Rain Shadow Consulting

The Nature Conservancy,
conservation planning
RSC led a conservation team that developed a comprehensive Conservation Area Plan for the Cowlitz Bay and Bitte Baer Preserves on Waldron Island, WA.

The Nature Conservancy & US Fish and Wildlife, Garry Oak restoration
We co-developed and managed a three year restoration project focused on the restoration of 40-acres of Garry oak habitat in one of northern Puget Sound’s most intact Garry oak stands. The project involved selective tree removal, woody fuel reduction, pile burning, native grass planting and monitoring.

Community Land Trust of Waldron Island, forest health improvement
Partially funded by USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, this project entailed managing a 14-acre fuels reduction and forest stand improvement thinning operation. RSC employed local labor for cutting and felling and also collaborated with the Washington Conservation Corps to help with slash and fuel clean up.

The Nature Conservancy & US Fish and Wildlife, golden paintbrush planting
In an effort to help increase the number of populations of the federally threatened golden paintbrush plant (Castilleja levisecta), we have worked in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy & USFWS to outplant new individuals in the islands. We are currently monitoring their success and plan on continuing these efforts in the coming years.

San Juan County Land Bank,
Garry Oak restoration
RSC implemented a grant funded, 2-acre Garry oak restoration project on Turtleback Mountain, Orcas Island. Work involved releasing mature oak trees from competing Douglas-fir as well as Himalayan blackberry control.

Totem Pole Installation
RSC co-managed the transport, installation, and site improvements for a 30-foot, hand carved, Tlingit style pole. We installed all rigging systems and directed the 200 person raising crew. Carved by Scott Jensen.

The Nature Conservancy & US Fish and Wildlife, Garry oak woodland and savanna understory restoration
We are currently in phase II of the Garry oak habitat restoration project mentioned above. This new phase of the project focuses on the restoration of the diverse suite of wildflowers and native grasses which depend on these ecosystems to thrive.

Hazard Tree Assessments
We regularly conduct on-site tree health and hazard assessment consultations for Island Gardens' clients throughout the San Juans. We have also worked with them to assess the status of native rocky bald/grassland vegetation adjacent to project sites in order to better incorporate native species into their landscape designs.