Our Story - Skagit Land Trust

Mission

Conserving wildlife habitat, agricultural and forest lands, scenic open space, wetlands, and shorelines for the benefit of our community and as a legacy for future generations.

Vision

In our vision, Skagit County is a place where people live in harmony with their natural environment. Freshwater lakes, wetlands and rivers are productive, natural marine shorelines serve as expansive wildlife habitat while protecting our communities, lush forests dominate the landscape, and populations of native fish and wildlife thrive. Natural places are linked in a green system that allows for natural processes to take place. Breathtaking views are found around every corner. The county’s rural landscapes support individuals working locally in sustainable natural resource and agrarian economies alongside vibrant businesses and industries situated in towns. Residents and visitors understand, appreciate and work to protect “the Magic Skagit” so that a beautiful, healthy landscape is left for future generations of people and wildlife.

Viable resource and nature-based economies

Sustainable resource and nature-based economies such as farming, fishing, forestry, tourism, outdoor recreation, and conservation remain major underpinnings of the economy. There are numerous situations where wildlife/conservation and resource economies exist together.

Green connectors for humans and wildlife

Skagit is a walkable, bikeable county. There is much better use of all current connectors (streams, dikes, shorelines, railroad right of ways, trails). There is extensive, useable open space on waterways and on both freshwater and marine shorelines. Barriers to wildlife migration are removed or mitigated. Kids, adults and schools from all communities interact with nature often and can walk or ride to school and work.

Livable Cities. Sustainable industry and jobs. Rural character

Complete, livable urban communities are served by transit that promotes conservation of the region’s significant resource lands, open spaces and wildlife habitat. These vibrant population centers provide the necessities of daily life all within easy walking distance. Parks and open spaces are plentiful, used, and loved. Other urban functions are within bicycle distance and public transport and trails connect communities to each other. Population centers don’t sprawl. There is an immediate feeling of “rural” outside of these urban areas. Natural places are linked and easy to access. Development is out of harm’s way. This allows our rivers and marine shorelines that pass through, or near to, population centers to be stewarded as assets where natural processes take place. The floodplain is reserved for uses that do not interfere with these natural processes. Skagit’s rivers, floodplain lands, native forests and marine shorelines are key underpinning to our sense of place.

Strong engaged community and sense of place where people value and conserve nature

Community members and the county’s leadership work to protect the environment as a top priority because they know that the vibrancy and sustainability of the economy and their quality of life is based on the health of their surrounding natural world. They help in stewarding the land through volunteer activities, educational activities and community engagement. The community and its leaders acknowledge and appreciate that Skagit County is part of a dynamic environment and plan according. There is a strong sense of place in the Skagit. People are committed to sustaining a sound natural environment for the benefit of future generations.

Our Core Values

To accomplish our work, Skagit Land Trust works in a manner that reflects fundamental, shared values. We believe in:

Sound Ecosystems
The basis for all our conservation work begins with the understanding that a high quality of life requires diverse and resilient ecosystems.

Sustainable Stewardship
We strive to be good land stewards committed to the long-term sustainability of native species and natural ecological processes.

Engaged Volunteers
Only with the passionate and dedicated efforts of volunteers at all levels of our organization can we fully accomplish our goals.

Involved Members and Community
We value our members’ ideas and support and strive to keep all members engaged and our greater community informed and involved.

Effective Collaboration
We recognize that the best conservation is accomplished by working with a diverse array of people, communities, and organizations towards common goals.

Integrity
We adhere to the highest ethical standards in carrying out our mission, strive for transparency in our operations, and accept full accountability for the decisions we make.

“It wasn’t good enough to save a few acres here and there as parks – we wanted to protect the vistas, the rivers, wetlands, the working farms and forests, the shorelines – in short, the land and the fabric of life it knit together.”
Keith Wiggers, Founder

Our History

Skagit Land Trust was founded in 1992 by three visionary leaders and 32 Charter Members. The Trust is a respected local organization and is recognized as an innovative leader in conservation. The staff, board members, and 400 active volunteers are joined by over 1,700 family and business supporters (members) to protect the most important and beloved places in Skagit County.

Today, the amount of land and habitat protected by the Trust has grown to over 11,000 acres, including over 50 miles of shoreline. The Trust is currently working on a dozen new projects under the guidance of a Conservation Strategy that helps protect the best, most at-risk, and beloved lands first.

In 2009, Skagit Land Trust became one of the first land trusts in the nation to receive official accreditation from the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission and received renewed accreditation in 2015, 2020 and 2025. Accreditation recognizes the Trust’s dedication to following rigorous standards and practices established by the national commission to ensure the long-term viability of the organization and protection of the areas that we conserve.

Our Strategic Direction: 2025-2030

Our 2025-2030 Strategic Direction shapes the focus of our work. Looking ahead, the Trust is focused on expanding its impact while adapting to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions. Read more here.