Photo by Joe Sambataro

Location: Pierce County, Anderson Island

Acreage: 21.39 acres

Ownership History: CLC purchased the property from a private landowner in 2008, and transferred the property to the Anderson Island Park and Recreation District to be added to the adjacent Andrew Anderson Marine Park, which expands the park to approximately 61 acres in size. 

Property Description:  The 21.39 acre property is located on the southwest side of Anderson Island on Carlson Bay and consists of undeveloped forest uplands and a small freshwater stream that feeds into the bay.   It is characterized by open grass and shrub cover plus second growth timber in the northern portion, as well as a small portion of pocket estuary.  Andrew Anderson Marine Park is the only publicly owned saltwater frontage on Anderson Island, and this site will protect an additional 50 feet of shoreline.      

Conservation Values:  Carlson Bay is one of the few remaining pristine habitats for fish and wildlife in the lower Puget Sound.  Preservation of this site provides additional protection through a forested riparian zone, a barrier beach with large woody debris, and maintenance of water quality in the estuary.  The estuary provides critical support for out-migrating juvenile salmonids including transition zones for food production, migration corridors, and predator refuge.