Jefferson County welcomes applications to protect important open-space lands through the county’s Conservation Futures Program. Open-space lands provide important functions, including: protecting wildlife habitat and corridors; conserving cultural resources; maintaining natural floodwater control; protecting water quality, water supply and soils; enhancing or protecting scenic views; providing opportunities for education and passive recreation; and perpetuating the benefits of balanced and productive natural systems.

Residents, landowners and public groups as well as government agencies, special purpose districts and nonprofit corporations within Jefferson County may apply for funds in partnership, as applicable, with a local sponsoring organization based in Jefferson County.

In the 2017 funding cycle, about $228,000 is available to new projects. Of this amount, as much as $36,108 is available to reimburse operations and maintenance expenses for any property acquired using conservation futures funds. A minimum matching amount of 50 percent of the total project cost is required of the project sponsor. Sources of the match must be non-county funds, such as private contributions, state and/or federal grants, and/or the value of other open space lands linked to the project.

The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, March 30, 2017. For an application and more information, contact Tami Pokorny at 379-4498 or

tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us.

The annual project application process is overseen by the Conservation Futures Citizen Oversight Committee. Each spring, this committee evaluates project applications for the public’s benefit and makes recommendations to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners who, after a public hearing, decide which projects merit funding. Meetings of the committee are open to the public.

In 2016, the county commissioners approved the use of Conservation Futures funds toward the completion of four projects: the acquisition of 2.5 acres within the “Cappy’s Trails” area by the City of Port Townsend; the conservation of up to 107 acres of floodplain and adjacent slopes along the Big Quilcene River; a 1.5-acre addition to Irondale Beach Park; and the protection of 33 acres of forest and farmland in the Tarboo Valley east of Quilcene.

The Conservation Futures fund and program are governed by Section 3.08 of the Jefferson County Code. The program was created in 2002 to help ensure that the county retains adequate wildlife habitat, working farms and forests, scenic areas, and culturally and historically significant open-space lands – all for the health, benefit and welfare of citizens. The fund is generated by the county’s smallest property tax levy.

Visit the program and committee sites at

co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/Conservation/conservation.asp.