Kristoferson Farm and Forest Conservation Easement Island County - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Kristoferson Farm and Forest

Conservation Easement

Island County Conservation Futures

May 2020

www.wclt.org | 360.222.3310

Land Trust Overview

• Non-profit conservation organization
• Founded 1984
• Donor supported operations
• Non-regulatory and non-partisan
• Willing landowners
• Nationally accredited

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Land Protection and Resource Stewardship

Land Trust Protection Project Types:

Conservation Easements = 66 Facilitated Projects = 28 Fee Title Ownership = 20

Number of Properties Number of Acres

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Intro: Project Location

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Intro: Project Vicinity

Watershed Map Land Protection Map

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Intro: Project Parcel

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Intro: Project Background

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Intro: Project Goal & Objectives

 Preserve high-quality farmland soils in perpetuity  Preserve viable working forestland in perpetuity  Preserve scenic and open space resources  Provide economic opportunities  Educate the public on the benefits of conservation

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Intro: Project Budget

Project Funding Sources

 CFF Grant Proposal

$300,000 (14%) (requested)

 Matching Funds

$1,950,000 (86%) State + Federal Grants (secured)

 Total Project Cost

$2,225,000 (100%)

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

Preserve High-Quality Agricultural Soils in Perpetuity  84 Acres of Farmland / 6 times median farm size of Island County  85% of soils are classified as prime or statewide significance  United States Department of Agriculture Certified Organic

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve a Viable Agricultural Operation

 Infrastructure = Farmhouses, barns, run-in sheds, building envelopes  Active certificate of water right (est.1961)  Diversified farm products = hay, lavender, pumpkins, apples  Access to markets both on and off-site = I-5 corridor, on-farm, on-line

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Secondary species: Grand fir Sitka spruce Bigleaf maple Preserve Viable Timber Resources in Perpetuity

115 Acres of Forestland / Diversity of Species

 Primary Species = Douglas fir, Western hemlock, Western redcedar,

red alder

 Secondary Species = Grand fir, Sitka spruce, big-leaf maple

Sustainable Forest Management Practices

 Forest stewardship plan  90-year rotational harvest,  Intermittent thinning  Timber stand improvement projects  Invasive species control

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Secondary species: Grand fir Sitka spruce Bigleaf maple Preserve Viable Economic Resources in Perpetuity

 Local Timber Jobs

 Janicki logging (Sedro Wooley)  Canyon Lumber (Everett)  Buse Timber (Everett)  Sierra Pacific Industries (Burlington)

 Local Eco-tourism Jobs

 Canopy Tours Northwest – Zip Line (10,000 visitor annually)

 Events

 Farm to table dinners  Wine tastings  Seasonal gatherings

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A.1.b. Conservation Values & Resources: Rarity

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Critical Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Kristoferson Creek Watershed:

 Second largest watershed (3,027 acres) on Camano Island  Only watershed with documented salmon use on Camano Island  Priority area for protection: WRIA 6 Multi-Species Salmon Recovery

Plan & Recovery Plan Update (2019)

 Previous conservation/restoration investments in the watershed

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance

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A.1.a. Conservation Values & Resources: Significance Preserve Critical Water Resources

Kristoferson Creek:  Coho salmon, Fall chum salmon, and Cutthroat trout Kristoferson Lake:  Migratory birds, raptors, amphibians, and mammals Wetlands and Riparian Habitat:  Aquifer recharge/groundwater protection  Flood prevention  Groundwater recharge

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• B. Appropriate Public Use & Enjoyment

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• B. Appropriate Public Use & Enjoyment

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Land Use Element

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Economic Element

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Project Location

Natural Resources Element

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Project Location

Natural Resources Element Continued

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Natural Resources Element Continued

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C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Parks and Recreation Element

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Project Location

C.1. Plans & Partnerships: Local Plans

Project Location

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Parks and Recreation Element Continued

C.2. Plans & Partnerships: Support

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D.1. Potential for Loss: Immediacy of Loss

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D.1. Potential for Loss: Immediacy of Loss

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D.2. Potential for Loss: Acquisition Timing

Willing

landowners

Project

negotiations underway

Matching

Funds Secured

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E.1 & 2. Stewardship Viability: Needs/Risks

 Nationally accredited (LTA)  Dedicated Stewardship Staff  Dedicated Stewardship Funds

• Stewardship Reserve
• Stewardship Enhancement
• Restoration
• Legal Defense

 66 Conservation Easements

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E.3. Stewardship Viability: Long-Term Costs

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F.1. Financial Strategies: Cost Efficiencies

CFF =14% of Project Cost Land Trust Stewardship = Perpetuity

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F.2. Financial Strategies: Future Costs

 Land Trust

Members

 Land Trust

Staff

 Volunteer

Stewards

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Thank You!

www.wclt.org | 360.222.3310