The City of Bellingham is Acquiring 754 Acres of Forestland in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
January 29, 2025
The City of Bellingham is acquiring 754 acres of forestland in the Lake Whatcom watershed, marking the largest purchase ever made to protect Bellingham’s drinking water source. This acquisition, approved by Bellingham City Council at their Jan. 27, 2025, meeting, will safeguard a significant area of forest from development and timber harvest.
“Years in the making, this purchase is a major step forward in protecting one of our community’s most valuable assets, strengthening our ability to continue providing clean, safe drinking water,” said Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund. “This accomplishment also supports our goals to sustain a healthy environment for people, native flora and fauna, and increases our community’s resilience to wildfires and other effects of a changing climate. I’m grateful to Nielsen Brothers and everyone involved who made this impactful purchase possible.”
The City is purchasing the property – located on the southeast end of the lake, south of Lake Whatcom Park – from Nielsen Brothers, Inc., a local timber company, for $3.65 million. The acquisition is funded through watershed fees on utility bills that are specifically collected for protection of Bellingham’s drinking water source. The sale is expected to close on Feb. 14, 2025.
The site is made up of five adjacent parcels zoned for commercial and residential forestry. The area was last logged several decades ago. Today, second-growth forest remains with a mix of tree species such as fir, hemlock, and cedar. There are also seasonal creeks flowing through the site.
While no trails are planned for the site, the City will actively manage the property to improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Preserving and restoring forested land in the Lake Whatcom watershed is vital to improving water quality in Lake Whatcom. Forested land soaks up and naturally filters rainwater, reducing impacts to the lake from pollution and high flows. Forests also provide wildlife habitat and improve air quality.
Since 2001, the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program has purchased more than 3,500 acres for protection in the watershed. Through this voluntary program, property owners can choose to sell to the City at fair market value to protect the land in perpetuity. Property owners interested in participating in the program can learn more on the program website.
City staff are thankful to all who helped make this purchase happen, including Whatcom Million Trees Project for early conversations with Nielsen Brothers. This land acquisition represents a significant step towards ensuring a resilient future for Bellingham and its residents.
“Years in the making, this purchase is a major step forward in protecting one of our community’s most valuable assets, strengthening our ability to continue providing clean, safe drinking water,” said Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund. “This accomplishment also supports our goals to sustain a healthy environment for people, native flora and fauna, and increases our community’s resilience to wildfires and other effects of a changing climate. I’m grateful to Nielsen Brothers and everyone involved who made this impactful purchase possible.”
The City is purchasing the property – located on the southeast end of the lake, south of Lake Whatcom Park – from Nielsen Brothers, Inc., a local timber company, for $3.65 million. The acquisition is funded through watershed fees on utility bills that are specifically collected for protection of Bellingham’s drinking water source. The sale is expected to close on Feb. 14, 2025.
The site is made up of five adjacent parcels zoned for commercial and residential forestry. The area was last logged several decades ago. Today, second-growth forest remains with a mix of tree species such as fir, hemlock, and cedar. There are also seasonal creeks flowing through the site.
While no trails are planned for the site, the City will actively manage the property to improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Preserving and restoring forested land in the Lake Whatcom watershed is vital to improving water quality in Lake Whatcom. Forested land soaks up and naturally filters rainwater, reducing impacts to the lake from pollution and high flows. Forests also provide wildlife habitat and improve air quality.
Since 2001, the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program has purchased more than 3,500 acres for protection in the watershed. Through this voluntary program, property owners can choose to sell to the City at fair market value to protect the land in perpetuity. Property owners interested in participating in the program can learn more on the program website.
City staff are thankful to all who helped make this purchase happen, including Whatcom Million Trees Project for early conversations with Nielsen Brothers. This land acquisition represents a significant step towards ensuring a resilient future for Bellingham and its residents.
