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 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. 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. 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.