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Thurston County reviews Conservation Futures fund, extends one grant and keeps HCP reserves
Summary
County planners and budget staff briefed commissioners on the Conservation Futures Fund’s uses, balances and priorities; the board authorized a one-year extension for a land-trust grant and discussed HCP reserve strategy and limits on maintenance funding.
Thurston County commissioners on Aug. 6 received an overview of the county’s Conservation Futures Fund and related natural-resources work, including how the fund is allocated, a map showing approximately 5,800 acres conserved to date, and the county’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) reserve strategy. The board then voted unanimously to extend a 2024 grant award for a land‑trust project through Sept. 30, 2025.
The presentation was led by Ashley Rai, community planning and economic development director, with assistance from Karen (Public Works director) and Summer Miller, budget and finance manager. Rai told the board the county was “one of the first counties in the state, back in 1989 to actually establish a conservation futures program,” and reviewed what uses state law allows for the fund: land acquisition, conservation easements and, to a limited extent, operations and maintenance for sites purchased at least in part with Conservation Futures funds.
Why this matters: Commissioners said they wanted a clearer, coordinated picture of how the fund’s annual receipts are split among grants, prairie/HCP work and park/trail maintenance so future budget…
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