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Davis Conservation Easement:
15 Acres south of the Olympia Airport in Thurston County.
Protected with Conservation Easement in 1990.
This property is part of the Black-Chehalis River
drainage and is near the southern terminus of the last
glaciation. Site soils and orientation of a low ridge
bisecting the property confirm the characterization of a
drumlin, a long low hill of glacial till. The property
was probably logged twice in the last 100 years and
currently contains mixed deciduous and coniferous
lowlands, a conifer-dominated ridge, and a forested and
scrub-shrub wetland. A seasonal tributary of Salmon
Creek, originating at Springer Lake, flows through the
property.
The property is in the western hemlock forest zone.
Coniferous and deciduous trees found on the property
consist of Western Red Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Bigleaf
Maple and Red Alder. Typical understory consists of
Sword Fern and Oregon Grape and a shrub layer of Vine
Maple, Indian Plum, Elderberry, Huckleberry, Snowberry,
Red-flower, Currant and Salmonberry.
Buying "The Bird
House:" An Interview with Jim Martin
by Lou Ellyn Jones
(Issue #30)
The following article is based on an interview with
Jim Martin, who purchased the Jack Davis property in 1998. We wanted
to hear about Jim's experience with purchasing land covered by a
conservation easement, one of our first. Jack died last year, and his
son put the property up for sale.
Jim Martin first heard about the Davis property
through an ad in the real estate section of the paper on Superbowl
Sunday. "It was a misprint," Jim explained. "The ad
said, 'Bird-watcher's Delight! 70 acres for sale!'" Actually, it
was supposed to say, '70 species of birds.'"
The agent described the property as 15 acres, the
house as "needing some work," and the land as having a
conservation easement on it. Jim knew nothing about conservation
easements, but as the agent explained it, he and his partner, Rosie
Marino, grew intrigued. Jim and Rosie had been looking for property
for about two years, without much luck. Everything in their price
range was residential, and they were looking for something special,
with some trees on it.
The Davis property, assessed at $117,000, sold for
$85,000, a steal. The two-bedroom house was included in the sale
price. Jack's heirs were more interested in the quality of person who
bought the property than in extracting the full market price,
according to Jim. "They were really interested in the fact that I
had a degree in Environmental Studies," Jim said.
The land supports a lush covering of mature Douglas
fir and western red cedar, multi-layered native undergrowth, several
wetlands, and a seasonal creek. Springer Lake comprises the headwaters
of the creek, which drains to the Black River. Olympic mudminnows are
rumored to live in one of the ponds. The modest, unobtrusive house
nestles among the trees, seeming to belong there.
The property is well-known as bird habitat,
something Jack Davis particularly wanted to preserve. Species include
the great blue and green-backed heron, wood duck, hooded merganser,
pileated woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, and yellow-rumped
warbler. There are so many birds in the area, the neighbors refer to
the place as "The Bird House."
Jim and I discussed what landowners might keep in
mind if they are contemplating a conservation easement. Most
important, of course, are the values you want to conserve on the
property. Easements are crafted to meet the wishes of the landowner
and the mission of the trust, so details can vary. If the land is ever
sold, it is important to reserve a residential area on the property.
"I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy land they couldn't live
on," said Jim.
Purchasing property with an easement on it might not
work for everyone. Deed restrictions are intended to narrow the range
of allowable activities. The Davis easement, for example, stipulates
no dogs or cats - a reflection of Jack's concern for wildlife. This
restriction has not posed much problem for Jim and Rosie, who live
busy lives and have little time to take care of a pet. However, it
could discourage potential buyers.
Some activities may fit in well with the intention
of an easement. Jim, for example, used to work for Northwest Trek. He
and Rosie had dreamed of purchasing property where people could come
to learn about nature. Before purchasing the Davis property, they
discussed with CLT the idea of eventually building a nature trail. The
Land Trust was agreeable to the idea, so this may become a reality in
the future.
Knowing what he knows now, would Jim do it again?
Absolutely.
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