A rugged Washington island preserves rare peregrine falcon nesting sites on its rocky cliffs.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Lummi Island, located in the Puget Trough, is far more than a scenic getaway. Beyond its winding roads and artistic community, the island’s west side hosts a protected Natural Area Preserve. This rugged terrain serves as a vital sanctuary for peregrine falcons, shielding their nesting eyries from human disturbance.

The Lummi Island Unit, a component of the Whatcom Wildlife Area, was specifically established to safeguard two peregrine falcon nest eyries. Situated on the island's steeper, rockier western coastline, this preserve protects a diverse array of habitats, including Douglas-fir forests, grassy balds, wetlands, and marine kelp beds. Because of its status as a Natural Area Preserve, the unit is strictly managed to minimize human impact; dogs are prohibited, and public access is restricted to foot-traffic only via a single trail maintained by the Lummi Heritage Trust.

The acquisition of the parcels that comprise this conservation area occurred between 1991 and 2001. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) oversees the land as part of its broader management strategy for 33 wildlife areas across the state. Management plans for these units are typically revised every eight to 10 years to address evolving ecological conditions and agency priorities, with shorter two-year updates used to track immediate objectives and accomplishments. This structured approach ensures that the preserve continues to support its primary goal of protecting native plant communities and species diversity.

The island itself is a geological study in contrasts, featuring a mountainous southern side that rises to approximately 500 feet, separated by a fault from the flatter northern end. While the northern section is composed of Eocene-era fluvial sedimentary rock, the southern portion is dominated by Cretaceous-era metagreywacke, shale, and siltstone. This complex landscape, situated between the Fraser and Skagit rivers, remains a critical ecological node within the Georgia Basin ecoregion. By maintaining these protected zones, the WDFW and local partners ensure that the island’s unique natural heritage remains intact amidst the pressures of regional development and tourism.

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