Thurston County is seeking qualified projects to apply for Conservation Futures funding for 2024, with an application deadline of 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. This is a great opportunity for landowners who wish for their land to remain undeveloped but would like the financial benefits of selling their property.

Conservation Futures is a land preservation program allowing landowners to sell their property or future development rights to a qualified conservation organization. To be eligible, a property must contain unique or valuable wildlife habitat, agricultural, forestry, historic, or recreational features. Applications must be sponsored by an eligible organization, such as a land trust or city government.

For more information or to download the application: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/incentives-conservation-futures.aspx

How to Apply
Submit completed application via:
•    Email: andrew.deffobis@co.thurston.wa.us 
•    In-person: Board of County Commissioners Office, Suite 200 of the Atrium Building, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia 
•    Mail: Thurston County, ATTN: Andrew Deffobis, CPED, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501

The program is made possible by a Conservation Futures tax levy first authorized by the legislature statewide in 1971. Thurston County began collecting the tax levy in 1989 and uses these funds to make conservation purchases, resulting in more than 5,700 acres of preserved farmland, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat.