New conservation project will protect historic Camp Waskowitz

Highline Public Schools, Trust for Public Land, and King County have agreed to a conservation easement that will preserve Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center and 345 acres of surrounding forest.

The agreement will protect the area from development in perpetuity and provide over $7 million to maintain the outdoor education center, fund scholarships and expand public access to scenic trails.

Highline’s outdoor education program is recognized as a statewide model. Since 1947, Highline students have attended outdoor school at Camp Waskowitz. The outdoor education center hosts around 3,000 students a year from Highline and other school districts for four- to five-day sessions.

“We’re proud to secure Waskowitz as green space for future generations,” said Highline Superintendent Ivan Duran. “This will ensure that all Highline students have the opportunity to participate in outdoor education as part of their learning experience, now and in the future.”

Funding for the project came from several sources; most notably, $7.33M to fund the acquisition came from the King County Conservation Futures Tax and Parks Levy. Trust for Public Land, Highline Public Schools, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and generous philanthropic donors that gave to the Jim Ellis Fund for Land Conservation, funded the project work.

“Access to the outdoors can have a profound impact on young people’s health and their understanding of the world around them,” said Trust for Public Land’s Northwest Director Mitsu Iwasaki. “Ensuring preservation of Waskowitz as an outdoor education center will enrich the lives of current and future generations.”

Camp Waskowitz alumni include former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Governor Jay Inslee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, and State Senator Mark Mullet.

Highline has agreed to allow recreational use when school programs are not in session. Over 300 forested acres and several miles of trails will be open to the public.