The Thurston County Board of Commissioners has approved funding for its 2020 Conservation Futures Program, which allows landowners to sell property or future development rights on their property to a conservation organization such as a land trust.
Applications to receive funding are due by 5 p.m. on March 2, 2020
A Conservation Futures tax levy was first authorized by the legislature statewide in 1971. In 1989, Thurston County began collecting the tax levy and uses these funds to make conservation purchases. In 2019, Thurston County taxpayers paid a rate of approximately four cents per $1,000 assessed value.
Applications must be sponsored by an eligible entity such as a land trust or city government. Eligible properties must contain unique or valuable wildlife habitat, agricultural, forestry, historic, or recreational features.
For more information about the Conservation Futures Program and to find the application, visit www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/incentives-conservation-futures.aspx or contact Andrew Deffobis at Andrew.deffobis@co.thurston.wa.us.
Applications can be submitted to andrew.deffobis@co.thurston.wa.us, in person to the Board of County Commissioners Office, Building 1, second floor, Room 269 of the Thurston County Courthouse, or submitted by mail to Thurston County, ATTN: Andrew Deffobis, CPED, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502.
