Grants to Buy or Conserve Parks and Open Spaces in Washington

Deadline: 03/06/2023

Details:

Conservation Futures (CFT)  grants are used to buy or conserve parks and open spaces. These open spaces are used for passive recreation such as urban greenspaces, natural areas, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails. CFT funding is provided to governmental agencies and eligible nature conservancy or historic preservation nonprofits. They may be able to partner on green stormwater acquisitions or create parks near affordable housing. Community groups or individuals can partner on projects with local agencies and eligible nonprofits.

Types of open space land can be purchased with CFT funding

• Urban greenspaces
• Passive recreation parks
• Natural areas
• Trails
• Community gardens
• Farms (urban and rural)
• Forests

Eligibility Criteria

• Governmental agencies and eligible historic preservation and nature conservancy nonprofits
• Community groups and individuals can partner on projects with local agencies and eligible nonprofits. Partnerships have included:
  • Delridge Wetland and Stewardship Project
  • Save Waldo Woods
  • One Bothel

Eligible Open Space Lands & Property Interests Properties eligible for funding must meet the definitions of open space land in RCW 84.34.020, which describes open space lands as land area that, if preserved, would:

• conserve or enhance natural or scenic resources
• protect streams or water supply
• promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches, or tidal marshes
• enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations, sanctuaries, or other open space
• enhance recreation opportunities
• preserve historic sites
• preserve visual quality along highway, road, and street corridors or scenic vistas
• retain urban open spaces
• preserve farm and agricultural land

For more information, visit Conservation Futures Program.