This This private non-profit organization is all about preserving our land, open spaces, and habitat. So far this group is stewarding 7865 acres in this area.
The office is located in Port Townsend, but projects are county wide and donations of land and money from citizens along with the plans and ideas of members make it happen.
My first recollection of this organization is from the time one of our local realtors started a drive to collect $75,000 to retain trees that line the entrance to our city, as they were in danger of being cut down. This realtor came to our office meeting with a flyer and pledge cards, and did make it happen.
Examples of Recent Projects:
Chimacum's Glendale Farm 
An easement was created to provide a buffer zone for salmon and wildlife habitat. This farm is 187 acres and is one of the largest farms in the county dating back to the 1850's. By creating this buffer the land will remain in agricultural zoning.
Winona Wetlands
There is a new campaign designed to raise matching funds from the county of $100,000 to protect a 5 acre parcel that home to one of the most important habitat located in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor
Chimacum Creek
Heron Pond
This is a beautiful area of 60+ acres of non-commercial open space shared with 11 residential homesites on the perimeter. This is a wonderful community of lovely NW style homes on 5 acre parcels with pasture and wetlands in the center all protected by a conservation easement.
Today, June 13th there is a tour of Tarboo Farms, a resoration and protection project which has been aided by the Jefferson Land Trust. Tour is 11 am to 4 pm. Bring your lunch.
Sandra - I think these sound like terrific projects, especially if they are privately funded and driven and not government edict that took away property owners rights without compensation.
This is a private organization, and they do get some matching funds from our county that I know of, which would be taxpayer money, but that is what people in this area want, and as conservative as I am, I do love the natural beauty here and rural feeling that comes from trees, open space and habitat areas. Our main source of business here comes from tourism so for that reason it makes sense to avoid overbuilding and clear cutting. Thanks for being so faithful in reading my posts. Yours are always great!
Hi Sandra....I just love hearing about projects like these where it's the locals who organize to take charge of what their lands will look like way down the road. The photo of the horses is wonderful. Please join some of the photography groups and post along with us.
Gail, I just learned of the photography group and will join it today. I am a newbie and still discovering new groups. I don't have a fancy camera, but I take it with me on all my walks since I have joined AR because there are great blog subjects everywhere I look. Thanks for reading.
Hi Sandra, I placed links to 3 photo groups on my last post which you commented on. See you there with you pics :-)