Farming for Wildlife in Skagit County, Washington

 
 

Country

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Organization

The Nature Conservancy

 

Course(s)

None

 

Tags

 

Overview

Balancing the needs for agriculture and threatened wildlife is a complex issue that many rural communities now face.  Conservationists and farmers have often found themselves at opposite sides of a debate on how best to use limited land resources. Recently it has been increasingly recognized that common ground does exist among agricultural and conservation interests, and that intersections between the needs of biodiversity and local farmers can be used to advance their mutual interests.  One such collaborative effort is underway in Skagit County, Washington, helping to end a decades-long pattern of farmer vs. conservationist in the region.

 

Course Materials

 Download Video (Quicktime format) Download Case Study (PDF format)
 

Effects of Flooding on Pathogens

 2012-02-02
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 2012-02-02
 
 
 

Course Questions

  1. Question #9

    J. Herring

    Environment, Sustainability and Society

    Dalhousie University

    May 24, 2012 at 3:36 pm
     
     

    What are the other projects similar to FFW currently in place in the West Coast? (TNC knows there is the Walking Wetlands program and another similar program in the Central Valley of California; there may be others). What are the general similarities and differences in the approaches of these programs?

    • Question #12

      T. Johnson

      May 24, 2012 at 3:58 pm
       
       

      Here is my groups response. Please let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!
      Answer to Skagit Question.doc

  2. Question #10

    J. Herring

    Environment, Sustainability and Society

    Dalhousie University

    May 24, 2012 at 3:36 pm
     
     

    How can TNC modify the FFW approach to provide habitat for other species such as salmon, and to increase water quality or other ecological benefits? In other words, how could TNC increase the positive ecological impact of the FFW wetlands? (this would include a lit review: e.g. have wetlands been created for salmon and/or to increase water quality in the past? What were the elements of success for those projects? Are these similar to what TNC has done to provide shorebird habitat, or are they different?)

  3. Question #11

    J. Herring

    Environment, Sustainability and Society

    Dalhousie University

    May 24, 2012 at 3:36 pm
     
     

    Where are other places in the West Coast that could most benefit from a FFW-style project? To be a good candidate, these areas must be important for birds and have a large agricultural presence. They would be areas that were originally wetlands that were drained to be used for agriculture. (students could look for maps that show where wetlands have been lost to agriculture and which of those places are likely to be most important for birds)

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