Skagit Land Trust Helps Protect More Critical Skagit River Salmon Habitat

If you look at a map of the Skagit River east of Sedro-Woolley, you’ll see a large river wind its way through a rich tapestry of wetlands, forests, farms, homes, communities, and river floodplain. Some of the most important salmon habitat exists here as well. Skagit Land Trust (SLT) is excited to have helped Seattle City Light (SCL) conserve a large section of floodplain this year at a place called Tank Creek.

Conservation doesn’t always happen quickly, due to all the twists and turns a project can take, and the Tank Creek property fits that description. Back in 2004, Skagit Land Trust began discussions with a landowner about a property adjacent to our Minkler Lake Conservation Area on Child’s Creek. Nearly 20 years later, SLT helped Seattle City Light acquire the 221-acre property, with assistance from a grant from WA State’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board along with other funds. Seattle City Light worked tirelessly to acquire this land for conservation.

Located where Childs Creek, Tank Creek, and the Skagit River come together, the property offers a bit of everything; expansive floodplain, river shoreline and channels, wetlands, and forest, all of which help to support salmon. Partnership projects like this one show how Skagit Land Trust often works together with local landowners and organizations to protect the best salmon habitat on the Skagit River and its tributaries.