colorado and grew up in Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas and Nebraska.
What brought me to the Pacific Northwest: was pursuing my undergraduate degree in International Affairs and German Studies at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
What I’ve learned from more than two decades of conservation work: is that people are empowered when they see change is within reach and they experience the impacts of change before their own eyes. Collectively, these actions add to seismic shifts in how we protect our environment. Look at the Land Trust’s recent acquisition: Rockaway Bluff Preserve. On this 45-acre plateau, some of the island’s largest Grand fir tower over Pacific yew and a diverse understory of over 40 native plant species. The preserve also provides critical refuge for over 80 documented bird species. Now that’s inspiring!
What people may not know about the Land Trust and its mission is: that it’s impossible to travel the island and not see or feel the impact of the three-plus decades of our work. Having protected nearly 1,500 acres of critical habitat, parkland, streams and shorelines, the Land Trust’s work affects everyone, every day. Protecting these lands is just the beginning of our work. Effective conservation takes a long view. We are committed to restoring and stewarding our forests and watersheds in perpetuity.
An example of the Land Trust’s work to repair ecosystems is: the nearly 1,000-acre Springbrook Creek Watershed on the island’s west side, which drains into Fletcher Bay and is a priority of the Land Trust. It’s one of the largest and most productive salmon-bearing streams on the island, designated as critical habitat for Puget Sound steelhead. The stream also hosts populations of cutthroat trout, chum and coho salmon, sculpin, and Western brook lamprey. We’re currently working with partners to remove fish barriers and restore native vegetation within this watershed. Our watershed-scale conservation lens ensures that links in and between protected areas are functional and resilient.
The Land Trust supports local efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing because: connection to nature is proven to boost physical and mental health; however, affordable housing is too often built in areas with little to no access to nature. By utilizing data rooted in science to identify lands having significant conservation values, we can help determine the best locations for affordable housing while protecting critical habitats and natural areas.
I’m currently reading/watching: An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong.
Every summer, my husband Michael and I: can be found either wine tasting or exploring the greater West Sound in search of the next best taco.
The impact I wish to make in my community is: We all feel a clock ticking on climate change, and we see the loss of nature with our own eyes, and yet, I’m hopeful. I’m committed to bringing the community together to empower change and make positive progress for the environment— right here.
