WICD
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Your local resource hub

Whidbey Island Conservation District has been a leader for over 50 years in natural resource conservation education and technical assistance to Whidbey Island residents. We provide localized knowledge, educational resources, and financial assistance to our community. To learn about each of our natural resource program offerings, select from the list of core programs in the menu, or contact us to speak with a staff member and learn more. 

Conservation Planning

We have a unique niche in the community as trained conservation planners and are committed to helping the island's residents and natural resources thrive. What exactly is conservation planning and how does it benefit you and your land? Conservation planning helps you "read your landscape" to learn about your land's soil, water, air, plant, animal, economic, and energy capabilities and limitations.

Our planners follow the 9-steps of conservation planning with you, at your own pace. Learn more about the history of conservation planning.

By working with one of our conservation planners, you can improve your natural resource management decision making skills, address natural resource problems occurring on your land, identify relevant opportunities for more effective management decisions, and clearly define and align your land use goals with tangible possibilities on the land in a realistic timeframe. The planning process encourages you to address your challenges and opportunities from a complete system approach.

Conservation plans are documents developed jointly by the Conservation District and land managers. Conservation plans include actions that land managers can take to achieve their land use goals while protecting water and other natural resources. The planning process takes into consideration the size of the parcel, type of soils, slope of the land, proximity to streams or water bodies, type of livestock or crops, and resources such as machinery, buildings and available finances.

Conservation planners look at changes that can be made to improve health and productivity while reducing impacts on natural resources. Some examples include stream-side fencing, riparian plantings, gutters and downspouts, rain gardens, composting manure, pasture management and renovation, weed management techniques, creating sacrifice areas, and rotation of livestock. Planners can help answer your questions, provide technical guidance, and recommend additional help such as financial assistance.

Once the land manager has decided which changes they’d like to make on their property, they work with their planner to set a tentative implementation schedule. Revisions of the schedule and the plan can be made as the goals and needs of the land manager change. All aspects of conservation planning services provided by WICD are free of charge and without obligation as WICD is a non-regulatory, non-enforcement agency.

We look forward to introducing you to this process! Request assistance to get started.
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Getting Started 

  • ​How to Be A Conservation Partner
  • Nearshore Living Manual - Tips for Managing Your Property on Whidbey Island
  • Tips for Puget Sound Rural Living
Learn about our Conservation Planning process
Office Hours:
COVID-19 Response: Our office is currently closed to visitors, and our staff is primarily working remotely. 
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Coupeville, WA
Office Location: 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, WA

Office Phone: 360-678-4708
General Email: wicd[at]whidbeycd.org
REQUEST ASSISTANCE
CHECK OUT EVENTS & WEBINARS
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Next Monthly Board Meeting:
Regular Board Meeting:
​Thursday, March 2, 2023, 9am - Noon

Contact us for remote meeting information.
  • Board meetings are open to the public
  • Learn more about our board supervisors
  • Upcoming and past board meeting dates
  • Past meeting minutes & agendas ​​
Picture
  • Home
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Meet the Team
    • Goals & Accomplishments
  • Programs
    • Events & Education
    • Cost Share
    • Farm & Ranch
    • Forest >
      • Firewise
    • Habitat
    • Water
  • Resource Hub
    • Historical Maps