40 Acre DNR
Trust Land Transfer
Protecting & Expanding Upland Forest Habitat
Project Description
In 2025 we initiated a preservation project to protect 40 acres upland of the Miller Bay Preserve. Our goal is to protect and enhance this land: preserving precious habitat, protecting a valuable wildlife corridor, and restoring this second growth monoculture forest to a healthy, diverse habitat. Through the Washington State “Trust Land Transfer” (TLT) program* the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) is able to transfer state owned land to public agencies for conservation or recreation purposes. Friends of Miller Bay has applied to get this parcel transferred to Kitsap County Parks and designate it as “open space” in perpetuity.
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Located near the intersection of Miller Bay and Gunderson Roads, this parcel connects an important wildlife corridor for deer, black bear, coyote, and river otter as they make their way to 1,575 feet of protected shoreline on Miller Bay. It has two creeks on it, one seasonal and one year-round fish bearing creek, both flowing into Miller Bay. If successful, we will add to the13-
acre Miller Bay Preserve and the 3.5-acre Kawahara Preserve, both owned and managed by Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC). Friends of Miller Bay will be the designated Stewards for this upland forest addition.
Last clearcut in 1976 and replanted with Douglas Fir, this forest is now a dense monoculture with little habitat diversity. The trees are now approximately 50 years old and due for timber sale/possible development in 2029. The time to save this forest is now! The TLT process is
lengthy. There are a series of steps we must go through, before the ultimate decision will be made in 2027.
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Benefits
The water quality of Miller Bay is directly impacted by protection and preservation of its upland
forests. This property provides added benefit with two stream channels feeding Miller Bay
Preserve wetlands, and ultimately flowing into Miller Bay. These stream corridors remained,
for the most part, untouched by logging and have retained good cover for stream shading and
wildlife passage. With this DNR parcel, the total contiguous area of protected land will be 56
acres, connected to 1,575 linear feet of protected shoreline. The value of conserving adjacent
parcels is so much greater in their aggregate, providing protection and habitat for an enormous
diversity of wildlife across upland forest land, creek channels, tidally influenced mudflats, salt
marsh habitats, and open water. This project will:
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Connect diverse habitat
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Protect an established wildlife corridor
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Save a year-round fish bearing creek
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Provide critical habitat for Chinook and Steelhead Salmon
Area Map
Status &
Current Activities
We will continue to lead the acquisition campaign: collecting letters of support, promoting this project in our communities and monitoring the process. Milestones we’re working to:
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April 1, 2026 – Final letters of support due to DNR
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Winter 2025 to Summer 2026 – DNR reviews applications
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Spring 2027 – Trust Land Transfer Advisory Committee prioritizes projects
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Winter 2027 – If approved, Transfer implemented!
Partnerships & Acknowledgements
Friends of Miller Bay gratefully acknowledges our partners in this Project:
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Kitsap County Parks
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Great Peninsula Conservancy
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Suquamish Tribe
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Stewards of Washington State Lands
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Department of Natural Resources
For More Information
To lend your support to this project please contact the Stewardship & Restoration Program Director by email @ info@friendsofmillerbay.org