Last June, my religious group met in Lynden for a desert social during which the book "Whatcom Places" was discussed.

This book was published by Whatcom Land Trust. Three contributors read from the book, discussed what the book was about and how Whatcom Land Trust affects our communities.

WLT involves stewardship of the land through conservation easements. These easements are strictly voluntary where the owner gives up carefully specified rights but retains ownership of the land. The land may be sold or left to heirs. WLT then assumes responsibility to ensure these restrictions are complied with in perpetuity.

The book contains pictures of our land, our biodiversity and cultural heritage. Each of these treasures is often in competition with each other for survival. Asphalt is not very forgiving to the land and the creatures that it replaces.

Sheila L Richardson