BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A peninsula bookending the south end of Chuckanut Bay will soon be available for the public to explore.

Whatcom Land Trust announced that the owner of Governors Point has donated 98 acres to create a public nature preserve.

The owner, Randy Bishop, bought the land in 2018 for $5.7 million.

He reached out to the Land Trust shortly after purchasing the property to determine how to best conserve the land.

Plans include building a public trail to the peninsula’s eastern and western beaches.

Bishop also has future plans to build 16 custom “small footprint” residences on the west side of Governors Point

He formally signed over 75% of the peninsula property to the Whatcom Land Trust on Wednesday, September 13th.