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.

Chimacum Creek Flow Enhancement Project

Natural Resource Investments (NRI)
Jefferson County Conservation District

Jefferson County Conservation District used NRI funding to help 15 landowners restore salmon habitat in Chimacum Creek through removal of reed canary grass. The overgrowth of grass choked stream flow and contributed to flooding, pollution, and low oxygen levels. The flooding was impacting valuable farmland. The contaminated runoff was impacting shellfish growing areas, and the low dissolved oxygen was adversely impacting salmon.

In total, 15 separate landowners participated in the grass removal project, which greatly improved streamflow and reduced flooding.

This project also:

  • Replaced a failing culvert on Naylor Creek, a tributary of Chimacun Creek, with Family Forest Fish Passage Program funiding
  • Completed a comprehensive review of water quality and fish habitat for the Discovery Bay watershed.
  • Installed gutters on a barn to reduce contaminated runoff. Collected water with a stored sister.

Project Priorities moving forward: 

  • Continue working with Chimacum watershed landowners and partner organizations to address flooding, ongoing maintenance needs, and habitat enhancement opportunities.
  • Partner with local and state agencies and organizations to develop and implement a program to improve forest health and address increasing wildfire threats
  • Improve online presence and outreach efforts.

More Community Stories:

Foster Creek Conservation District

Foster Creek CD / Douglas County Watershed

In an arid landscape dominated by dryland grain production and rangeland, this pilot focuses on reducing soil loss, improving water availability, and supporting habitat health. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient working lands under changing conditions.

Full Story
Columbia Conservation District

Touchet River Watershed

In a working lands landscape shaped by dryland farming, grazing, and irrigated agriculture, this pilot focuses on reducing erosion, keeping soil on the land, and improving stream and habitat conditions. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient farms and healthy watersheds.

Full Story
Whatcom Conservation District

Sumas River Watershed

Within a productive agricultural landscape shaped by dairy and crop production, this pilot focuses on improving water quality, managing nutrients, and reducing flood risks. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation supports both farm viability and long-term watershed health.

Full Story