The Mission of the Whatcom Land Trust is to preserve and protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations by securing interests in land and promoting land stewardship.

WLT is a private, non-governmental, non-profit organization. WLT is committed to the preservation, protection and restoration of the natural and cultural heritage that has inspired so many to make Whatcom County home. We strive to protect natural assets that promote the well-being of all the county’s inhabitants.

Preserving the extraordinary natural features that provide the quality of life we cherish–exceptional food, water, recreation and livelihood–requires active choices and enduring resolve. WLT, with the help of landowners, donors and partners, has chosen to ensure that Whatcom County’s unique legacy remains for future generations.

WLT PRESERVES intact, functioning ecosystems while we still have them.  WLT works with private, willing landowners who wish to preserve natural features that provide critical habitat for native plants and animals.  While some preserved properties are open for passive recreational use, most WLT-preserved acreage is set aside as wildlife sanctuary.

• 5,000 acres of parkland, including 35 miles of trails 
• 32 miles of marine and freshwater shoreline 

WLT PROTECTS vulnerable working lands that benefit humans as well as wildlife.  Farms and forest lands provide our communities with quality food, water and timber products. Watershed properties are protected to ensure a safe and adequate supply of drinking water for people, as well as quality waterways needed for healthy fisheries.

• 1,000 acres of agricultural, forestry and other working lands
• 1,500 acres in the Lake Whatcom Watershed 

WLT RESTORES and stewards ecosystems to healthy conditions that support a diversity and abundance of native species. Salmon, elk and eagles are species on which WLT has focused to provide a strategic framework for conservation.  These species utilize broad and varied habitats. Safeguarding the features they require protects a great number of other species as well. The health of salmon elk and eagles reflects the well-being of the landscapes that provide foundations for our communities. WLT collaborates with multiple partners to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems.

• 20+ miles of waterways under active restoration
• 20+ work parties each year, staffed by volunteers, equipped by conservation partners, funded by grants and greatly-appreciated private donors

Work is underway to complete the Whatcom Land Trust’s application for accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC), an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). The Commission awards the accreditation seal to community institutions that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

The LTAC invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Whatcom Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, see www.landtrustalliance.org/training/sp/lt-standards-practices07.pdf.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment,visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the LTAC, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Whatcom Land Trust’s application will be most useful by December 31, 2011