About Us
Forests are a keystone to life on the Key Peninsula - and treated as such.
Our mission is to connect Key Peninsula forest owners, no matter their objectives or size of forest, with resources, tools, shared labor, and the fulfillment found in a strong working relationship with trees, so that our forests are well managed and benefit our community forever.
Who we are
The Forest Stewards of the Key Peninsula is an organization of volunteers dedicated to fostering a community that is passionate about preserving the natural beauty of this area.
We strive to create a sustainable and thriving forest ecosystem on the Key Peninsula for generations to come and promote responsible harvest and sustainable forest practices by providing knowledge, best practices, and shared resources.
Our initiatives include organizing educational events, supporting local conservation projects, and proving resources to empower individuals to take an active role in forest stewardship.
This is a great space to share information about our community, our initiatives, and our commitment to forest stewardship. All are welcome! Join us in our mission to protect and enhance the forests of the Key Peninsula.
Meet The Team
Chris Rurik
You may know me as your local naturalist-at-large, publishing accounts of
my adventures in Infinite Peninsula and articles in the Key Peninsula News, but my wife and I are also small forest landowners. My family roots on the KP go back to 1931. On a walk in the woods I could talk your ear off about the champion trees, rare plants, hidden forests, and backwoods characters I’ve had the privilege to know here. I’m a fan of diversity in all its forms, including in forest land management approaches.
Sara Thompson
I’ve been coming to the KP since I was a kid and moved here
permanently with my husband about 15 years ago. I’ve been interested in forest practices ever since I started writing about logging for the KP News. There are definitely ways to make sure forests can grow back and we don’t end up with acres of scotch broom. Taking the forest stewardship class opened my eyes to so much more. I wanted to spread the word.
Gary Brownlee
Our family has had a cabin on Anderson Island for 40 years and about
10 years ago we decided to move closer (by boat). In 2019 we moved to the Key. Forest health and antiquated logging policies have always been a concern in my world view. After taking the WSU class, I feel invigorated to learn there are major established better stewardship practices that exist right now. The science coming from WSU and other boots on the ground programs promoting positive habitat, forests and harvesting have got me excited.
Maitland McConnell
I moved to the KP in 2021 - I had never visited before but we were looking for a property with a few wooded acres and within 30 minutes of Tacoma. We quickly realized how much we didn't know about how to best take care of our land and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more during the forest stewardship class.
Beyond the learnings of the class, it's been such a joy to connect with a community of people on the peninsula who care deeply about the land and are eager to learn from one another.