Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan

Help shape the future of forests in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
Do you care about clean water, forest health, and outdoor recreation in the Lake Whatcom watershed? We want to hear from you as we begin the development of our first-ever joint Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department (County) and the City of Bellingham (City) are working together with ecological forestry consultants from Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG) to create a long-term plan that will protect water quality, improve forest health, and support responsible recreational access (where applicable) by guiding forest management across more thanContinue reading
Help shape the future of forests in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
Do you care about clean water, forest health, and outdoor recreation in the Lake Whatcom watershed? We want to hear from you as we begin the development of our first-ever joint Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department (County) and the City of Bellingham (City) are working together with ecological forestry consultants from Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG) to create a long-term plan that will protect water quality, improve forest health, and support responsible recreational access (where applicable) by guiding forest management across more than 13,000 acres of forests that we collectively manage in the Lake Whatcom watershed. This plan also helps advance the Forest Management program area within the 2025-2029 Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plan.
Which forests are included?
- County-managed forest lands with recreational access: Whatcom County manages approximately 9,600 acres of parklands, including Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park, which were reconveyed from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. These areas support passive recreation activities such as hiking and biking.
- City-managed forest lands preserved for water quality: The City manages more than 3,500 acres of land acquired through the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program, which purchases land to prevent development and safeguard forests that protect Lake Whatcom, Bellingham's drinking water source. This program is ongoing, with new properties regularly added.
See an interactive map of these lands in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Any forests in the Lake Whatcom watershed that are not managed by the County or City - such as privately owned forests for timber harvest or forests managed by the Department of Natural Resources - are not included in this plan.
Why are we creating this plan?
Since time immemorial, Lake Whatcom has played an important role in the quality of life for the people and ecosystems surrounding it. Its watershed was first inhabited and utilized by Coast Salish tribes, who cared for the land long before European settlers arrived and continue to use the watershed today. Lake Whatcom is also the drinking water source for more than 100,000 Whatcom County residents, provides valuable wildlife habitat, is a recreational destination, and home to more than 19,000 people. Improving and protecting forest health in the watershed is just one of many ways that the City, County, and partners seek to protect Lake Whatcom and its watershed from threats such as pollution impacts, wildfire risk, climate change, and unmanaged recreation. Any forest management activities we implement will be guided by our priority to protect water quality.
What will the plan do?
The Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan will inventory and assess existing forest conditions and provide recommendations for enhancing forests to reduce water quality impacts in Lake Whatcom, promote forest health, and increase resilience to climate change, wildfire, and disease. The recommendations in the plan will be site-specific, since forest management needs may vary from site to site. The plan will also recognize the unique purposes of each property. For example, County parks have management goals related to providing passive non-motorized public recreation, while City-acquired lands focus on forest preservation for water quality protection.
Learn more
In this video, join the project's ecological forestry consultant for an educational tour of forest stands in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve that represent the type of forests that will be included in the plan. Learn what factors are considered when proposing forest management activities.
đź“· Photo of Lake Whatcom Overlook by Hannah Montroy
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How do I provide input?
Share How do I provide input? on Facebook Share How do I provide input? on Twitter Share How do I provide input? on Linkedin Email How do I provide input? linkThe comment period is currently closed but will be re-opened when we have a draft plan to share for review this fall.
Thank you to everyone who provided initial input. Now our consultant will take the goals, concerns, and questions we heard - as well as the data they collected - to help draft the Forest Management Plan.
View a summary of the comments we received between April and July 2025.
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General Forest Management Comments
Share General Forest Management Comments on Facebook Share General Forest Management Comments on Twitter Share General Forest Management Comments on Linkedin Email General Forest Management Comments linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Thank you for letting us know what you care about when it comes to managing forests in the Lake Whatcom watershed, including values, concerns, or priorities that you think should guide our decisions.
26 comments
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County-Managed Parks Comments
Share County-Managed Parks Comments on Facebook Share County-Managed Parks Comments on Twitter Share County-Managed Parks Comments on Linkedin Email County-Managed Parks Comments linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Thank you for sharing your thoughts about how the County should manage forests on the properties they manage, such as Lake Whatcom Park and Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, including your ideas for how to balance ecological health with recreational access.
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City-Managed Protected Properties Comments
Share City-Managed Protected Properties Comments on Facebook Share City-Managed Protected Properties Comments on Twitter Share City-Managed Protected Properties Comments on Linkedin Email City-Managed Protected Properties Comments linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how the City should manage protected forested properties in the Lake Whatcom watershed. These lands—acquired through the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program—are specifically managed to protect water quality in Lake Whatcom, Bellingham’s drinking water source. The City currently oversees more than 3,500 acres of these conservation-focused properties, with more added each year.
Who's Listening
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CT
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MP
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Ecological Forestry Consultant
NN
Plan Development Timeline
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April - July 2025: Define objectives
Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan has finished this stageCollect input through community meetings, educational forest tours, focus groups with partners, and online. Community input and data will help define the objectives that will guide the plan's recommendations. A community open house was hosted at Silver Beach Elementary School in May.
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June - July 2025: Data collection and forest tours
Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan has finished this stageNNRG collected field data from the County's and City's forested properties in the watershed to understand existing conditions and identify recommended actions. Two educational forest tours were offered to the community in June and July with more than 30 total attendees. Miss the tour? Watch a virtual version!
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August - October 2025: Write draft plan
Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan is currently at this stageUsing input received and the data they collected, NNRG will write a draft Forest Management Plan with draft recommendations.
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Fall 2025: Review draft plan and develop final plan
this is an upcoming stage for Lake Whatcom Forest Management PlanCommunity members and project partners will be invited to provide input on the draft plan. This input will be used to develop a final Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan.
Important Links
- Interactive Map of Lake Whatcom Properties
- Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park Recreational Trail Plan
- City of Bellingham Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program
- Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan Public Comment Summary (April-July 2025)
- Whatcom County Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Stormwater Plan
- Lake Whatcom Management Program
- Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan (WA State Department of Natural Resources)