Terri Plake has been keeping horses and trail riding in Whatcom county for more than twenty years. After boarding horses with friends for many years, a long-time dream to keep her horses at home came true when Terri moved to a beautiful 6-acre farm in Ferndale. The farm includes a historic barn and is surrounded by productive Whatcom hay fields. After being contacted by the Department of Ecology regarding manure management, Terri reached out to the Whatcom Conservation District for free and confidential custom planning support.
Growing up on a Raspberry Farm in Lynden, WA, Caitlin Honcoop Tuben had plenty of experience with rural land management.
But, her perspective shifted when she and her husband Jonathon purchased their own five acres in Ferndale.
"Managing our own land was overwhelming at first, and working with the Conservation District helped us to develop a plan that feels sustainable and manageable." -Caitlin
After a career in forestry in Idaho, Pete and Denise Amell and their four horses have retired to five acres in the Jordan Creek watershed. Part of Jordan Creek meanders through their property which also contains infrastructure from a historic small farm dairy operation.
On September 14th, over 290 families, runners, walkers, dog owners, and community members joined the Whatcom Conservation District to celebrate Healthy Water, Healthy Habitat, and Healthy People.
The race took place at Cherry Point and Point Whitehorn, which is an area used for farming, recreation, and provides habitat to a number of different wildlife including, salmon, owls, hawks, coyotes and many more.
Equipment Share Program
The Whatcom Conservation District is dedicated to helping Whatcom County farmers to overcome barriers and support local agriculture.
Effective April 1, Washington Department of Health will lift spring season harvest restrictions on approximately 800 acres of important Lummi Nation shellfish beds in Portage Bay. This significant achievement is due to the pollution prevention actions of community members who have helped to improve water quality in the Nooksack River watershed and Portage Bay. When diverse groups come together, we can achieve community solutions for clean water.
Are you a sound horsekeeper?
Robin Probst is on her way…and her land and animals are thankful for it! As the winner of the 2018 spring Sound Horsekeeping Design Competition, Robin received a $3,000 grant toward on-farm stewardship projects. The design competition and grant are provided in collaboration between the Northwest Horse Source and the Whatcom Conservation District.
Over 80 community members of all ages came together on Saturday, November 10th to participate in the inaugural Puget Sound Orca Recovery Day. Whatcom CD was proud to partner with Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust to organize the work party at Butler Creek, a salmon-bearing waterway near Lake Terrell.
