Preserving land in its natural forested condition is an important part of what local government is doing to protect Lake Whatcom. Forested land soaks up and naturally filters rainwater, reducing impacts to the lake from high flows and pollution. Our duty to provide clean water for over 100,000 residents begins with careful land management.
In 2001, the City began a program to purchase available land in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, funded by watershed fees. As of June 2022, the City has purchased over 2,400 acres at a cost of about $35.5 million dollars. The City has also protected an additional 164 acres of land through conservation easements or restrictive covenants.
Lands protected by the Land Acquisition and Preservation Program
Visit the Lake Whatcom Watershed Protected Properties Map to view current protected lands.
- Agate Bay Preserve
- Agate Creek Preserve
- Agate Pond Preserve
- Anderson Creek Preserve
- Blue Canyon Preserve
- Crabtree Preserve
- Dutch Harbor Preserve
- Koblitz Preserve
- Lake Geneva Preserve
- LaPlant Preserve
- Lookout Mountain Preserve
- McAtee-Wells Preserve
- Olsen Creek Preserve
- Oriental Creek Preserve
- Scudder’s Pond
- Silver Beach Preserve
- Strode Preserve
- Three Creeks Preserve
- Three Rivers Preserve
- Watts Family Preserve
- Zarnowitz Preserve
Additional Information
For more information, please contact the Property Acquisition Specialist in the Public Works Department administration office.
