Annual Report

July 31, 2007 – June 30, 2008

• Introduction President’s Message
• Land Protected in this fiscal year
• Protected Properties Map
• Treasurer’s Report
• Donors in this fiscal year

“Thank you for all the work you have done protecting the land, protecting our ancestors, protecting the grandparents, the great grandparents and all of the elders that have gone before us. It is hard to explain how we feel because we know the history of the land. We know what’s here. We know who is here. It’s really hard to express how much we appreciate them being protected now.  People never go wrong protecting the land.”

Lummi Traditional Chief William James (Tsilixw) speaking at the dedication of Lily Point

Whatcom Land Trust and all its supporters have much to celebrate in the accomplishments of 2008. New properties protected include parks at Lily Point and Maple Falls, hillsides in the watershed, riverine salmon habitat, and productive farmlands. These achievements came from the combined resources of our numerous contributors, the initiative and expertise of our dedicated board and staff, and the legacy of trust and good will established through twenty-four years of conservation work in Whatcom County.

One highlight is certainly the successful purchase of Lily Point on Point Roberts. This unique 130-acre property of forested bluffs, saltwater beach and tidelands is one of the most ecologically important properties in the Puget Sound region, or Salish Sea as we like to call it. 2008 also saw the preservation of parkland that will serve the Bay to Baker trail, and the opening of Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve with its delightful trail to scenic overlooks and the marine shore. Sadly 2008 also saw the passing of long time board member Carl Batchelor. Carl’s contribution to the Trust was critical to our success through the years. He served as Treasurer, led our Agricultural Land Committee seeking solutions to the puzzle of preserving farm land under the pressures of urban sprawl and the unpredictable economics of farming. We miss his wise presence and wry wit at board meetings. His memory is celebrated with a stone bench on the bluff at Point Whitehorn.

As the sun rises on this year of 2009 we see a landscape of uncertainty. For many this is a time of fear, economic hardship, and dire environmental challenges. Yet, it is also a time of incredible hope and opportunity. The economic slowdown offers those of us in conservation a respite from the frantic growth and land development that marked recent years. It is a time for reflection and focus on the core elements essential to a high quality of life. Clean air, clean water, land to grow food, vibrant places to seek solace in nature while harboring abundant wildlife; the Land Trust exists as a vital, effective, locally-based tool for protecting and enhancing those necessities.

I’m particularly excited for our prospects of significant conservation successes in 2009. We have been making great strides recently on a complex of acquisitions in the upper reaches of the Samish River, where we seek to protect and enhance a large wetland complex. The value of the preserve in enhancing water quality was recently demonstrated by studies conducted by the Department of Ecology. Researchers measured high fecal coliform levels in the river entering the wetlands. Bacteria counts on the down stream side were among the lowest on the river system. The wetland, which hosts thousands of migrating waterfowl and important salmon habitat, is cleaning the water!

Together, with the board of directors and staff I thank you for your generous financial support and many hours of volunteer time and services. Whatcom Land Trust is a gift of commitment, compassion and hope to all present and future generations. It joins us as a community to the land and to the future.

Whatcom Land Trust President, Chris Moench