Español

Ginger Larsen fell in love with Birch Bay, but NNLP helped her fall in love with her yard. “I feel more connected to Birch Bay, as a whole, because I have a space that brings Birch Bay to my front door... Birch Bay is more than just the people and also more than just the wildlife. I feel like this project brought both worlds together in the best way. I have an amazing story to share with my community to encourage them to do the same and I also have a beautiful space that invi

“Farming asks everything of you, and it's easy to let the bigger picture projects keep getting pushed to the back burner. What I want other farmers to hear is simple: you don't have to figure it all out alone, and you don't have to have deep pockets to do things right. Resources like the Whatcom Conservation District exist precisely for farms like ours — working farms trying to build something meaningful, care for their animals well, and leave the land better than they found

Mike Tuben is looking forward to watching his new native plant garden establish and grow, especially if it means less lawn mowing! “The largest benefit [of the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program] is less lawn to mow and better erosion control on a hillside.” – Mike Tuben, 2025 Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program Participant Mike and his neighbors converted 3,000 square feet of their yard into native landscaping through the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NN

Deb and Greg Walrath spent 30+ years dreaming of moving back to Bellingham. When that dream became a reality they did not want to spend...

Rosa Rezansoff and her husband wanted to transform their yard into a special space where they could relax and watch birds and...

Hilda Sandoval of Hilda’s Farming is one of a growing number of Hispanic-owned family farm businesses in Whatcom County. Hilda’s Farming...

When Melissa and Maxx Fanucci found their new property, they’d bought it for the house and the potential pasture – but the forest quickly...

Hilda Schaaf loves spending time in her front garden, which she and Horst designed with fire-resistant landscaping in mind. “We need to...

Kim Barron and Amy Gospodinovich manage over 40 horses, lessons, and day camps. They were tired of managing seasonal flooding, too. They...

Shawne and John Lidstrom stand next to their home and newly planted saplings in seedling protection tubes. Sometimes it is possible to...

Sherry and Charlie Donald stand in front of their home with their new native landscaping. “After the native plants get established, there...

Landowners Michael Bellis (left) and Jessica Lee (right) in front of the WCD flame cap kiln. The kiln is turning excess biomass into...

“I loved the benefit of creating a more sustainable ecosystem around my home, but as a new homeowner who was faced with an overgrown yard...

“When it fits, it fits!” Suzanne Chandler of Flower Feather Farm knows when something fits her life goals and her farm. As a fourth...

“Participating in the Whatcom Conservation District’s program to install low impact natural landscaping turned out to be one of smartest,...

Generations of dairy farmers have raised their cows in Whatcom County, but Ashton Beanblossom is a dairy farmer who has decided to take a...

“Creating a more natural landscape is such a great opportunity, and of course there’s less lawn for Al to mow, so he’s happy about it.” –...

"Every creek counts, no matter how small, no matter if there is fish in it or not. Every tiny little bend of every creek counts. So, the...

“Years ago, the river was like a snake and there were trees around it. So, it shaded the river and kept the water cooler. Gradually over...

“Everything we do, from the soil all the way to someone’s spoon, we are trying to keep that intentional and sustainable.” – Kate Steensma...