The original item was published from March 15, 2019 11:28 AM to March 15, 2019 12:16 PM
The
Pierce County Conservation Futures application process is open and funding is available! Farmland conservation is a high priority of the Conservation Futures program and I’d like to let you know about an opportunity currently available because of additional funding and resources through our partners.
Pierce Conservation District was recently awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to permanently conserve agricultural land. Farmland is typically protected through a conservation easement, where a landowner remains farming on the property, but with restrictions on development. It is the intent that farms protected through a conservation easement will remain farmland indefinitely. USDA funding is anticipated to conclude in 2022 and Conservation Futures is a potential source of matching funds to the USDA program.
To learn more about the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Click Here
If you are interested or know of a landowner that may be interested in pursuing conservation options, please contact Pierce County or a local land trust organization to learn more. Applications to Conservation Futures will be accepted through April 8th, 2019 for funding in 2020-21; however, there will be additional funding opportunities in the future.
While this is an important time for agricultural preservation, please note that the Pierce County Conservation Futures program conserves a wide variety of land. Conservation Futures strives to ensure a high quality of life for all Pierce County residents now and in the future by preserving open space, wetlands, wildlife habitat, timber and agricultural lands. This highly effective program, which is funded through property tax revenue, has conserved over 6,000 acres in the last twenty-five years, providing Pierce County residents with an array of benefits including cleaner watersheds, secure local food sources, and new places to learn, recreate and connect with nature.
For more information on Conservation Futures:
visit
www.piercecountywa.gov/conservationfutures
or contact
Ryan Walker, Conservation Futures Coordinator
253-798-4252
ryan.walker@piercecountywa.gov
Or Contact Your Local Land Trust:
