Why landowners matter
Salmon recovery depends on landowners like you.
Many of the creeks salmon use in Whatcom County flow through private property, which makes landowners some of our most important partners. Engaging landowners to remove barriers for migrating fish and increase habitat diversity is essential for the sustainability of healthy watersheds.
Since 1991, NSEA has built partnerships with landowners, tribes, local businesses, volunteers, and agencies across the county, and many of our restoration projects begin when a landowner invites us onto their property. There is still much work to be done.
What we can do
What restoration can look like on your land.
Every property is different, so we start with what your stretch of stream actually needs. Depending on the site, that can include:
Streamside planting
We plant native trees and shrubs along the bank to shade the stream (keeping the water cool) and limit erosion (keeping the water clear).
Fish passage
If an old or broken culvert (the pipe that carries a stream under a road or driveway) is blocking fish on your property, we can remove it or replace it with a bridge. If you think a culvert is blocking fish, you can reach our Instream Project Manager, Eli DeWitt, directly at edewitt@n-sea.org.
Instream habitat
Our professional crew adds large woody debris (LWD, the root wads and whole tree trunks salmon shelter behind) and spawning gravel to build the habitat salmon need to rear and spawn.
Ongoing care
We keep coming back to weed, replant, and monitor. NSEA cares for and monitors past project sites for years, and yours would join them.
We seek funding for every project, and that funding covers the full range of restoration work, from streamside planting to culvert replacement and instream construction. A few funding sources ask for landowner input, but most do not.
We work with anyone whose property contains or borders a salmon-bearing stream. Not sure whether yours does? We will help you find out. We also restore areas with the potential to support salmon, and the smaller waters that feed salmon-bearing streams.
How it starts
Here’s how it usually goes, and you set the pace.
- Reach outFill out the interest form below, or email info@n-sea.org. A short note about where your stream is and what you’re seeing is plenty to get started.
- Walk the creek togetherOne of our project managers visits at a time that works for you and walks the stream with you, looking at the banks, the plants, and how fish can move through.
- Make a planWe put together a plan for the site and talk it through with you. Nothing moves forward until you’re comfortable with it, and you can say no at any point.
From there, our professional crew handles any construction, volunteers and students help plant, and we come back in the years that follow to maintain the site.
Timing varies from project to project, and a lot of it comes down to funding. We pursue grants for the work, so each project has to fit both the funding-application calendar and the crew’s schedule. Once we understand your site, we will give you a realistic sense of the timeline.
Get in touch
We’re ready when you are.
Do you have a stream in need, or a former NSEA project that needs maintenance? Fill out the form that fits and we will get back to you.
New Project Interest Form
For landowners exploring a project for the first time.
Former Project Response Form
For landowners who already have an NSEA project on their property.
Another way to help from home
Watch for salmon from your own backyard.
If salmon use your creek, you can join Salmon Spotters, our citizen science project, and report the fish you see from your own property each fall. It’s one of the easiest ways for a landowner to help.
Start the conversation
Let’s take a look at your creek!
Big planting project or just curious what lives in your creek, we’re happy to come walk it with you. Reach out and we’ll find a time.
Questions? Email info@n-sea.org or call 360-715-0283.