Forest Dedication
Interpretive Hike and Trailhead Celebration
When: June 13, 2026, 3pm-5:30pm
What: Come along to see a section of old growth forest on Jack Creek Preserve! Discover what an old growth forest is and why it is ecologically important. Celebrate with us at the trailhead (with champagne!) as this section of forest becomes officially registered with the Old Growth Forest Network.
Where: Meet At Jack Creek Trail #317 (Directions)
3pm for hike and 5pm for trailhead celebration!
SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP REQUIRED FOR HIKE BELOW
Who: Ashley Martens from Old Growth Forest Network and JCPF staff
Parking is limited, carpooling is strongly encouraged!
Bring everything you need for a ~2 mile hike.
Trailhead celebration begins at 5pm with champagne to follow
JOIN US AT THE PRESERVE FOR A POTLUCK AND SPEAKER EVENT AFTERWARD AT 6pm.
About the Speaker: Ashley Martens
Ever since hand-feeding chickadees with her grandparents as a young child, Ashley has sought out intimate relationships with nature through both scientific inquiry and mindful nature-connection. After meandering her way through studying the life sciences in her young adulthood, she finally settled on a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Environmental Science, and certifications in teaching yoga, dance, and meditation. She has studied with leading researchers at various Universities and renowned teachers from the Wilderness Awareness School through the Art of Mentoring. Becoming a naturalist takes time and attention — from hunting for arrowheads in the gullys of high-desert Wyoming as a child, to surveying woodpeckers in the backwoods of north Idaho, to researching seabirds on a remote wildlife refuge island in the Straight of Juan de Fuca, to reintroducing Mountain Quail in eastern Washington, Ashley weaves all of her experiences into her work. She brings her values of lifelong-learning and community-building forward in her teaching and facilitation. Her approach is to empower your learning journey by guiding you to learn from nature, rather than simply about it.