Northwest Whatcom Partnerships for Healthy Lands and Waters Tour

Earlier this month 13 representatives from county, state, and federal agencies and elected officials’ offices joined Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) for a field tour showcasing partnerships, programs, and investments that are advancing land and water stewardship across Northwest Whatcom County.

Taking care of Whatcom County’s lands, waters, and communities is a shared responsibility. On September 3^rd 13 representatives from county, state, and federal agencies and elected officials’ offices joined Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) for a field tour showcasing partnerships, programs, and investments that are advancing land and water stewardship across Northwest Whatcom County from Ferndale to Blaine.

Attendees were welcomed at Pioneer Park in Ferndale with coffee and pastries from Rome Bakery. Pioneer Park is a special location because the annual Native Plant Sale is hosted there. Conservation District staff, board, the mayor of Ferndale and a representative from City of Ferndale Stormwater spoke to the shared efforts to reduce stormwater impacts and encourage stewardship.

The group then traveled to Birch Bay to experience stormwater stewardship firsthand at two homes that participated in the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP) in 2023. Attendees saw the transformation from lawn to native landscapes established by Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District (BBWARM) and Whatcom CD. Homeowners also shared the community bonds built and benefits the native landscapes have provided to the whole neighborhood.

Afterwards, the tour group traveled Northwest from Birch Bay passing through several new Firewise USA® communities that, in partnership with Whatcom CD, are building Wildfire resilience and preparedness. At Semiahmoo County Park Whatcom CD gave an education demonstration using the Whatcom Explorer Mobile Watershed and shared connection to the Whatcom Clean Water Program. Steve Seymore of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company joined the tour and related his decades of experience farming oysters and the community dedication it takes to keep Drayton Harbor clean.

The final experience featured a beef producer implementing fish-friendly agriculture practices. These included planting streamside buffers and manure management supported by Whatcom CD. Participants enjoyed meeting the animals and people who have benefited from the improvements that help improve water quality to California Creek, which contributes 40% of the freshwater input to Drayton Harbor.

Each experience along the way showcased how Whatcom CD, landowners, and partners are working together to steward Whatcom County. Healthy land is connected to healthy water and more resilient communities. Whether we are improving water quality, building wildfire resilience, reducing stormwater impacts, or supporting working lands and aquaculture, it is shaping a more sustainable future. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the tour — we look forward to continuing these partnerships and lasting conservation outcomes!