Category Overview
Conserving land along our waterways protects important habitat and helps keep our rivers healthy, clean, and more resilient to drought. Riparian Protection projects conserve and restore fresh and saltwater habitat while protecting fish habitat. In doing so, the grants help provide our families, farms, and fisheries with clean water across the state.
Project Highlights
Whatcom Land Trust will use this grant to acquire and restore 50.82 acres of habitat along Lake Terrell at the confluence of Butler Creek in Whatcom County. The property builds on the existing Land Trust-owned Kelsey Preserve, adding nearly 40 acres of riparian habitat and approximately 2,200 feet of shoreline along Lake Terrell, as well as over 1,000 feet of Butler Creek. In total, nearly 2,000 feet of coho spawning habitat in Butler Creek will be protected. Restoration elements will include wetland enhancement, interplanting, and fence removal. The Kelsey Preserve provides opportunities for passive recreation, such as birding and wildlife viewing, which will be expanded with this acquisition. This acquisition will create nearly contiguous protection around Lake Terrell with the adjacent Lake Terrell Wildlife Management Area managed by WDFW. The surrounding riparian areas and wetlands provide habitat and foraging grounds for state candidate species such as western grebe, and state sensitive species such as the common loon. According to a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment done by the Nooksack Indian Tribe, the trumpeter swan, bufflehead, and northern pintail have notable vulnerability to climate change and are also present in this area. For many of these species, sensitivity to climate change is linked to habitat loss, placing additional value in securing protection and restoring habitat-rich areas such as Lake Terrell that otherwise likely would be developed.