The Aiston Preserve
History of Smugglers Cove
In 1906, the Japanese American Fish Fertilizer Company owned this land and smuggled Japanese men in to work at the fertilizer company - hence the name Smugglers Cove. Since 1933, the property has been used on and off as a rock and gravel mine. In 1948, Homer and Peggy Aiston were first to homestead the property with a small cabin on Abner Point. Peggy's journals are a treasured record of Lummi Island's early history. Kay and Lloyd Niedhamer built a home in 1968 and many recall Kay's frequent swims across Smugglers Cove to Abner Point. We will honor the history of this place by calling it the Aiston Preserve.
The Aiston Preserve Campaign
Phase I - Acquisition:
Today we have an unprecedented opportunity to protect and restore one of Lummi Island's most unique places. Located on the southeast flank of Lummi Mountain, the property encompasses 105 acres and 4,000 feet of shoreline, including Smugglers Cove. In recent years, a portion of the property was used as a rock quarry. Now we have the chance to re-vegetate the mined area with native plants and trees and restore the altered section of shoreline. Healthy and diverse plant, wildlife and tidal habitats will be protected. There are deep forests with fern covered rock outcrops and delicate mossy balds; there is an undulating, rocky shoreline with pocket beaches and eelgrass beds that are vital for young, migrating salmon; and there will be public areas for all of us to explore. Please join us in protecting this remarkable place, restoring the damaged areas and making sure that the Aiston Preserve can be enjoyed by countless generations of plants, wildlife and people ~ forever.
The Heritage Trust is currently conducting a capital campaign to complete the acquisition and restoration funding. Please consider making a generous donation today!
Creating the Aiston Preserve
Phase II - Restoration:
The Heritage Trust will partner with a number of individuals and groups including the Northwest Straits Foundation, the Department of Natural Resources, Whatcom County, The Rose Foundation, biologists and geologists to re-vegetate and reclaim the 20 acres mined area and restore about 500 feet of artificially armored shoreline used for barging during gravel mining.
Phase III - Develop Public Access:
We envision developing public access for low-impact recreation (walking, bird watching, paddling - probably not camping, horseback riding, motorized vehicles, target shooting, etc.). Community input will be an important part of helping determine the scope and possibilities for public use - however this is a ways off. The property is not open to the public at this time as we are working to address safety and liability issues. At the current time you can experience this amazing property by signing up for a LIHT guided tour or volunteering for a work party (check our calendar of events). Please respect the limited access and know that we are working hard to create the Aiston Preserve.
The Aiston Preserve
1033 Beach Avenue, at the very end of Beach Avenue. The property is comprised of 105 acres; approximately 4000 feet of undulating shoreline; about 20 acres of upland and 500 feet of shoreline has been damaged from mining that we will restore; the remaining 80 acres is important forest habitat that the Heritage Trust is only now beginning to explore.
History of Smugglers Cove
In 1906, the Japanese American Fish Fertilizer Company owned this land and smuggled Japanese men in to work at the fertilizer company - hence the name Smugglers Cove. Since 1933, the property has been used on and off as a rock and gravel mine. In 1948, Homer and Peggy Aiston were first to homestead the property with a small cabin on Abner Point. Peggy's journals are a treasured record of Lummi Island's early history. Kay and Lloyd Niedhamer built a home in 1968 and many recall Kay's frequent swims across Smugglers Cove to Abner Point. We will honor the history of this place by calling it the Aiston Preserve.
The Aiston Preserve Campaign
Phase I - Acquisition:
Today we have an unprecedented opportunity to protect and restore one of Lummi Island's most unique places. Located on the southeast flank of Lummi Mountain, the property encompasses 105 acres and 4,000 feet of shoreline, including Smugglers Cove. In recent years, a portion of the property was used as a rock quarry. Now we have the chance to re-vegetate the mined area with native plants and trees and restore the altered section of shoreline. Healthy and diverse plant, wildlife and tidal habitats will be protected. There are deep forests with fern covered rock outcrops and delicate mossy balds; there is an undulating, rocky shoreline with pocket beaches and eelgrass beds that are vital for young, migrating salmon; and there will be public areas for all of us to explore. Please join us in protecting this remarkable place, restoring the damaged areas and making sure that the Aiston Preserve can be enjoyed by countless generations of plants, wildlife and people ~ forever.
The Heritage Trust is currently conducting a capital campaign to complete the acquisition and restoration funding. Please consider making a generous donation today!
Creating the Aiston Preserve
Phase II - Restoration:
The Heritage Trust will partner with a number of individuals and groups including the Northwest Straits Foundation, the Department of Natural Resources, Whatcom County, The Rose Foundation, biologists and geologists to re-vegetate and reclaim the 20 acres mined area and restore about 500 feet of artificially armored shoreline used for barging during gravel mining.
Phase III - Develop Public Access:
We envision developing public access for low-impact recreation (walking, bird watching, paddling - probably not camping, horseback riding, motorized vehicles, target shooting, etc.). Community input will be an important part of helping determine the scope and possibilities for public use - however this is a ways off. The property is not open to the public at this time as we are working to address safety and liability issues. At the current time you can experience this amazing property by signing up for a LIHT guided tour or volunteering for a work party (check our calendar of events). Please respect the limited access and know that we are working hard to create the Aiston Preserve.
The Aiston Preserve
1033 Beach Avenue, at the very end of Beach Avenue. The property is comprised of 105 acres; approximately 4000 feet of undulating shoreline; about 20 acres of upland and 500 feet of shoreline has been damaged from mining that we will restore; the remaining 80 acres is important forest habitat that the Heritage Trust is only now beginning to explore.