Habitat restoration takes many forms and shapes depending on the type of habitat desired and the limitations on the current use of the land or water. Restoring particular functions, like salmon spawning habitat,  may not fully restore a site to its former state, but adds ecological benefits that may be in short supply. 

Learn about the features of The Maxwelton Watershed.

Wetland Restoration

Wetlands are one of our most endangered habitats, and this is why there are protections for this ecosystem type. Wetlands provide critical functions from providing aquatic habitats for fish and amphibians, to storage of water to get through dry months. Wetland edges and buffers are productive habitats and provide the structure of  trees and brush for the wildlife using the wet areas. There are many techniques to improve or restore wetland function, and they all start with hydrology, but include vegetation and the right soils.

Freeland Wetland Preserve

The Freeland Wetland Preserve is an open space of approximately 45 acres located east of Freeland, WA near Newman, Double Bluff, and Scott Roads. In 2014, the Friends of Freeland, a local non-profit, donated this area to the Whidbey Watershed Stewards with the intention of conserving the area forever as open space for public education and passive recreational enjoyment.  The area consists almost exclusively of wetlands, providing a natural habitat for plants and wildlife.

Native species of wetland and riparian plants dominate the property. The Whidbey Watershed Stewards intend to protect the diverse native plant community from competition by invasive species through specific removal of these invasive species. No removal of native species or intentional alteration of the hydrology of the site is to occur. This area serves as an important habitat for bird, mammal, and amphibian species.

Whidbey Watershed Stewards maintains The Freeland Wetland Preserve property as public open space and conservation property. No alterations to the site will occur with the exception of those intended to protect public safety (dangerous tree removal), or restoration activities (invasive plant removal, replanting).

Please check out this hidden gem article from March 15th, 2024: https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/freeland-wetlands-preserve-is-a-hidden-gem/

Shoreline Restoration

Robinson Beach

In April 2013, Whidbey Watershed  Stewards adopted the Frank D. Robinson Beach Park off Mutiny Bay Rd (on Robinson Rd). Our first goal was to remove all the noxious weeds and plant, encourage native plants to “retake” the park. In the first year we removed most the large Scot’s Broom and immediately saw many of the natural plant life reestablishing its claim to the beach. More recently, we planted some shore pines and are continuing to remove undesirable plant-life as it appears. Volunteer work for the beach park occurs every few months. Contact Rick Baker if you want to get the notices.

Streamside Restoration

Salmon and other fresh water fish need cool, clean water. Our forest ecosystems typically kept streams shaded, and protected a constant water supply throughout the year that was free of sediment. Restoring shading and root structures along stream edges helps maintain the integrity of a stream. Many of our projects have focused on replanting to lower temperatures, and provide overhead protection from predators.

Outdoor Classroom

The Outdoor Classroom opened in 1997 to serve as an environmental education site for the South Whidbey School District and beyond. The property itself is a nature preserve, a safe and ecologically productive space for all resident and visiting wildlife such as deer, owls, bats, birds, and of course, salmon in the Maxwelton Creek. Our stewardship volunteers make regular efforts to maintain its ecological value with native plantings, stream monitoring, and maintenance.

The self-guided trail at the Outdoor Classroom site is open to the public year-round. We only ask that you respect the nature preserve and not disturb the wildlife and plants. Please have your dog on a leash while you walk, and pick up poop. The trail and boardwalk platforms are wheelchair accessible. A brochure at the information kiosk explains the viewpoints and the watershed system. Comments can be left in the kiosk mailbox.

Old Clinton Creek

This property was purchased by the Old Clinton Creek non-profit organization for $5,000 in 1994. Whidbey Watershed Stewards acquired the property from OCC upon its dissolution in 2010. 

Old Clinton Creek, made up mostly of nearby residents, bought this irregular parcel in 1994. It holds a rare year-round stream, hidden at the bottom of a brushy ravine. The 19th century estuary at the stream’s mouth was completely eliminated by residential shoreline development, as our current parcel’s boundaries were drawn by the placement of other lots around it  — both along the flatter ground below and along the upper edge of the creek’s ravine. An excerpt from OCC’s 501(c)(3) application in fall 1995 further describes the property: 

The property purchased by the association early in 1995 had been surrounded in recent years by expanding development around the town of Clinton, Washington. In contrast to the adjacent area, it retains natural vegetative cover and is a rich environment for native species diversity. It contains a small stream flowing into Puget Sound, an associated wetland, and the slopes on either side of the stream. The initial impetus for the association’s formation was the fact that this property had been placed on the commercial real estate market, and appeared to be in danger of losing its natural character through subsequent development or cutting of the mature trees along its edge… It is the belief of the association’s Board that the action of preserving ecological function in sensitive and environmentally rich areas is of inherent value.

The Lower Maxwelton Roadside Property

This small parcel of land is in the lower valley of Maxwelton Creek, lying to the east of Maxwelton Road and just west of what had been the creek’s main channel. Sloping from the county roadside down to what was once a tidal marshland, the site provides a good vantage point for views of the lower valley and its seasonal flows of wildlife.

Acquired by private gift in 1996 from Joseph Miller [to Chums of Maxwelton], Whidbey Watershed Stewards hosts restoration events here in attempt to return the vegetation to its most biologically stable state. 

Other Restoration Efforts

Removing Fish Blocking Culverts

One of the biggest problems for restoring salmon populations is blockages caused by damaged or collapsed culverts under roadways. These can be on private driveways, local roads or highways. Currently, Island County is prioritizing culverts that are failing with those that are blocking salmon passage.

Maxwelton Creek Alliance

WWS is represented on the Maxwelton Creek Alliance Board of Directors, formerly the Maxwelton Steering Committee.