The Curry Preserve
History of the Curry Land
John Curry came to Lummi Island from Ferndale in 1937 to work the reef net fishery. John and his wife Ortha bought this property in 1951, when about 50 families lived on the island. He provided for his family by fishing and raising cattle. John worked his land until he died in 2002.
The Curry family decided to sell their 42 acre property, which could have been developed into 14 home sites. John wanted the Heritage Trust to succeed in purchasing and protecting his family’s land. He would be proud to know that his legacy of caring for this beautiful place will continue for generations to come.
John Curry came to Lummi Island from Ferndale in 1937 to work the reef net fishery. John and his wife Ortha bought this property in 1951, when about 50 families lived on the island. He provided for his family by fishing and raising cattle. John worked his land until he died in 2002.
The Curry family decided to sell their 42 acre property, which could have been developed into 14 home sites. John wanted the Heritage Trust to succeed in purchasing and protecting his family’s land. He would be proud to know that his legacy of caring for this beautiful place will continue for generations to come.
|
Creating the Curry Preserve In 2002, the island community, families, organizations and businesses helped the Heritage Trust purchase and create the 42 acre Curry Preserve. As part of the Curry project, seven neighboring landowners placed conservation easements on their private properties to protect an additional 58 acres of the surrounding landscape. In 2008, the Heritage Trust had the opportunity to purchase a property that would expand the Curry Preserve and the corridor of protected land surrounding the Preserve. As part of the Curry expansion project, a neighboring landowner pledged to protect another 13 acres of private land with a conservation easement. |
Today, the approximately 50 acre Curry preserve is surrounded by 71 acres of private conservation easement land. The protected landscape conserves precious wetlands, ponds, open fields, and dense forests. The Heritage Trust developed a Curry Preserve Management Plan to ensure the protection of the Preserve's sensitive wildlife and habitat.
The property is managed primarily as wildlife habitat and a place for people to experience nature. The historic agricultural use of the property is preserved in the Heritage Trust’s community garden project and the renovation of the old apple orchard. A bench honoring the Curry family is a nice place to rest and enjoy the wonderful view of Mt. Baker from the upper field.
We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of donors who helped raise the funds that created the Curry Preserve and sustain it today and for future generations. Thank you!
The property is managed primarily as wildlife habitat and a place for people to experience nature. The historic agricultural use of the property is preserved in the Heritage Trust’s community garden project and the renovation of the old apple orchard. A bench honoring the Curry family is a nice place to rest and enjoy the wonderful view of Mt. Baker from the upper field.
We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of donors who helped raise the funds that created the Curry Preserve and sustain it today and for future generations. Thank you!
Curry Preserve – 2449 N. Nugent Road (lower entrance, park in the mowed areas to the right and left of the driveway) and Tuttle Lane (upper entrance, park in the pull-off on the east side of the road). Exploring the Curry Preserve can take as long as you want and is easy wandering on footpaths through the fields and forest. The Trust’s Community Garden and Orchard project is located near the Nugent Road entrance. |