Location:  North Fork Road, Deming
Size:  Approx. 168 acres
Public Access:  Limited
Easement granted:  February 1996
Easement type:  Conservation
Grantees:  Whatcom Land Trust

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When a land exchange in 1993 resulted in a logging company owning an area that contains a communal night roosting area for Bald Eagles, the company, Trillium Corporation, immediately pledged to protect the habitat. 

That pledge led to development of a habitat protection plan that has been incorporated into a conservation easement.  The plan involved a series of studies to determine more closely the birds’ habitat needs within the easement area.  Adjustments were later made to the easement agreement to reflect the findings.

While the eagles feed during the day along the Nooksack River, they roost at night in an area that provides some protection from the weather.  Wildlife biologists theorize that the communal winter night roosts serve a variety of functions for the birds, including exchange of information on feeding areas, as well as warmer microclimates within the treed area.

The southern half of the permanent night roost area was logged in the mid-1970s, and the northern half, somewhat earlier; but many birds continued to roost there.  It was decided to restore the habitat in order to attract more eagles. Other species in the area include woodpeckers, deer, bobcats and black bears.  Kenney Creek, which bisects the property, contains bull trout, Chinook and Coho salmon.

    Several old growth conifers remain on the eastern slopes of the property, and Douglas fir, Western red cedar, hemlock, red alder, maple and cottonwood are also present in varied ages, depending on the soil types and past history of timber harvest.  The understory varies also, with a mix of native species such as deer fern, salmonberries, vine maple and Indian plum.  Invasive non-native blackberry species have been targeted for removal in some areas, to allow reforestation by native plants.