Annual Report
July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010
- Introduction President’s Message
- Land Protected in this fiscal year
- Protected Properties Map
- Treasurer’s Report
- Donors in this fiscal year
Building a Legacy
Whether you have lived here all your life, enjoyed a recent relocation, or just appreciate visiting the Whatcom community, you are a part of building the legacy of local land preservation.
Getting out on the land is the best way to be part of the Trust. You can join our tours, volunteer for a work party, or call our Board and staff members and tell us what interests you – we will be happy to take you with us the next time we are headed out! To pique your interest, I would like to paint a picture for you of just a few of our new and timeless properties.
Ennis Creek and the Samish River provide spawning and rearing habitat, as well as a critical gateway between Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The area has beautiful waterfalls, active beaver ponds, and the chance to see spawning salmon first-hand. Over the years, the Whatcom Land Trust has purchased and preserved over 650 acres in this area, and at this time you can join our Board and staff for an easy roadside tour, an arduous bushwhack, or, in the future, more moderate hikes.
You would need to work hard to find an arduous bushwhack around Squires Lake Park, originally purchased by the Trust in 1995. For most,
Squires Lake offers an easy stroll, a few switchbacks—a place to take your family, walk your dog, or just view the incredible colors reflected in the mirror-calm waters. [Squires holds a special place for me, as each visit reminds me that when purchased, the final signature on the deal was that of Michael Durbin, then President of the Trust and a good friend to so many in this community.]
These are representations of just a few of the more than 10,871 acres protected by the Trust for the Whatcom County community. Over the past twelve months we have protected nearly 1,000 additional acres in the Lake Whatcom, Drayton Harbor, Lummi Bay, Samish River and South Fork Nooksack watersheds. These are your lands, held in trust for you, your family and your children and grandchildren. Thank you for sharing and supporting the Whatcom Land Trust vision for the future, it is our hope that in 10, 50, or 100 years, your families will still need only walk out their doors to understand how special Whatcom County is. I intend to visit all of the Trust properties in the future—and I hope to see you there.
Rich Bowers, Whatcom Land Trust President