For more than 34 years, Whatcom Land Trust (WLT) has been bringing people and businesses together to help preserve and protect the wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands of Whatcom County for future generations. By securing interests
For more than 34 years, Whatcom Land Trust (WLT) has been bringing people and businesses together to help preserve and protect the wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands of Whatcom County for future generations. By securing interests in land with private landowners, communities, agencies and organizations, the Land Trust is ensuring that our precious natural resources will be sustained and continue to enhance our quality of life. They also work hard to foster a strong land ethic through sound conversation and stewardship education programs.
Land Trust priorities include protecting and preserving Whatcom County’s special places: their water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, coastal shorelines, farmland, forests, and community open spaces. “For me, Whatcom’s special places tell a hopeful story—one that unites us. Your special places and your stories inspire us, invite us to listen to one another, to show up for each other, to find ‘common ground’ even though we might not see eye-to-eye,” Executive Director Rich Bowers said. “At this time of strained public discourse, distrust and division, the land invites us to work together. Here at home—at the local level—our land, stories and community offer a chance to grow closer, not farther apart.”
The Land Trust has identified seven focal areas throughout Whatcom County that guides their current and future efforts. Below is just a little bit about the Land Trust’s current holdings and their future priorities with more information about how you can get involved.
Lake Whatcom Watershed
Lake Whatcom provides drinking water for more than 95,000 Bellingham residents. The water quality along its 7.6-mile length is at risk. Currently, the lake is listed by the Washington State Department of Ecology as an impaired water body for excessive phosphorus, and some of the streams entering the lake have been contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria. Excessive phosphorus supports growth of algae, depletes oxygen and poses a threat to the lake ecosystem. This can also impact drinking water quality and cost. Lake Whatcom could be further compromised by pollutants from storm water runoff, forestry practices and recreational uses. To protect and preserve this incredible resource, the Land Trust works with willing landowners to ensure a safe and adequate supply of drinking water for people, as well as quality waterways needed for healthy fisheries. They also conserve the natural features that provide critical habitat for native plants and animals. While some preserved properties are open for passive recreational use, most Land-Trust-preserved acreage is set aside as wildlife sanctuary.
Since 1990, WLT has secured almost 1,500 acres in the Lake Whatcom Watershed including Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, Lookout Mountain Preserve, Ladies of the Lake and the Lake Whatcom Reconveyance. These efforts limit development that could compromise water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, and our local forests, shorelines and green spaces while continuing to provide the public with opportunities to enjoy the natural outdoors in more than 5,000 acres of parkland and 35 miles of trails.
But as the beauty and value of our area continues to attract new residents, more work will be needed to ensure the long-term protection of the watershed.
Whatcom County has more than 134 miles of marine shoreline including river deltas and estuaries, to feeder bluffs, sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines. Each is unique, providing critical habitat and significant recreational value.
The Land Trust has already secured more than 32 miles of vital marine and freshwater shorelines from as far north as Eames Tidelands in Blaine’s Drayton Harbor, to ARCO and Terrell Creek Heron Colonies and Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve south of Birch Bay, to Plover Island and Smuggler’s Slough near Lummi Bay, on south to Madrona and Clark’s Points and Teddy Bear Cove. Each of these lands protect those essential habitats as well as the adjacent wetlands and forests.
As development pressure continues along our cherished shorelines, the Land Trust will work harder to protect, preserve and restore these critical areas.
Whatcom Core Agricultural Zone
Whatcom County was built by the labor of its farmers and forest workers. The history of our farms and forest lands has influenced our vibrant local culture and continues to provide our communities with quality food, water and timber products.
Whatcom County has established a goal to maintain at least 100,000 acres to sustain a viable agricultural sector. In partnership with the county’s voluntary Purchase of Development Rights program, the Land Trust maintains agricultural conservation easements to permanently protect agricultural properties for local food and farmers.
More than 1,000 acres of agricultural, forestry and other working lands have been protected from development. These and future efforts will improve water quality and quantity, ensuring that the 85,000 acres of zoned agricultural land in our area remains sustainable.
The rich habitat of the treasure that is Chuckanut Mountain includes mature second growth forests, wetlands, snags, cliffs, caves and wildlife c