FOMB 2026: A Year of Stewardship

Friends of Miller Bay was honored in April with a County “Earth Day Award”, recognizing our many years of preservation and stewardship work, as well as our rincreasead efforts to educate our members and promote community engagement. As “Stewards” this honor means a great deal to us and inspires us to continue our good work.

It's all smiles at the FOMB work parties!

Donors and members have played a significant role in preserving properties in the Miller Bay watershed and expect that these properties will be properly stewarded. We have now formally adopted a Stewardship Policy for the organization, defining how we will care for these properties. In partnership with the owner organizations and under their broader stewardship plans, our Stewardship & Restoration Program Director manages these activities and supervises our FOMB volunteers.

We have accomplished several projects this year through volunteer work parties. In one project we cut down invasive blackberries from Miller Bay Preserve (MBP) and added some conifer seedlings to create shade along the shoreline, which helps protect smolt as they make their way from Miller Bay to Puget Sound and beyond. Another work party added gravel to the trail at Cowling Creek Forest Preserve (CCFP), thanks to the help of local scouts. In another session we cleared around native seedlings at CCFP to promote their growth and to diversify the forest.

We work hard but also try to have fun on our outings, rain or shine. It gives us a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of our preserves and satisfaction of making them healthier through our efforts. The more volunteers that join us, the more we can accomplish. Below is a list of our planned monthly events coming soon. We hope that several members can come out and join in the “fun”. Will you join us?

By Steve Weagant

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Calendar

Date and Time: Saturday May 23, 9am – 1pm

Location: Miller Bay Preserve 22986 Miller Bay Road NE, Poulsbo and Miller Bay Preserve East

NOTE: Coincides and partners with scheduled GPC work party

Goals: Pull ivy and blackberry, trail building, and roadside garbage pickup

Date and Time: Saturday June 6, 9am – 1pm

Location: Cowling Creek Forest Preserve across from 20248 Miller Bay Road NE, Poulsbo

Goals: Inject Holly and Knotweed, trail building, and roadside garbage clean up

FOMB ANNUAL BEACH CLEAN UP!

Date and Time: Saturday July 11, Time: 9am – 1pm

Location: Volunteers will meet and clean up several areas around the bay shore (details will be posted on our website in June).

Goals: Pick up garbage and debris along the shoreline.