Picture yourself walking through a quiet old-growth forest, only to emerge at the edge of a dramatic bluff with sweeping views of the Puget Sound. That’s the experience protected at the Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve on Whidbey Island. In 2015, a $200,817 WWRP – Urban Wildlife grant, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Department of Natural Resources, helped save 60 acres of this spectacular landscape from high-end development. Thanks to that acquisition, recreationists today can continue to hike, stroll along the beach, and soak up the breathtaking views that make this corner of the island so special.

Protecting Admiralty Inlet

Before it was protected, the Admiralty Inlet property faced a real risk of residential development. While the views of the Inlet, the Olympic Mountains, and the Puget Sound are breathtaking, building homes here would have fragmented rare habitats, degraded old-growth forest, and disrupted the natural feeder bluff that supports salmon and other wildlife. Nearby lands already showed the cost of building on sensitive habitat: once-thriving forests weakened, bluffs eroded, and ecosystems lost their resilience.

Thankfully, the Department of Natural Resources used a WWRP – Urban Wildlife grant to purchase the property, completing the final phase of the 93-acre Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve and ensuring both long-term habitat protection and public access for future generations to enjoy.

From towering forests and rare prairies to bustling wildlife and scenic trails, Admiralty Inlet offers a remarkable mix of natural wonders—and experiences for anyone who loves the outdoors. Here’s what makes this special place so unforgettable:

• Rare ecosystems in one spot. The property includes a lowland old-growth forest (one of just seven left in Washington), native prairie habitat, including the endangered golden paintbrush, and 2,300 feet of naturally functioning feeder bluff that feeds marine life and supports migrating salmon.
  
• Wildlife galore. Over 238 bird species use nearby Crockett Lake and the Preserve’s shoreline, from raptors to waterfowl. Salmon swim the waters below the bluff, while pigeon guillemots nest right in its cliffs.
  
• Scenic recreation. The Preserve is tucked into Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, just north of Fort Casey State Park. Established walking trails wind through the old forest and along the shoreline, offering quiet places for hiking, beach walking, and wildlife viewing. On a clear day, you can take in sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet, the Olympic Mountains, and even migrating whales.

The Bigger Picture

Admiralty Inlet is one of just 58 Natural Area Preserves in Washington, representing the best of what’s left of our state’s native ecosystems. Many of these places were protected using WWRP – Urban Wildlife grants, which safeguard critical fish and wildlife habitat near our growing cities. These green refuges keep ecosystems healthy while giving people close-to-home spaces to play, explore, and connect with nature.

So next time you’re on Whidbey Island, take a stroll through Ebey’s Landing, wander toward the bluffs, and know that behind the jaw-dropping view is a story of conservation, recreation, and the power of WWRP to make both possible.