Yellow Island

Yellow Island, one of the San Juan Islands, is an 11-acre (44515 m²) island, located south-east of Orcas Island, and north-west of Shaw Island, near Jones Island State Park, in San Juan County, Washington, United States. The island is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including over 50 species of wildflowers, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Black Oystercatchers, and Harlequin Ducks. The island was purchased in 1979 by The Nature Conservancy, and is administered as a nature preserve.

History

Before the arrival of European colonists, the island was used by the indigenous population for harvesting plant foods such as the roots of the Camas flower. Intentional burning was a method used to keep the tree population in check, helping to maintain the prairies needed for the Camas flowers. [ [http://www.rockisland.com/~tom/Yellow.html Vegetation Changes on Yellow Island since 1895] ] The island was bought by Lewis and Elizabeth Dodd in 1947, and then sold in 1979 to The Nature Conservancy, and is administered as a nature preserve.

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