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Sep
22

King County Conservation Futures

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King County Conservation Futures

Snoqualmie River Trail view
Snoqualmie River Trail

Conservation Futures is the primary source of funding for the Land Conservation Initiative (LCI). The LCI has a goal to preserve our most important natural lands and urban green spaces. The LCI also seeks to add open spaces in underserved communities. Learn more about the Land Conservation Initiative goals in this short video.

News & announcements

The Advisory Committee will meet on September 13, 2023, 6:30-8:30 pm. Please visit the Committee Information page for more information.

 

Conservation Futures protects many types of open spaces across King County

Urban green space
Neighborhood green and open space to create more livable neighborhoods
Saving trails
Land to connect trails and communities to increase livability & inspire healthy living
Natural lands
Natural lands for wildlife, recreation, & resilience in an uncertain future
Rivers
River corridors to sustain salmon and reduce flooding
Farmlands
Farmlands and community gardens for healthy local food
forests
Forestlands to support clean air, clean water, cooler summers, and recreation.

» Learn more about Conservation Futures grant application process and policies

Since 1982, Conservation Futures grant funding has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of land in King County as open space, including

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Duwamish Waterway Park
Duwamish Waterway Park
Sammamish River Trail
Sammamish River Trail
Discovery Park Capeheart Forest
Discovery Park Capeheart Forest 1
Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park
2
Clark Lake Park
Clark Lake Park
3
Duwamish Hill Preserve
Duwamish Hill Preserve
4
Map of county-wide Conservation Futures funded property interests
Funded property interests

» Learn more about recent acquisitions

Maury Island Marine Park
Maury Island Marine Park

Fifty years ago, Washington State authorized the Conservation Futures Tax levy (CFT), allowing counties to collect a small levy from landowners to protect open space. King County is one of 14 counties statewide that levy a conservation futures tax – protecting forests, shorelines, farms, greenways, and trails for future generations to enjoy forever.

Thank you to King County voters who approved Proposition 1 in November 2022, restoring Conservation Futures to its authorized rate of 6.25 cents per $1,000 Assessed Value. In 2023, the owner of a median priced home pays about $50 per year into Conservation Futures.

News Archive

May 19, 2022
Dow Constantine proposes raising King County property taxes to preserve rivers, forests, natural spaces

May 26, 2021
Protecting and restoring Bear Creek watershed, one of the most productive salmon habitats in all of King County

July 9, 202
New park with trails coming to urban unincorporated King County, delivering on Executive Constantine’s commitment to equitable access to open space

June 27, 2019
Executive Constantine triples down on open space protection, takes action ensure greenspace access for all King County residents

June 20, 2019
Executive Constantine’s plan will ensure all King County residents have access to open spaces
Photo credits

1 Discovery Park: Friends of Discovery Park (Source )
2 Olympic Sculpture Park: Spinstah (Source )
3 Clark Lake Park: Bryan Higgins (Source )
4 Duwamish Hill: Heidi Rose Watters (Source )

Questions

Please email the Conservation Futures Program Manager, Ingrid Lundin.

 

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