Look here to find local organizations that specialize in wildlife conservation.
Alliance for Wilderness Education and
Stewardship
Conservation Northwest (formerly Northwest Ecosystem
Alliance)
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
North Cascades Audubon Society
North American Bluebird Society
Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation
Turtle Foundation
Whatcom County Planning and Development Services
North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
For information on other local, national and international organizations, check our
Environmental Justice page and click on the link to wildlife conservation organizations.
Whatcom County Planning and Development Services
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/shorelines_critical_areas/aboutus.jsp
Northwest Annex, Suite A
5280 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226-9087
360.676.6907
The goal of the WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (PDS) DEPARTMENT is to implement plans,
policies and regulations to enhance and protect the environment, economy and quality of life here in Whatcom
County. The Planning & Development Services Department is charged with the coordination and management of land
use activities in unincorporated Whatcom County, including:
- implementation of the WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN and other long-range planning documents
- administration of shoreline, *critical area, land use, building, and subdivision development regulations
- conducting development review
- code enforcement
Whatcom County PDS is also charged with implementation and administration of multiple Washington State regulatory
requirements at the local level. Two of these state legislative mandates are the WASHINGTON STATE GROWTH MANAGEMENT
ACT and the WASHINGTON STATE SHORELINE MANAGEMENT ACT.
*Whatcom County’s Critical Areas (CAO) are environmentally sensitive natural resources that have been designated
for protection and management in accordance with the requirements of the Growth Management Act. Protection and management
of these areas is important to the preservation of ecological functions and values of our natural environment, as well as
the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of our community.
The Critical Areas Ordinance applies to geologically hazardous areas, frequently flooded areas, critical aquifer recharge
areas, wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas.
Alliance for Wilderness Education and Stewardship
http://wildernessalliance.org
P.O. Box 2667
Bellingham, Washington 98227-2667
(360) 927-1804
The Alliance for Wilderness Education and Stewardship is a non-profit wilderness stewardship organization dedicated
to the restoration and preservation of the National Wilderness Preservation System through citizen stewardship projects
and public education. Through our efforts we engage the many stakeholders and organizations involved in wilderness
recreation, research, education, management and stewardship in order to jointly address the needs of wilderness. It
is our belief that wilderness management without citizen involvement is not enough, and citizen involvement without
wilderness education is not sustainable. Coordinating and organizing citizen stewardship projects and education is our
goal. We are unique in the wilderness conservation community, because our mission is to care for existing wilderness
areas rather than strive for new designation. We were founded by leaders from conservation organizations, wilderness
agencies, academia and corporations. With decades of experience among us, we know America’s Wilderness can no longer
be managed by federal agencies alone, nor can it be sustained without new champions.
Conservation Northwest (formerly Northwest Ecosystem Alliance)
http://www.conservationnw.org
1208 Bay Street #201
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.671.9950
Since 1989 Conservation Northwest has worked to protect and connect old-growth forests and other wild areas from
the Washington Coast to the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia for the benefit of wildlife and people.
Conservation Northwest combines outreach, communication, and science skills with passion and innovation to build
partnerships with local communities and to implement science-based solutions that conserve wildlife and habitat.
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
http://www.n-sea.org
2445 E. Bakerview Road
Bellingham WA 98226
360-715-0283
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is a community-based organization working to restore
self-sustaining salmon populations in the streams of Whatcom County. NSEA is a non-profit group focused on habitat
restoration, fish production and community education.
North Cascades Audubon Society
www.northcascadesaudubon.org/php/index.php
PO Box 5805
Bellingham, WA 98227-5805
For over 30 years, the North Cascades Audubon Society has represented the interests and importance of wildlife,
habitat and the environment in Whatcom County. Through scientific research, environmental education, stewardship
and advocacy, NCAS provides a variety of services and opportunities for members and the public to engage with the
natural world.NCAS conducts scientific research, environmental education, programs and field trips.
North American Bluebird Society
www.nabluebirdsociety.org
3015 Squalicum Pkwy #250
Bellingham, Washington 98225
The North American Bluebird Society is a non-profit education, conservation and research organization that
promotes the recovery of bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting bird species in North America.
Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation
www.northwestwildlife.org
P.O. Box 4273
Bellingham , WA 98227
Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured, sick and
orphaned wildlife. Our goal is return healthy wild animals back to their habitats. We were established in 2000 as
a non-profit organization and have volunteers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. We are located in Washington State's
beautiful Whatcom County just 12 miles up the Mount Baker Highway from Bellingham. We receive over 3500 calls annually
and admitted over 870 animals in 2005, but expect those numbers will increase in coming years. We work closely with
local humane societies, veterinarians, law enforcement personnel, and other wildlife rehabilitation centers throughout
Washington State.
Turtle Foundation
www.turtle-foundation.org
2615 Jefferson St.
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360-220-3592
The Turtle Foundation stands up for the worldwide protection of sea turtles in a carefully directed way.
Increased efforts are necessary to create more awareness of the acute threat that sea turtles are at the brink of
their irrevocable and irreversible extinction. Conservation projects are being deployed and implemented to prevent
the extinction of these "dinosaurs of the seas".
North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
http://www.ncascades.org
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
360-856-5700
North Cascades Institute seeks to inspire a closer relationship with nature through direct experiences in the
natural world. Our mission is to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. Since 1986 we
have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of
natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers,
forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place.
[It] is committed to innovation and excellence in environmental learning and leadership in the nonprofit community.
We believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity.
Toward that end, four key themes run through all our programs:
- The convergence of natural and cultural history, science, humanities and the arts
- Human history as integral to the history of landscapes and wild lands
- Respect among individuals and the broader community
- Exploration, reflection and stewardship in the out-of-doors
Teaching all ages, we offer:
- Seminars and retreats
- School programs and summer youth adventures
- Teacher education and internships
- Volunteer stewardship programs
- Graduate M.Ed. in environmental education
- Custom programs for your group
