Conservation Success Stories

The Conservation Commission and conservation districts integrate  science, technology, and effective strategies for engaging people into our  voluntary solutions. This helps us build community around conservation and  deliver multi-benefit results. You’ll find examples of these solutions—and  the results we’ve been able to celebrate with participating landowners and  partners—in these community success stories.

Whatcom Conservation District

Changing the Face of the Landscape

CREP has changed the landscape in Whatcom County” (Wayne Chaudiere, Whatcom Conservation District). Riparian buffers, such as the one shown in the photo, now span along 132 miles of stream in Whatcom County, forming a panorama of native tree and shrub forests that were just recently open fields or invasive plant species such as blackberry.

Picture description: CREP buffer along Kamm Creek flowing into the Nooksack River. Photo by John Gillies, Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Success Story Snapshot: Tucannon River

Success Story Snapshot: Tucannon River. Voluntary, watershed-based effort leads to increased salmon runs.

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Clallam Conservation District

Partnership Leads to Salmon Recovery Success

Over the past two years, Clallam Conservation District and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) have teamed up to plant conifer trees along the Elwha River, each bringing different resources to the table.

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Mason Conservation District

Gosnell Creek Farm and Habitat Improvement Project

Mason Conservation District leveraged CREP funding to assist landowners along Gosnell Creek with making improvements to salmon habitat and farm practices.

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Whatcom Conservation District

Kamm Creek Tree Planting

With assistance from Whatcom Conservation District, a farmer enrolled 7.6 acres in CREP planted 3,650 seedlings along 4,500 feet of Kamm Creek.

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Snohomish Conservation District

Strengthening the Resilience of the Local Farming Community in Snohomish County

In this video three farmers discuss their involvement in the creation of an Agriculture Resilience Plan for Snohomish County. Featuring Dan Bartelheimer, Spencer and Karen Fuentes, and Libby Reed.

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Jefferson County Conservation District

Chimacum Creek Flow Enhancement Project

Jefferson County Conservation District used NRI funding to help 15 landowners restore salmon habitat in Chimacum Creek through removal of reed canarygrass. The overgrowth of grass choked stream flow and contributed to flooding, pollution, and low oxygen levels.

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Benton Conservation District

Benton Conservation District: Conserving Water in the Columbia Basin

Many farmers want to conserve water, but it can be difficult, risky, and expensive. That's where conservation districts come in. They assist people, like Nestor Garcia from Blue Gem Farms, with making changes that work on-farm and benefit water quality and quantity.

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Clark Conservation District

Clark Conservation District: Empowering urban/small acreage farms

Hosts from Washington Grown visit April Joy Farm to learn how Clark Conservation District provides services that help conserve natural resources and keep the farm viable amid rapid development pressure.

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Spokane Conservation District

Spokane Conservation District: Vets on the Farm

Learn about Spokane Conservation District's solution to help fill the largest gap in American history of agriculture — Operation New Mission: Vets on the Farm. A new generation of soldiers are separating from their military life and looking for work in something fulfilling.

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Clallam Conservation District

Clallam Conservation District: Re-opening shellfish beds in Dungeness Bay

Between 2000-03, over 1,700 acres of shellfish harvest area in Dungeness Bay were downgraded due to bacterial pollution. Today, thanks to a voluntary and community-driven effort to identify and correct sources of water pollution, the Bay has seen improvements and re-openings of shellfish harvest areas.

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North Yakima Conservation District

North Yakima Conservation District: Ahtanum Creek and viable farmland

North Yakima Conservation District works with landowners and ranchers to formulate effective, voluntary solutions to help stabilize Ahtanum Creek, as well as keep farmland viable.

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Whatcom Conservation District

Whatcom Conservation District: Win-win solutions for dairies and water quality

Learn how conservation districts and dairies work together to find innovative solutions that take care of natural resources, take care of animals, and keep Washington dairies viable so we have access to local dairy products in our stores. Features Whatcom Conservation District and Twin Brook Creamery. Aired during Season 7/Ep. 8 of Washington Grown.

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