King County Conservation Futures Grants Available

January 14, 2019

Summary

Approximately $40 million in funding available

Story

“The King County Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) Levy funds encourage the protection of open space lands, which have made King County such a desirable place to live,” said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “These project sites can be used for hiking, walking, open play, riding bikes or horses, picnicking and gardening, and provide a benefit for the entire community.”

For more than 30 years, government and non-profit groups across King County have used the CFT funds to protect 111,000 acres of land, forests, shorelines, greenways and trails from development. In the past, CFT dollars have funded the purchase of natural areas, urban green spaces, passive parks, regional trails, farms and forests. This year, it is anticipated that more than $40 million in funding will be available for projects in King County.

Applications are due on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Three workshops around King County are scheduled for applicants and interested parties. These workshops are:

• Wednesday, January 23, 2019 (1-3 p.m.), Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, 98040

• Saturday, January 26, 2019 (10 a.m.- 12 p.m.), Living Well Kent/Alliance Building, 515 W Harrison Street, Suite 208, Kent, 98032 – please arrive on time, building access is limited (Spanish & Somali interpretation)

• Wednesday, January 30, 2019 (6-8 p.m.) South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave S, Seattle, 98108 – North Social Room (Spanish & Somali interpretation)

A countywide property tax supports the Conservation Futures Fund. By state law, the funds can only be used to purchase open space or resource lands. Counties and cities are usually the primary applicants for these funds, but citizen groups and individual citizens also receive CFT funding through partnerships with local jurisdictions.

For additional information about the CFT grant program, please contact Ingrid Lundin at Ingrid.Lundin@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-4578, or visit the website.