Staying Together, Apart

Even as our lives seem turned upside down and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, the permanence of the land and the inspiration that it gives us are comforting. Spending time outdoors is a perfect antidote to feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and isolation. Our properties and other parks and open space offer tangible alternatives to home containment. Visiting these places gives us a bit of certainty in uncertain times.  
 
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Whatcom Land Trust is altering our daily routines due to the need for a strong community response. The health and safety of our volunteers, members, supporters, staff and partners is paramount, as is the public health of our communities, particularly those most vulnerable to this illness.

Our office in Bellingham will be closed to the general public until at least April 30th.  However, we will be continuing our work. Staff members will be working remotely or on an altered schedule at the office or will be in the field. Mail will be processed. If you have a question or are working on a project with any of us, please keep in touch by email or phone. We are focused on achieving our mission and accomplishing great things during this challenging time. Please see the staff contact information.

All of our events, including work parties and April’s Field Friday have been cancelled through April 16th. We are considering alternatives to our May 30th Spring Benefit, our biggest party of the year. We will reassess in April how to proceed with our scheduled events, keeping the safety of others at the forefront of our decision making. Check our website to stay updated. We love working with our volunteers and supporters, and can’t wait to host events again when it is safe to do so! Don’t let these cancellations and postponements discourage you, and still get outside for fresh air away from people. Now that spring is here, there is a lot to explore and be grateful for, and certainly plenty of weeds to tackle! We also want to stay involved with our Land Trust family, if you have a fun experience on a Land Trust protected property we would love for you to send in pictures or videos here! Please see additional precautions below.

Stay well, enjoy the outdoors and know that you are ALL connected to each other as members of the Land Trust family.

Sincerely,

Gabe Epperson, MPA
Executive Director

Taking Precautions

Right now the best way to come together is to stay apart. Staying away from people doesn’t have to mean staying in your house though! Take this time of uncertainty to slow down and appreciate the natural world and all it has to offer us. 

Please remember to take precautions and follow social distancing practices even on trails. There’s plenty of room to stay six feet apart in the outdoors! Here are some tips for getting out while staying safe:

• Stay local – by staying close to home, you minimize the risk of spreading the virus to other communities.
• Limit stops – bringing your own lunch and snacks means you don’t have to stop along the way and expose yourself or others to COVID-19
• Avoid groups – while going hiking with your friends is fun, try to avoid close proximity to those who you aren’t already in close contact with such as immediate family members or roommates. 
• If you have any symptoms stay home – even if you aren’t sure you have COVID-19 or the symptoms are mild, staying home and away from others is crucial to containing the spread of the virus

No matter what, we hope you all stay safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of Whatcom County.