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.

Kamm Creek Tree Planting

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Whatcom Conservation District

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. Kamm Creek is a lowland stream in the Nooksack Basin that provides critical spawning and rearing habitat for salmon. The blue tubes in the photo above indicate trees planted along the creek. Learn more about the project on page 60 of this report and by watching this short video by Whatcom Family Farmers.

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.

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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.

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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.

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