|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Useless Bay East
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Status |
|
Protection Pending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Location |
|
South Whidbey Island |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acreage |
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public Benefits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
wildlife habitat, wetlands & streams, working farmland, aquifer recharge, scenic views |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust recently submitted a request for 2007 Island County Conservation Futures Funds for Useless Bay East.
Approval of this grant will allow protection of an agricultural property that is a critical part of the Deer Lagoon/Useless Bay ecosystem (“Deer Lagoon”). This ecosystem has been identified by federal, state and local agencies and conservation groups as a high priority for protection for fish and wildlife habitat, especially for raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl and other water dependent birds. The Deer Lagoon system includes the most extensive estuarine marsh on Whidbey IslandThe property’s agricultural fields and freshwater wetlands are heavily used by wildlife and represent an important habitat element missing from the adjacent protected lands at Deer Lagoon. Protection here is a significant issue because biologists indicate that conversion of agricultural fields is a major factor in the loss of species from an area. For example, Northern Harriers, which nest in the nearby Deer Lagoon wetlands, require agricultural fields in order to hunt and feed on the mice and voles found there.
Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
