Whatcom County's population has increased significantly in the last two decades, resulting in an increased loss of our working lands. In order to protect our vital farmland, Whatcom County established the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program in 2002. The program expanded in 2018 to also protect working forestland and important ecosystem areas as secondary goals, with the primary focus on farmland preservation.
The PDR program is a voluntary program that compensates property owners for the value of their unused development rights and protects the land through the placement of permanent conservation easements. Conservation easements are perpetual contract agreements where a landowner agrees to protect the values present within the property, such as working farmlands, working forestlands, and important ecosystems. By protecting these areas we are protecting local economies and local ecosystems for current and future generations.
Since the program's inception, over 1,300 acres throughout Whatcom County have been protected.
The program is guided by an oversight committee composed of farmers, local citizens and business people. As we continue to protect valuable natural areas and working lands, the oversight committee focuses on six conservation goals (see below). These goals serve as a framework to ensure the program is focused on protecting lands that provide the greatest community and public benefit.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the PDR Program, please contact us today to learn more.
Date | Agenda | Minutes |
---|---|---|
February 26, 2021 | Agenda | Minutes |
February 10, 2021- Special Meeting | Agenda | Minutes |
January 22, 2021 | Agenda | Minutes |
December 4, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
October 23, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
September 25, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
August 28, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
June 26, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
March 27, 2020 | Cancelled | |
February 28, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
January 24, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
December 13, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
November 1, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
Burr Neely, chair | Paul Schissler |
Jagjiwan Brar, vice-chair | Heather MacKay-Brown |
Sean D'Agnolo | Jen Glyzinski |
VACANT |