Crescent Beach Preserve Fuels Reduction Project
Active Project Crescent Beach: Rain Shadow Consulting (RSC) is excited to begin a comprehensive forest restoration project at the Crescent Beach Preserve on Orcas Island. Partnering with the San Juan County Land Bank and WA Department of Natural Resources, RSC will be implementing fuel reduction and forest thinning work across 32 acres of the beloved Crecent ...
read moreBlakely Island Fuels Reduction
Blakely Island; In the spring of 2025, Rain Shadow Consulting was awarded a fuels reduction contract on Blakely Island. Partnering with the WA Department of Natural Resources and Blakely Island Timber Company, RSC installed a shaded fuel break along nearly 4 miles of the island’s main north-south access road. This shaded fuel break was accomplished by removing ...
read moreFifty Acre Variable Density Thinning Project
In 2012 RSC completed a 50 acre variable density thinning project in a 70 year old Douglas-fir stand in order to increase diversity, lower fuel loads, and accelerate old-growth characteristics. The work was conducted by Island Excavating (Orcas Island) and the useable wood was sold to offset the costs of treatment.
Blakely Island Forest Management Plan
RSC completed this project in early 2014 and continues to provide forest management services, allowing the 2,200 acre forestland to become FSC certified and meet desired production goals for a sustainable supply of high quality Douglas-fir sawtimber. All harvested timber is milled on-site by Blakely Island Timber Company with options for kiln drying and machining finished product ...
read moreThe Nature Conservancy & US Fish & 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.
The Nature Conservancy with US Fish & 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.
The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Planning
Rain Shadow Consulting led a conservation team that developed a comprehensive Conservation Area Plan for the Cowlitz Bay and Bitte Baer Preserves on Waldron Island, WA.
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.
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.
The Nature Conservancy with US Fish &Wildlife, Garry Oak Woodland & 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.