Project Story

Whidbey Institute Easement – balancing land conservation with institutional goals

The Whidbey Institute (formerly the Chinook Learning Center) was founded in 1972 on an abandoned 7.5 acre Finnish homestead. Over the years, additional land was acquired until the Whidbey Institute reached 72 acres in the early 1990s. One of the major acquisitions occurred in the mid-80s when a grant from the Tides Foundation enabled the Whidbey Institute to purchase 34 acres with the condition that the land be protected from development and that a school be built. After much research on the many possible ways to accomplish land protection, the Whidbey Institute decided that a conservation easement held by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust was the best option.

The easement enabled the Whidbey Institute to retain title to the land and was tailored to achieve both conservation and organizational goals. To accomplish these dual goals, portions of the land were categorized as either “natural forest” or “educational.” The easement stipulates different conditions for each. As a general condition, however, the easement expressly prohibits subdivision, timber harvesting and any commercial or industrial development except in the educational area. There, only activities consistent with the institution’s non profit status and conducted in furtherance of its mission may occur. Further restrictions prohibiting construction or surface alterations of any kind were placed within the natural forest area.

Two tributaries of the Maxwelton Stream originate on Whidbey Institute land. Bit by bit, lots have been cleared and houses built around the property. Thanks to this conservation easement, a large tract of undeveloped forest remains forever. And, history has shown that the Chinook easement became the seed point on South Whidbey for watershed and forest preservation.