Thurston County announced this week that it is seeking qualified projects to apply for Conservation Futures funding for 2025.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m on Friday, Feb. 28.

This opportunity is ideal for landowners who want their land to remain undeveloped but would like the financial benefits of selling their property.

Applications must be sponsored by an eligible organization such as a land trust or city government.

To be eligible for Conservation Futures, a property must contain unique or valuable wildlife habitat, agricultural, forestry, historic or recreational features.

For more information, or to download the application, visit https://tinyurl.com/h85bnvjz. 

To apply, one must complete the application and submit it one of three ways:

• Through email at andrew.deffobis@co.thurston.wa.us 

• In person at the Board of County Commissioners Office, Suite 200 of the Atrium Building, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia

• Through mail addressed to Thurston County, ATTN: Andrew Deffobis, CPED, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.

The program was made possible by a Conservation Futures tax levy authorized by the Legislature statewide in 1971. Thurston County began collecting the tax levy in 1989 and uses the funds to make conservation purchases, resulting in approximately 5,800 acres of preserved farmland, historic sites, recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat.