Conservation Story
The Samish River Wetlands Conservation Area protects just over 26 acres along the upper Samish River near the northern boundary of Skagit County. The Conservation Area was protected in 2025 with funds from the National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant Program, RCO Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, a private foundation, and Skagit Land Trust (SLT) members.
Read our Summer 2025 newsletter to learn more about Samish River Wetlands Conservation Area.
Site History and Ecology
The Samish River Wetlands Conservation Area permanently protects 22.5 acres of nationally declining palustrine forested and scrub-shrub wetlands on 1,750 feet of the upper Samish River. Woody shrub-like vegetation that is less than 20 feet tall is found within scrub-shrub wetlands, sometimes referred to as a bog. In contrast, palustrine forested wetlands are dominated by woody trees over 20 feet tall. Both of these types of wetland habitat are found across the United States and are facing national decline due to human development, timber conversion, and climate change impacts. The Samish River Wetlands Conservation Area provides habitat for many species, including the federally threatened and state endangered Oregon spotted frog, and supports a variety of salmonid species including steelhead, coho, and cutthroat trout. The remaining 3.5 acres of the Conservation Area consists of lowland forest that buffers the wetland and provides habitat for a variety of woodland creatures including elk. This forest is currently undergoing restoration. SLT’s stewardship efforts have focused on restoration of previously degraded areas within the property’s lowland forest. This work consists of noxious weed control and native plant installation.
Access

The Conservation Area is open to the public, however, visitors must travel down a private road to access it. Due to the limited accessibility and multi-year restoration efforts, please watch our event page for opportunities to visit this Conservation Area with SLT staff during work parties and tours.




