NEWS & Publications

​At the district, we are always working on ways to get the word out about conservation practices, resources, benefits, and services. ​

• We partner with Island County Noxious Weed Program to put out a seasonal Invasive Species Story Map to let you know which noxious weeds to look out for and manage each season
• The Whidbey Weekly's monthly Make a Difference column is a collaboration of our staff and partners on a wide variety of conservation topics
• Check out our video series on YouTube
• WICD Historical Mapping Project digitized our library of historical maps from around the island

Resource Library

Click below for helpful resources including websites, publications, and videos. Resources are nested into our most common inquiry topics, and sub-topics. 

Tip: use your browser’s “find” or “search” function to search for a keyword of interest after opening a subject tab.

​GETTING STARTED

• How to Be A Conservation Partner
• Living Responsibly in Your Community
• Tips for Puget Sound Rural Living
• ​​10 Ways Conservation Districts Can Help You

Farm & Agriculture

Working with the Conservation District & USDA​​

• Farm Planning Overview
• Small Scale Solutions for Your Farm
• USDA's NRCS Five Steps to Assistance
• ​​Puget Sound Conservation Districts Small Acreage Farm Services
• Conservation At a Glance​
• Farmer's Guide to Farm Bill Programs

​Cover Cropping & Crop Rotation

• Cover Cropping Compilation from WSU & OSU
• Cover Up with a Winter Cover Crop
• Crop Rotation on Organic Farms
• Managing Cover Crops Profitably​​

Insect Management & Pollinators

• Farming with Pollinators
• Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide for Organic Farms
• Pollinator Plants of the Maritime Northwest
• Managing Insects on Your Farm
• Insect Management Handbook
• Bee Precaution Pesticide Ratings​

​Renewable Energy Programs & Resources for Farms

• USDA Rural Energy for America Program
• ​Puget Sound Energy Resources​
• ​Puget Sound Energy Commercial Small Business Resources

Water Management - Testing, Irrigation, Catchment

• ​Analytical Laboratories Directory for Water Quality Testing
• ​Cisterns for Rainwater Catchment
• ​Rainwater Collection Rules & Calculators - WA Dept. of Ecology
• Managing Irrigation Water
• Basics of Vegetable Crop Irrigation
  
• Drip Irrigation for Your Yard & Garden
• Determining Your Irrigation Schedule
• ​AgWeatherNet Irrigation Scheduler Mobile
• Irrigation Management Online Tool
• ​Troy Peters contact - WSU Extension Irrigation Specialist
• Irrigation Fundamentals - WSU Extension, Troy Peters Slides
• Maintaining Drip Irrigation Systems

Water Rights​

• Washington Water Rights Introduction
• Landowners Guide to Washington Water Rights
• Washington Water Rights Map
• New Water Right Application & Permits
• Request for Info on Existing Water Right​​

​Getting Started on Your Farm​

• WSDA Handbook for Small and Direct Market Farms
• ​​Livestock Management & Water Quality
• Standard Livestock Facility Drawings – Fences, Water Troughs, etc.
• Fence Planning for Horses
• Fencing Considerations for Livestock Owners
• WSU AgWeatherNet
• Island County Zoning (Land Use) Code Chapter 17.03 
  • User Guide, Definitions, Land Use Standards, Critical Areas
• Tax Incentives for Ag Land​
• ​Farmers.gov - USDA
• WorkSource WA Farmworker Assistance
• PSE Small Business Energy Efficiency Programs

​Succession & Transfer Strategies 

• Estate Planning & Succession Resources (Draper Law LLC & Karen Bishop)
• Farmland Succession Guidebook (California FarmLink)
• Successful Farm Transfer Guide for Farmers Without a Designated Successor (Land for Good)
• The Farmland Transfer Process (Land for Good)
• Where Do I Start? Transferring the Farm Guide (Land for Good)
• ​Planning the Future of Your Farm: A Workbook Supporting Specialty Crop Farm Transfer Decisions (WSCC Office of Farmland Preservation)

Farmland Conservation

• Model Conservation Easement with Option to Purchase (Equity Trust)
• Farms for Farmers (Equity Trust) ​
• Conservation and Affordability of Working Lands: Nine Case Studies of Land Trusts Working with Next-Generation Farmers (CA Farmlink)
• Beyond Easements: Broader Approaches for Greater Conservation Outcomes (Conservation Finance Network)
• Whidbey Camano Land Trust
• Washington Farmland Trust

​​Whidbey Island Growers Association Resources

• Webinar on Washington Farm and Food Finger Tool from Eat Local First.
• Webinar on Agroforestry Options for Small Farms.
• Webinar on Selling to Wholesale Customers
• Webinar on Seed Production & Locally Adapted Seeds
• Webinar on Ag Resiliency & Climate Change
• Webinar on Common Vegetable Diseases
• Webinar resources on Cover Crops
• Webinar on the Whidbey Island Grown Food-Hub​​

beginning Farmers

Starting a Farm

• Toolbox for Farm Seekers
• Cultivating the Next Generation: Resources & Policies to Help Beginning Farmers Succeed in Agriculture (American Farmland Trust)
• ​Finding, Assessing, and Securing Farmland: A Plain Language Guide
  
• ​​USDA's New Farmer Getting Started Resource Page
• Crops, Plants, and More - Learning About Farming 

Finding Land

• Access to Farmland Webinar - WA Farmland Trust & WSU Extension
• Farm to Farmer 
• ​​​​Acquiring Land to Farm Guide 
• ​How to Present Yourself to a Landowner
• Acquiring Your Farm 

Leasing Land

• ​Elements of a Good Farm Lease 
• Farmland Leasing: Success for Landlords & Tenants Fact Sheet 
• ​Farmland Tenure and Leasing Legal Guide 
• Lease to Own Factsheet 
• Agricultural Cash Lease Basic Template - California FarmLink
• ​The Landowners Guide to Sustainable Farm Leases  - Drake University Agricultural Law Center
• ​Model Agriculture Ground Lease Agreement - Equity Trust
• Model Ground Lease Commentary - Equity Trust
• Sample Short-term Lease Agreement - Land for Good

Funding Resources

• WSU Grant Resources Page
• AFT Brighter Futures Fund
• National Young Farmers
• ​Beg. Farmer Funding & Financing Options
• Beg. Farmer Financing Strategies
• ​Direct Farm Ownership & Operating Loans
• ​Credit & Capital for New Farmers
• ​Crowd Sourcing for New Farmers
• ​Beginning Farmer Loan Programs - USDA
• Guide to Farm Service Agency Farm Loans -USDA
• Land Contract Guarantee Program -USDA​​
• Food Animal Concerns Trust
• WA State Organic and Sustainable Farming Fund

Training Programs

• Organic Farm School
• Viva Farms
• Growing Veterans
• Washington State University Cultivating Success Program
• Oregon State University Small Farm School
• ATTRA's Farm Internships Directory
• ATTRA Video Library
• Cornell Online Farmer Courses​

Marketing Resources​

• WSDA Handbook for Small and Direct Market Farms
• ​USDA Wholesale Markets and Facility Design Assistance
• ​Bayview Farmers Market
• South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market
• Langley Friday Street Market
• The Whidbey Island Farmers Market 
• Whidbey Makers Market
• Whidbey Island Grown
• Washington Food & Farm Finder
• Goosefoot
• Slow Food Whidbey Island
• Northwest Agriculture Business Center 
• Food Business Resource Center - NW Business Impact

Support Organizations

• WSU Extension Island County Food Systems
• South Whidbey Tilth 
• Organic Farm School
• Tilth Alliance
• American Farmland Trust - Farmland Info Center 
• ATTRA - A national sustainable agriculture assistance program, developed & managed by NCAT
• Equity Trust
• Land for Good
• National Young Farmers Coalition

Business & Farm Planning Tools

• WSU Extension Cultivating Success Program 
• ATTRA Holistic Management: A Whole Farm Decision Making Framework
• AgPlan Business Planning Template
• Food Business Resource Center
• Farm Business Plan Template from Agri-Business
• Agricultural Business Planning Templates & Resources
• Northwest Agriculture Business Center (based out of Mt. Vernon nearby) – Business Planning Services
• Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses
• Business Planning Tools – King County
• Example Whole Farm Plan: Market Garden
• ​Example Whole Farm Plan: Raw Milk Dairy

livestock & Pasture

Pasture Management

• Pasture & Hayland Renovation
• Haymaking on the Westside
• ​​Managing Healthy Pastures Guide from Clallam CD
• ​Pasture & Livestock Essentials
• Pasture Calendar for Oregon & Washington
• ​Nutrient Management for Pastures - Western OR & WA
• ​Pasture Fertilizer Guide
• The Low-Down on Lime
• Common Forage Grass ID (for the NE US, but also applicable here)
• Common WA & OR Grasses, Legumes & Forbs
• Fall Pasture Management
• Late Summer - Fall Pasture Tips
• ​Pasture Weed Control
• Fall Pasture Management Video
• ​Matching Hay Quality with Animal Nutrient Requirements

Grazing Systems

• Paddock Design, Fencing, & Water Systems for Controlled Grazing
• Balancing Your Animals with Your Forage
• ​​Grazing Stick Instructions & Video
• Pasture for Profit - A Guide to Rotational Grazing
• ​Estimating Initial Stocking Rates
• Determining the Grazing Capacity of Your Pasture
• ​USDA's Animal Unit Equivalents & Pasture Production Info
• ​Weights & Measures of Common Feed
• Grazing Plan Workbook & Manual
• Designing a Grazing System
• Rotational Grazing
• ​Benefits of Multi-Species Grazing
• ​Ruminant Nutrition for Graziers
• OSU Intro to Pasture and Grazing Management Online Course

Meat Processing

• NABC Poultry Processing Equipment Rental
• Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Assistance
• Beginners Guide to Local Meat Processing​
• ​USDA Wholesale Markets and Facility Design Assistance​

Mud & Manure Management

• Manure Application Risk Management
• Mud & Manure Management Resources for Small Farms
  
• ​​​Small Farm Composting Guide
• ​Manure Application Risk Management Tool for WA
• ​Sampling Manure & Compost for Nutrient Analysis
• Certified Manure Testing Labs Directory - Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture ​
• ​​Managing Small Acreage Horse Farms
• Sacrifice Areas
• Track Paddocks
• Constructing a Heavy Use Area Guide
• ​​​Example Heavy Use Area Design
• ​​Bedding and Manure Management
• How to Create Mud Free Livestock Areas - OSU Extension
• What is an Animal Waste Management Plan?​
  
• Rural Property Prep Webinar Resources

​​​Livestock Management

• Sound Horse Keeping Video Series
• WSU Extension Livestock Advisor Program
• ​Healthy Horses, Clean Water - A Comprehensive Guide
• ​Livestock Resources for Small Farms - OSU
• Sheep & Goats Resources
• ​Poultry & Rabbits Resources
• Beef Cattle Resources
• ​Dairy Resources
• Pigs/​Swine Resources
• Commercial Fishing, Crabbing & Clamming Resources
• Living on the Land - Pasture & Livestock Essentials
• Living on the Land - Winter Livestock Care​​

Livestock Health & Wellness

• Protect Your Horses & Livestock from Toxic Plants
• ​​Livestock Resources for Small Farms - OSU​
• Integrated Parasite Management for Livestock
• WSDA Livestock Disposal Manual

Soil & Erosion

Soil Testing 

• ​Soil Testing & Soil Improvement Resource List
• Webinar: Soils & Geology of Our Area
• Soil Sampling Basics One-Pager
• The How-To of Soil Sampling - WSU Extension Puyallup​
• ​​Learning About Soil Texture Exercise
• Soil Sample Collection Guide
• Soil Test Interpretation Guide
• ​​Soil Testing & Soil Improvement Resource List
• Soil Testing Labs - Performance Assessment Program Approved Directory
• Sampling Manure & Compost for Nutrient Analysis
• ​NRCS Soil Fundamentals​

Erosion Control

• Native Plants for Soil Stabilization
• ​Role of Vegetation in Slope Stability
• ​Erosion Control Fabric
• ​Trees & Shrubs for Erosion Control OSU

• ​Controlling Erosion​​

Soil Building

• Certified Manure Testing Labs Directory - Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture 
• ​​​​Small Farm Composting Guide
• ​Manure Application Risk Management Tool for WA
• Introduction to Web Soil Survey Resources
• Soil Fertility in Organic Systems 
• ​Home Gardener's Guide to Soils & Fertilizers
• ​Building Soils for Better Crops
• ​Soil Fertlity Guide
• ​Improving Garden Soil
• ​Fertilizing with Manure
• ​Guide to Soils & Fertilizers
• ​Home Gardener's Guide to Soils & Fertilizers
• ​Worm Bin Basics - WSU Extension
• ​EZ Worm Bin Guide

ORCHARD & AGROFORESTRY

Orchard

• Irrigation Scheduling for Orchards
• Fruit Handbook for Western Washington
• Fruit Tree Pruning - The Basics
• Training & Pruning Your Home Orchard
• Other Information for Backyard Orchardists
• Soil Biota in Orchards
• ​Organic Pest Management in Fruit Trees & Berry Bushes
• Common Tree Fruit FAQs
• Washington State University Extension Hortsense "Tree Fruits" Factsheets 
• ​WSU Extension Fertilization Requirements for Home Orchards
• Western Washington Tree Fruit & Alternative Fruits
• Northwest Fruit (Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation)
• ​Western Cascade Fruit Society
• Washington State University Extension Gardening in Washington State "Fruits" Resource Library
• ​Organic Pest & Disease Management in Home Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes
• ​Pest Management Guide for Apples in Washington Home Orchards

Agroforestry & Silvopasture

• Agroforestry Factsheet
• Silvopasture Factsheet
• Agroforestry: Enhancing Resiliency in U.S. Ag Landscapes Under Changing Conditions
• Savanna Institute Agroforestry Resources
• Trees Against the Wind - Establishment of Windbreaks
• ​A Guide to Hedgerows

WEEDS & INVASIVE SPECIES

• ​​Noxious Weed Disposal
• Island County Noxious Weed Control Board
• Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
• PNW Weed Management Handbook
• Pasture Weed Control
• Protect Your Horses & Livestock from Toxic Plants​

FOREST STEWARDSHIP

Consultant Directories

• DNR Find your Forester
• WSU Extension Forestry Consulting Directory
• WSU Extension Forestry Small Scale Sawmill Directory
• WSU Extension Forester & Silvicultural Contractors Directory
• USDA ​Agriculture & Forestry Professionals Directory
• PNW International Society of Arboriculture Arborist Directory​​​
• ​Things to Consider When Choosing a Qualified Arborist

Forest Management 

• ​​​WSU Extension Forestry Resources Library by Topic​
• Forest Stewardship Workbook
• MyLandPlan.org - Create your own forest plan, all stored online!
• ​Guidelines for Timber Management Plans
• Designated Forest Land Program Requirements
• Backyard Forestry in Western WA
• WA Tree Farm Certification Program
• American Forest Foundation
  

Forest Health

• WSU's Current Forest Health Issues in Western Washington Webinar
• ​WSU's Root Disease Webinar
• Assessing Tree Health
• Washington DNR Forest Insect & Disease Resources
• ​WA DNR Forest Health & Resiliency Division
• ​WA DNR Forest Health Assistance for Small Landowners
• Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook
• WSU Extension Forestry Disease Library
• ​​​Laminated Root Rot in Western North America - Management Strategies
• ​Pacific NW International Society of Arboriculture's December 2020 Directory for Washington
• Webinar: Have You Checked Your Trees Lately?​​

Biochar

• Learn How to Make Char with San Juan Island's "Forage"​
• The Case for Biochar (page 4) in South Whidbey Tilth's Winter 2020 Newsletter
• Biochar as a Climate Solution Video
• Biochar Production for Forestry, Farms & Communities
• Biochar Market Anaylsis for San Juan County & the PNW
• US Biochar Initiative Resource Center
• Burn: Using Fire to Cool the Earth
• Example biochar businesses: Oregon Biochar Solutions & Pacific Biochar

Reforestation

• ​Successful Reforestation: An Overview
• ​​​The Care & Planting of Tree Seedlings on Your Woodland
• Planting Forest Seedlings
• ​Tree Seed Transfer Zones - What Are They & Why Should I Care?
• ​​​​Seedlot Selection GIS Mapping Tool

Silviculture - Conifers

• ​Silviculture for Washington Family Forests
• Ron's Top 10 Musts for a Successful Timber Sale
• ​​Thinning: An Important Timber Management Tool​
• ​​​Guidelines for Precommercial Thinning of Douglas Fir
• ​A Primer on Timber Harvest
• Managing a Timber Sale
• ​Tree Growth, Forest Management & Implications on Wood Quality
• ​​​Beyond Old Growth: Older Forests in a Changing World
• ​WA Dept. of Natural Resources Forest Practices Illustrated Guide​​

Silviculture - Hardwoods

• ​Hardwood Management Resources
• ​Hardwood Siviculture Cooperative
• ​Red Alder - A State of Knowledge
• Management Options for Declining Red Alder Forests

​​​Wildlife

• WDFW Living with Wildlife Resources
• ​Westside Douglas Fir Forests & Wildlife
• ​Diversifying Forest Structure to Promote Wildlife Biodiversity​
• ​​​WDFW Wildlife Rehabilitators Page

Climate Adaptations

• Intro to Climate Adaptation Resources white paper
• Climate Adaptation Resources
• Video Presentations from ​​Northwest Natural Resource Group's Climate Adaptation Strategies for Pacific Northwest Forests​
• ​Drought Stress for Western Washington Trees
• Reducing Fire Risk on Your Forest Property

NATIVE PLANTS & HABITAT 

Learn about Native Species

• ​Western Washington Native Plants
• ​WICD's Native Plant Book List
• ​​Edible Native Plant Book List
• Rules for Foraging on Public Lands (2016)
• ​WICD's Native Plant Activity Cards
• ​Right Plant, Right Place
• ​​​Island County Plant Lists
• ​​Washington Native Plant Society
• ​Sound Native Plants Fact Sheets
• ​​Grow Native: Native Plant Database​​​
• Understanding Native Plants by Height

Gardening with Natives

• ​WSU Master Gardener HortSense
• ​WSU Island County Master Gardeners
• ​​​WSU Extension Native Plant Landscaping

• Northwest Native Plant Guide
• ​Conservation Landscaping​
• ​Landscaping in the Pacific Northwest
• ​Gardening with Purpose
• ​5 Steps to Natural Yard Care
• Bare Root Planting Guide​​
• Cutting Propagation Methods PNW
• ​Live Stakes
• Salvage Tips from Sound Native Plants

Maintenance

• Natural Yard Care
• Living Responsibly in Your Community
• Drip Irrigation for your Yard and Garden
• Mulch Basics
• ​WSU Guide to Mulches
• Alternative Pest Management for Lawn & Garden​
• Understanding Microclimates in Your Yard
• Garden Microclimate Site Evaluation​​

Drought Tolerant

• Drought Tolerant Landscaping in WA
• Water Wise Gardening​

​​Lawn Alternatives

• ​A Complete List of Lawn Alternatives
• ​Groundcovers vs. Lawns
• Turf Alternatives​​​

Pollinators

• Promoting Pollinators
• ​Pollinator Plants: Maritime NW Region
• Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed
• ​Native Plants that Attract Bees
• ​4 Principles to Help Bees & Butterflies
• Pollinator Conservation: PNW
• ​Hedgerow Planting for Pollinators
• Earthcorps Native Pollinator Habitat Restoration Guide

Birds and Wildlife

• Planting for Birds
• ​Audubon - Why Native Plants Matter
• ​Bird Friendly Winter Gardens
• Whidbey Audubon Society
• WDFW Living with Wildlife
• WDFW Wildlife Rehabilitators Page
• ​Landscape Planning for Wildlife
• ​​Attracting Wildlife​
• Deer-resistant plants list ​
  
• USFS Partners for Fish and Wildlife​​

Wetlands & Riparian Areas

• Native Plants for Wet Sites
• Wetland Planting List
• Homeowners Guide to Wetlands & Buffers
• ​At Home with Wetlands
• ​Wetland Stewardship
• ​Planting & Caring for Trees & Shrubs in Home Wetlands
• WA DOE Aquatic Plant Manual
• ​Common Emergent Plant Species
• More Emergent Plant Species
• ​Ponds & Aquariums Plant List
• ​Aquatic Vegetation Management & Control

Hedgerows & Screens 

• WSU Selecting for Screens
• ​Planting an Edible Hedge
• ​Windbreaks & Snow fences
• How About a Hedgerow?
• Benefits of Hedgerows
• How to Build a Hedgerow
• Hedgerow Factsheet​

 ​WA Glacial Outwash Prairies

• Prairie Landowner Guide for Western WA 

STORMWATER & DRAINAGE

• Improving Drainage for Small Acreage
• After the Storm: A Citizen's Guide
• Our Islands, Our Water, Our Future
• Living Responsibly in Your Community
• ​Solving Drainage & Erosion: Homeowners Guide
• ​Tulalip Tribes: Rainwater Management
• Stormwater Best Management Practices
• ​Water Quality Swales
• ​Water Saving Tips
• WA Stormwater Center
  

​​​​​Permeable Pavement

• What is Permeable Pavement?
• Soak Up the Rain

Rain Garden Basics

• What is a Rain Garden?
• Rain Garden Handbook of Western WA
• ​WSU Rain Garden Basics
• Rain Garden Construction Checklist
• Rain Garden Maintenance
• ​​Native Plants for Rain Gardens
  

Rain Water Collection

• ​Rainwater Collection - WA DOE
• ​Rainwater Use It or Lose It
• ​Build Your Own Rain Barrel​

WETLANDS, LAKES & STREAMS

Getting Started with Wetlands on Your Property

• ​Island County Planning Critical Areas Homepage
• ​Island County Critical Areas Code - Municode
• List of Qualified Environmental Consultants for Wetlands Work
• ​​Island County - What are wetlands?
• ​Types of Wetlands in Island County
• WA Dept. of Ecology Homeowners Guide to Wetlands & Buffers
• ​​WA Dept. of Ecology At Home with Wetlands​
• WA Dept. of Ecology Exploring Wetland Stewardship
• WA Dept. of Ecology Hiring a Wetland Professional
• ​Society of Wetland Scientists Database
• ​Habitat Restoration Demystified Workshop Presentations​
• ​Best Available Science for Wetlands of Island County
• ​Constructing Wetland Boardwalks & Trails

Native Wetland Plants

• Native Plants for Wet Sites
• Wetland Planting List
• ​Planting & Caring for Trees & Shrubs in Home Wetlands
• ​WA DOE Aquatic Plant Manual
• ​Common Emergent Plant Species
• More Emergent Plant Species
• ​​Ponds & Aquariums Plant List
• ​Aquatic Vegetation Management & Control​​

 ​Beaver Management

• Beavers Northwest Q & A Sheet 2018
• Living with Beavers: Successful Beaver Management Techniques
• Your Neighborhood Beaver: Friend or Foe
• ​Beavers Northwest Technical Assistance

​​​​​Streams

• WDFW Stream Habitat Restoration Guidelines

BLUFF & SHORELINE 

High Bank & Bluff Properties

• 7 Ways to Set Your Shoreline Up for Success
• Island County Shore Friendly Program
• ​Island County Planning Dept. Contact Us
• ​WSU Island County Shore Stewards Program
• Vegetation Management for Bluffs
• ​Role of Vegetation in Slope Stability
• ​Trees & Shrubs for Erosion Control OSU​​
• Native Plants for Soil Stabilization
• ​Steep Slopes Native Plants for Erosion Control
• ​Sample Planting Plans
• ​Erosion Control Fabric​
• Prevegetation Coir Logs for Erosion Control
• Best Management Practices Using Geotextiles and other Erosion Control Fabrics in Soil Stabilization Projects​

Low Bank & Shoreline Properties

• Island County Shore Friendly Program
• ​Island County Planning Dept. Contact Us
• ​WSU Island County Shore Stewards Program
• Sound Water Stewards 
• NW Straits Shoreline Landowner Resources
• ​​Shore Stewards Guide to Shoreline Living​
• Your Marine Waterfront
• ​WA DOE Aquatic Plant Manual
• ​Soft Shoreline Stabilization
• ​Salt-Spray Tolerant Landscaping​
• ​LakeWise Shoreline Planting Guide
• Native Plants for Marine Waterfronts
• Marine Shoreline Plant Species
• ​Marine Planting List​
• Sample Planting Plans
• ​​​Aquatic Vegetation Management & Control

WATER UTILITIES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Local Groundwater & Island County Hydrogeology

• Island County Hydrogeology Homepage
• ​Island County Groundwater Publications Library
• Island County Interactive Well-Viewer Map
• ​Island County Groundwater Spatial Analysis Tool
• ​Island County Seawater Intrusion Source Monitoring
• ​Island County Seawater Intrusion Risk Map
• ​NAS Whidbey PFAS Investigation

Drinking Water 

• Island County Drinking Water Homepage
• ​WA Dept. of Health Drinking Water Homepage
• Whidbey Island Water Systems Association
• ​Whidbey Island Water Systems Association Resources
• Private Well Water: Coliform Bacteria & Nitrate Information for Private Well Users
• WaterOperator - Resource Library​​​

Septic Systems

• Island County Onsite Sewage Systems Homepage
• ​Hiring a Professional - Septic Systems
• Island County Septic System Class Videos
• Properly Landscape a Drainfield
• ​Shore Stewards Drainfield Landscape
• Landscaping a Drainfield
• Landscaping Over Septic Drainfields
• ​List of Plants with Shallow Roots

​Septic Drainfield Landscaping

• Landscaping Septic Drain Fields: Do's and Don'ts for Planting
• Properly Landscape a Drainfield
• ​Shore Stewards Drainfield Landscape
• Landscaping a Drainfield
• Landscaping Over Septic Drainfields
• ​List of Plants with Shallow Roots

WILDFIRE ​

Wildfire Resilience

• NFPA's Virtual Workshop Series on Wildfire
• Understanding the Wildfire Threat to Homes
• Preparing Homes for Wildfire
• How to Have a Firewise™ Home
• 7 Ways to Protect Your Home

Firewise Landscaping

• ​​Firewise™ Guide to Landscape & Construction
• Firewise Construction & Landscaping Checklist
• Fire Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes
• ​When Yard Work Works for You
• ​Firewise Pruning
• Reducing Fire Risk on Your Forest Property
• ​Fire Resistant Plants - small
• ​Fire Resistant Plants - large​

Firewise USA program

• Firewise Arrives on Whidbey Island
• How to become a Firewise™ USA site
• ​NFPA Research Fact Sheet Series

Firewise Resources for Teachers & Educators

• Fire Safety Resources & Forum for Teachers

• Defend Your Home from Wildfire - DNR Region Contacts
• Active Large Wildfires Map - InciWeb​
• Burn Risk Map - DNR

​Videos

• King 5 News - Scorched Earth
• King 5 News Visits Whidbey Firewise​
• Wildfire in Western WA - WSU Webinar​
• ​Fire Resilience with Cisco Morris
• Developing a Successful Community Wildfire Preparedness Program