This was a combination restoration and acquisition project protect 102.4 acres of floodplain riparian area, with more than a half-mile of frontage on lower Illabot Creek. Illabot Creek, one of the most important tributaries of the Skagit, supports five species of salmon, including endangered Puget Sound Chinook, as well as Steelhead and bull trout. The Illabot watershed has been the focus of considerable protection and restoration work, and this parcel was in a key location. The site contained the highest quality stream habitat, but the riparian area was degraded, and additional development would have caused significant deterioration of habitat and water quality. The goal of this project was to protect the instream and riparian habitat by removing development potential and restoring the riparian area. A conservation easement was purchased that extinguishes any new residential development on the site; and a riparian buffer averaged 140 feet over the half-mile protected area. 9.5 acres of the riparian acres were fenced to exclude livestock and 7.7 aces were planted with native trees and shrubs. The property remained in private ownership as a working farm. The project provided an opportunity to partner with a private landowner to demonstrate ways to both protect fish habitat and maintain agriculture. Protection of this property and restoration of a resilient buffer of native woody vegetation along the creek improved and maintained cool stream temperatures, reduced erosion, allowed natural filtration and recruited large woody debris into the stream system.