Discover How Keta Legacy Foundation is Transforming Conservation in the Salish Sea!

The Keta Legacy Foundation is dedicated to promoting conservation and fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world, with a particular focus on the Salish Sea region. Since its establishment in 1968, the Foundation has been working to connect people to wild places and protect the habitat, mountains, water and natural history of the Salish Sea region and beyond.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To promote actions and foster understanding to inspire conservation from the Rhododendron Preserve to the Salish Sea region.

Vision: People Connecting with and Protecting Healthy Ecosystems

Core Programs and Activities

The Keta Legacy Foundation pursues its mission through several key programs:

Stewardship of the Rhododendron Preserve: The Foundation proudly stewards, preserves, and restores the beautiful 466-acre Rhododendron Preserve on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State.
Educational Opportunities: The Foundation works with local schools and community members to offer educational opportunities at The Preserve.
Land Acquisition and Conservation: It collaborates with donors to acquire land and increase conservation efforts at The Preserve and throughout the Salish Sea region.
Grant Program: The Foundation offers a competitive grant program that benefits other qualifying conservation-focused and environmental education focused non-profit organizations.

These programs are made possible by the support of generous donors, allowing the Foundation to promote wild places and sustainable practices.

The Rhododendron Preserve

The Rhododendron Preserve, a 466-acre area on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State, serves as a cornerstone of the Keta Legacy Foundation's conservation efforts. It is home to the region's largest chum salmon run, annually supporting tens of thousands of chum and coho salmon, as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. Visitors to the Preserve can hike the Big Tree Trail to see Kitsap County's largest publicly-accessible Douglas Fir.

The Preserve isn’t just a pretty place - it’s a place of profound learning too. The best way to ensure you can protect the land is to own it.

Land Acquisition and Expansion

The Foundation has been actively acquiring land since 1986 to promote stewardship of the Chico Creek watershed and its miles of salmon-spawning habitat. Starting from just 74 acres, the Preserve has grown significantly over the years through strategic partnerships and land purchases.

Collaboration with Ueland Tree Farm

A notable example of the Foundation's collaborative approach is its partnership with Ueland Tree Farm (UTF). The Foundation and UTF have a long partnership that dates to 2009 when they worked together to create a conservation easement on 100 acres of the tree farm near Chico and Lost Creeks. UTF sold 69 acres of land near Chico Creek to the Foundation in 2012, thanks to grant funding from the Suquamish Tribe, and another 37 acres in 2018 with funds provided to the Foundation by generous donors.

Support from the Suquamish Tribe

The Suquamish Tribe has been a crucial partner in the Foundation's land acquisition efforts. The health of Chico Bay and Dyes Inlet are of crucial importance for the Suquamish Tribe," said Rob Purser, director of the Tribe's Fisheries and Natural Resources Division. "The Foundation land purchase will help protect salmon habitat in one of our most important watersheds. Tribal and non-Tribal fisheries, Southern Resident Killer Whales, and the Salish Sea ecosystem can only benefit."

Read also: Keta Salmon: A Comprehensive Guide

Recognition and Impact

The Keta Legacy Foundation's efforts have been recognized for their significant contribution to salmon preservation and ecosystem health in the Pacific Northwest.

Salmon Preservation Efforts

At a time when experts say salmon in the Pacific Northwest are "teetering on the brink of extinction," local and regional salmon preservation efforts have taken on new urgency. The Foundation's work in protecting salmon habitat within the Chico Creek watershed is particularly vital.

Interconnectedness of Natural Systems

"These land purchases allow us to create a healthy forest buffer that protects the streams and habitat within the Preserve and Chico Creek watershed," Wirtz said. "We're seeing every day how interconnected our natural systems are. What we do locally to protect our salmon has far-reaching impacts throughout the Salish Sea region."

Organizational Structure and Values

The Keta Legacy Foundation operates with an all-volunteer board and has a rich history of working with amazing and generous donors. As of 2019, it manages all of its funds in a fossil-fuel-free social investment fund. Community is everything to the Foundation.

Name Change and Core Values

In 2024 the organization changed its legal name to Keta Legacy Foundation after several years of doing business as Keta Legacy Foundation while legally remaining the Mountaineers Foundation we chose to fully transition to Keta Legacy Foundation in order to reinforce our core values. Keta is the Latin name for chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). This simple word - keta - honors our unique role in creating an environmental legacy for future generations by conserving forests, streams, the marine environment, and the communities that depend on them. These natural systems also support communities of people with a vested interest in the health and wellbeing of all the residents of our region - people and wildlife.

Read also: Healthy Keta Salmon Dishes

Independence from The Mountaineers

The Foundation sometimes partners with The Mountaineers, a recreation-focused alpine club, and has even contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support some conservation programs of their organization over the past few decades, we have always been separate and independent from one another.

Board of Directors

The Keta Legacy Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors with diverse backgrounds and expertise in conservation, environmental science, and community engagement. The current board members include:

Jeff Wirtz: President of the Foundation, began his first term on the Foundation Board in early 2017, after several years of helping to survey the Rhododendron Preserve. He is an environmental scientist at a local consulting firm.
Linda Anderson-Carnahan: Co-Chair of the Preserve Committee, joined the Mountaineers Foundation Board of Directors in 2016. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in chemistry and biophysical environmental studies from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. She began her career in environmental science, policy and management in Atlanta in 1984 after working at the Centers for Disease Control.
Scott Eby: Spent most of his childhood car camping and trout fishing with his parents in eastern Washington. That early experience, followed by participation in Boy Scouts and the Mountaineers, instilled a life-long love of the outdoors. Scott has a great appreciation for what we have to lose if we do not take care of the outdoor environment.
Mindy Roberts: Has served several terms on the Foundation’s Board, primarily focusing on the long-term health of the Rhododendron Preserve. She conducted research on the forests around Lost and Wildcat Creeks as part of her environmental engineering dissertation from UW.
Jesse Adams: Began serving as a board member in 2022. He earned his BS in Natural Resources Conservation Planning from the University of Idaho. Jesse’s professional expertise lies in riparian restoration and noxious weed removal.
Joe Albrecht: Is a retired military veteran with nearly 25 years of service in the US Army. Joe currently serves as a Washington Conservation Crew (WCC) Supervisor in Belfair performing ecological restoration and recreational enhancement on the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. Joe is also a stewardship program coordinator for the Washington Native Plant Society. He is an experienced military leader, planner, and project manager, and has a master’s degree in military planning and a bachelor’s degree in cell biology from the University of Washington.
Eva Blair: Born in Kitsap County, spent her formative years immersed in the natural beauty of the region. Eva is a proud alumna of Western Washington University, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Geographical Information Science. During her academic journey, Eva engaged in hands-on learning through an internship at Kitsap Conservation District, contributing to the Backyard Habitat Program’s restoration efforts. In her role as a Fisheries Research Technician at the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Eva played a vital role in safeguarding endangered species such as the Hood Canal Summer Chum and Puget Sound Steelhead.
Jim Gates: First volunteered at the Rhododendron Preserve in 2012, helping clean up Hidden Valley and removing invasive plants. He was immediately captivated by the old growth forest and the natural beauty of Lost and Wildcat Creeks. He sees the Preserve as an invaluable resource to the community, and was honored to accept an invitation to join the Foundation Board in early 2016. Jim’s hobbies include reading, sports, running and alpinism.
Rick Gillatt: Was raised on a 40 acre farm in Arizona. He currently resides on Bainbridge Island with his wife and two daughters. Rick’s career in ecology and biology has included work experience in plankton research, teaching, water chemistry, aquaculture research, marine animal care, seabird rehabilitation, and cattle farming. In addition to being a member of the Mountaineers Foundation Board, Rick serves on the Education, and Grants committees.
Mandy Harris: Graduated from Western Washington University’s College of the Environment witha BS in Environmental Science. While in school, Mandy completed an internship at theRhododendron Preserve that solidified her passion for forestry work. Mandy now works as a silviculture forester, supporting sustainable natural resource management in the South Puget Sound region.
Renee Johnson: Is a Salmon and Ecosystem Recovery Planner. Before working as a planner, Renee served as an Environmental Health Specialist in the Water Pollution Identification and Correction program at Kitsap Public Health District. There she protected public health and natural resources by sampling the water in Kitsap’s streams and at the shorelines. She also spent seven years with WSU Kitsap County Extension. There she managed the Water Stewardship Programs, which include Salmon Docents, Stream Stewards, Beach Naturalists, Native Plant Advisors, and Shore Friendly Ambassadors.
Amy Lawrence: Is a Kitsap County native and began serving as a Board member in 2018. She earned her BS in Environmental Studies from WSU and a MS from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Amy has experience in environmental permitting work with local consulting firms and now is a professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Olympic College in Bremerton. Amy also volunteers with local environmental groups such as the Chico Salmon Park Stewardship Group and the Clear Creek Task Force.
Amy Smalley: Is a graduate from Western Washington University’s College of theEnvironment. Amy currently works for Washington State University Kitsap Extension as theWater Stewardship Program Coordinator. Amy is passionate about community outreach and education. She feels thatunderstanding, and respecting, our human connections with our environment andvaluable ecosystems is an important aspect in protecting those ecosystems forgenerations to come.
Katie Trembley: Is a long-time Kitsap County resident, growing up backpacking and adventuring in both the Olympic and Cascade ranges. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in English from Washington State University and a Masters of Science in Education from McDaniel College. After discovering the Rhododendron Preserve in 2021, Katie regularly brings friends and groups to enjoy the beauty of this natural space.
Connor Upchurch: Grew up beneath the mixed-hardwood canopy of the North Carolina Piedmont. The forest - and wild spaces altogether, have never ceased to nurture and enthrall. Connor has lived in WA since 2015. - You see, for us, the forest was a game. But for Connor Wakefield Upchurch, the forest was life.
Emily Mottino: Is a native Washingtonian who was born and raised in Seattle. She worked in the nonprofit event field for five years until marrying a Naval Officer, moving to Japan and starting a family. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Humboldt State University and a Master’s degree in Sport Management from The University of California, Long Beach.

Grant Program Focus

The Foundation offers a competitive grant program to qualifying conservation-focused non-profit organizations whose programs and activities preserve and protect environments and living organisms of the Salish Sea region. state of Washington.

Remembering Norm Winn

Norm Winn was a passionate conservationist. His contributions to the Pacific Northwest are legendary from helping pass the 1976 Alpine Lakes Wilderness bill, 1984 Washington Wilderness Act, the Olympic National Park ocean strip additions in 1988. Norm served on the Board of Directors of the Keta Legacy Foundation, also known as the Mountaineers Foundation, for many years. His area of focus was the grants the Foundation awarded to conservation organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Katha Miller-Winder

Katha Miller-Winder grew up in eastern Washington, where she learned that all the interesting things are outside. As an adult, this has translated into a passion for outdoor education, both encouraging kids to learn about the environment and encouraging educators to use the natural environment to inspire learning.

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