Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve

Join the Citizen Stewardship Committee for the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve!

Please email Maddie Foutch at mfoutch@pugetsound.org if you are interested in joining or learning more!

Location: This reserve encompasses 296 acres in the Strait of Georgia, on the western shores of Whatcom County. It is bordered on the north by Birch Bay State Park and on the south by the Lummi Indian Nation Reservation.

Photo from DNR

Unique Ecosystem Characteristics:

• Bird Populations: Cherry Point is considered one of 18 significant bird habitats in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Georgia Strait and provides foraging and resting grounds for resident and migratory shorebirds. Adjacent to the reserve is a great blue heron rookery, with an estimated 300+ nests.

• Fish Populations: Cherry Point supports a myriad of fish species including five species of salmon (including several listed as endangered), several trout species, forage fish and many ground fish. Cherry Point supports one of eighteen Puget Sound spawning stocks of Pacific herring and is considered in ‘critical’ condition. These forage fish constitute a major portion of the diets of salmon, seabirds, marine mammals, and other fish.

• Macro Algae in various densities cover a large portion of Cherry Point.  These habitats are an essential part of the food chain, providing feeding, spawning, hiding and resting areas for a variety of fish, birds, and invertebrates.

Photo from DNR

History: The reserve was designated in 2000 and the management plan and Commissioner’s Order for Cherry point was signed in 2010.

Partner Organization: RE Sources for Sustainable Communities (http://www.re-sources.org/)

Citizen Stewardship Committee Area (coming soon)

For more information about the reserve or how to get involved email Maddie Foutch at mfoutch@pugetsound.org or Wendy Steffensen at wendys@re-sources.org