Protecting Maury Island

For a dozen years, environmental advocates worked to prevent a mine from being built on Maury Island, the longest stretch of undeveloped Puget Sound waterfront remaining in King County. If mined, Washington would have lost the once-in-a-lifetime chance to protect this natural beach, wild madrona bluffs and network of trails. WEC, along with our partners Preserve Our Islands and People For Puget Sound, were involved in efforts to protect Maury Island even before it was established as an aquatic reserve. Finally, thanks to the work of so many people, Maury Island remains a place for our children and their children to gaze across Puget Sound to the shoulders of Mount Rainier, to enjoy the natural wonders of our inland waters, from tiny crabs to majestic Orcas. Through dedicated conservation funding from the state government and King County and private donations, this iconic bluff and beach property has been purchased and preserved.