Twin Vista Ranch
Twin Vista Ranch
Acres Preserved:
26
Year Conserved:
2012
Category:
Conservation Easement
Natural Features:
It was my and Jeanne’s dream for many years to have this land protected… We knew that a lot more could be done with the land.
- Lisa Painter, former landowner of Twin Vista Ranch
A Birds-Eye View
Twin Vista Ranch is a 26-acre treasure on Marrowstone Island, just next door to the Land Trust’s Chai-yahk-wh Preserve. It operated as a farm for more than a century, and at the time of its protection was home to an heirloom apple orchard, cattle operation, barns, and organic gardens.
The ranch is named for its scenic glory: on a clear day, you can see Mt. Baker in one direction and Olympic Mountain views in the other.
Twin Vista has significant agricultural values. In addition to the existing infrastructure, the large amount of commercially productive farmland contains rich agricultural soils classified by the Natural Resource Conservation Service as farmland of statewide importance, while the gently sloping topography reduces the risk of soil erosion and provides favorable conditions for many types of agricultural uses.
The Preservation Story
Lisa Painter and Jeanne Clendenon bought the property in 1972 and established Twin Vista Ranch. For 40 years they lived on and worked the land, raising small livestock and cattle as well as producing organic fruits, berries, vegetables, and honey. Their organic chickens, ducks, and eggs were sold at the Port Townsend Food Co-op when it first opened.
With Jeanne’s passing in 2011 and Lisa’s decision to retire from ranching, it was time to let the land go — but Lisa didn’t want to see the property broken up into lots or turned into vacation condos. Instead, in an act of inspiring generosity and true commitment to her and Jeanne’s values, Lisa decided she wanted to donate the land to Washington State University (WSU) so that it could remain in production and be used for educational purposes.
In addition to the donation of the land, Lisa recognized that it was additionally important to protect the land permanently to guarantee it would be preserved forever, even if the land changed hands. So, she worked with Jefferson Land Trust to put a conservation easement on the land to ensure it can’t be subdivided or converted from agricultural use. This easement would not have been possible without the loving help of Rita Marie Kepner, Ph.D — Lisa and Jeanne’s Marrowstone Island neighbor and friend.
In 2012, with the land protected forever by the easement, Lisa donated the property to WSU in memory of Jeanne Clendenon and of her parents, Carl W. Painter and Muriel T. Painter, who instilled in her the important value of passing it forward.
The Protected Property Today and Tomorrow
Twin Vista Ranch remains forever a sustainable resource for our community: a place to learn, farm, and continue the legacy Lisa and Jeanne so lovingly created. Over time, future farmers should benefit from the open pastures, infrastructure, and orchard at this special place.
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