A legacy of salmon restoration
The seasonal return of salmon in autumn to newly restored habitat at Whatcom Land Trust’s Maple Creek Reach property is a cause for celebration.
This story originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Saving Land magazine.
At Whatcom Land Trust in Bellingham, Wash., the seasonal return of salmon in autumn to newly restored habitat at the land trust’s Maple Creek Reach property is a cause for celebration.
Maple Creek Reach’s story started in 2003 when Whatcom Land Trust acquired the first 78 acres of what is now Maple Creek Reach, which was donated by the Washington State Department of Transportation as mitigation after it had damaged salmon habitat upstream.
Before the land trust’s acquisition, the land had been cleared and leveled for agricultural use. From 2003 to 2010, Whatcom began the Maple Creek Reach Restoration project. Over years of work with local stewardship partners, a series of pools and mounds were created to help return the land to a forested wetland.
To provide salmon with shade and cool water, a wide meandering creek was created with woody debris for refuge and spawning. Restoration at Maple Creek Reach is an ongoing effort, including annual plantings to keep salmon habitat plentiful.
The land trust hosts work parties to enlist volunteers in the restoration work at Maple Creek. The conservation efforts have had great results. Bears, coyotes, eagles and even cougars have been spotted on the property. All five species of Pacific salmon use the waters as spawning grounds.
“Maple Creek Reach is a living demonstration of stewardship and partnership in action,” said Jenn Mackey, Whatcom Land Trust stewardship director.