“Healthy watersheds don’t just happen - they are created by the people who live there.”  Alan Artibise, Professor of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University

By Dorie Belisle
NSEA Board Member, former Tenmile Creek Project Manager, Retired Farmer
30 for Thirty #8

Planting trees is in my blood. I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. My dad taught me how to plant a tree. We planted many trees together. We planted trees on every hill side, around every ravine and on top of the sandy cliff that bordered the beautiful Apple River. Our fields were honored and protected, but any other area was a home for trees.

 When John and I came to Whatcom County in 1995, we were excited to see a healthy Agricultural community. We jumped right in and began planting apple trees, with our children, on our new farm on Ten Mile Road. It was hard work, but an exciting time for us.

As we got more involved with our industry, we learned that there were challenges for agriculture in Whatcom. I remember attending our first meeting at the Bellingham library to discuss the listing of the Spring Chinook on the Endangered Species list. Farmers sat on one side of the room and environmentalist sat on the other. As a farmer, I care deeply about the environment. I did not know where to sit. My confusion let to sadness as I heard farmers share that they were afraid to let any agency person on their farm and how they never want to see salmon in their streams.  I heard anger and I saw fear. These were farmers, like my Dad, who loved their land and were proud of providing food for us. All they could see
that night was the possibility of losing their ability to farm.
I decided I had to do something.

I began working, as a volunteer, with landowners in my Tenmile Creek watershed. I believed and still do, that the people who work their land have a deep understanding of its health. If given education and empowerment they could become part of the solution as we learn to manage our water and land resources for fish, farms, and families. However, an idea without financial resources does not go too far.  I went to the only non-regulated entity I knew, NSEA. Wendy Shearer, the Executive Director at the time, helped me write a grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  NSEA had my back! The grant was accepted, and we became partners.

I began meeting my neighbors and soon realized that they wanted someone to walk their land with them. They enjoyed telling their story: the history of the land, their dreams and most of all their love for it. As relationships were formed, I invited NSEA to be a part of my meetings. I thought NSEA would provide the technical and science support that I lacked.  Through these meetings, landowners learned about how our Tenmile Watershed connects to the health of the Nooksack River Basin. They could see how what they do on their land impacts the entire ecosystem.
They became a part of the whole.

I learned that the greatest gift we can give a landowner is to listen. It is the first way to show respect. The folks at NSEA are good listeners. NSEA strives to understand the uses, challenges and dreams people have for their land. Do you remember how it feels to be really listened too? How your world suddenly opens? During these visits, I could feel a connection happening between us, the landowner, and the stream.  Once connected we were able to share more about the health of the stream and what it needs to be structurally diverse and vibrant.

I saw relief in the eyes of the landowners as they realized that NSEA had the know how to design a plan that could improve their land use and the health of the stream. NSEA would do the permitting and solve the logistics of getting on the ground activities completed.  Whether it is removing a culvert, building a bridge, planting a riparian area, or managing 500 people at a work party, NSEA has the experience to get it done. There is also a relief knowing that NSEA will monitor a site for three to five years to ensure success. Landowners are never left feeling stranded.   

And Lastly, I learned from NSEA about the positive energy that flows when all parties work together. It is inspiring and gives me hope. Whether it is landowners working by our side on a project, neighbors helping neighbors, community work parties, or collaboration with other entities such as the Whatcom Land Trust and the WCD, these lasting relationships continue to improve our watersheds. Our grandchildren deserve the gifts
of wild salmon in our streams, and living in a diverse,
vibrant watershed. Join us in creating this legacy!

Thirty for 30 #8