Preserving land and restoring it to a natural forested condition is an important way we protect Lake Whatcom, the source of Bellingham’s drinking water. Forested land soaks up and naturally filters rainwater, reducing impacts to the lake from high flows and pollution. Our responsibility to provide clean water for more than 100,000 residents includes protecting and restoring these forests to improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and forest health and resilience in the watershed.
The City’s long-standing Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program purchases available land from willing sellers in the Lake Whatcom watershed at fair market value to permanently protect their land. These purchases are funded by watershed fees on utility bills.
Since its launch in 2001, the program has removed more than 940 development units and protected more than 3,800 acres in the watershed through property purchases, conservation easements, and restrictive covenants. We have a dedicated in-house field crew that stewards this protected land year-round to help ensure the preserves can protect water quality and habitat into the future.
This program is one of many efforts to protect Lake Whatcom.
Selling property in the watershed
Interested in selling your property in the Lake Whatcom watershed and leaving a legacy of protection? Learn how.
Protected lands in the watershed
Visit the interactive Lake Whatcom Watershed Protected Properties Map to view the land currently protected in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
Additional Information
- Lake Whatcom Watershed Protected Properties Map
- Resolution Adopting Property Management Plan
- Lake Whatcom Reservoir
- Lake Whatcom Advisory Board
- Selling Property in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
For more information, please contact the Property Acquisition Specialists at lwwacquisitions@cob.org or (360) 778-7985.
