Legacy Lands Program | Clark County

Clark County’s diverse natural landscape is made up of broad river valleys, narrow creek canyons, wetlands, lakes, riparian zones, forests, mountains, meadows, foothills and farms. The Legacy Lands program (Clark County’s Conservation Futures Program) protects these lands highly valued for habitat, scenic corridors, low-impact recreation and other qualities that enhance our local environment. In 2015, the Clark County Conservation Futures program, Legacy Lands, celebrated its 30th anniversary.

NATURAL AREAS

The county has more than 5,000 acres of protected land. Concentrations of public conservation ownership occur along some of most scenic rivers, streams and lakes. Many of these areas are open for public use while others provide critical habitat for protected species. Open the Legacy Lands brochure to find a natural area near you.

Visit your local conservation properties for adventures close to home including hikes, horseback rides or picnics. We provide you a listing of properties, facilities and features to help plan for a one hour trek or an all day adventure. View property list here.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: LEGACY LANDS GUIDANCE MANUAL

The Legacy Lands Guidance Manual provides structure for the program and outlines how projects will be solicited from sponsors, a watershed-based approach for acquisition, property management guidelines and other program aspects. Public comments about the draft manual can be submitted via email to PWConservation@clark.wa.gov or by calling Denielle Cowley, program coordinator, at 564.397.1652. Comments should be submitted by Wednesday, Oct. 18. Public comments will be shared with the Parks Advisory Board. The board can vote to send the draft manual to council, at which point, council will consider the manual for adoption. Information about the board and how to attend a board meeting is at clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-advisory-board. A council work session on Wednesday, Sept. 27 will give an overview of the Legacy Lands program and updates to the guidance manual. Information about the council work session can be found at clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings.

Legacy Lands Guidance Manual Draft Fall 2023

Download Legacy Lands brochure

The Legacy Lands program is guided by several key documents that were developed with local partners and stakeholders. The program targets key conservation properties and areas for conservation and protection.

FUNDING

The program’s primary county revenue source is the Conservation Futures levy. Conservation Futures funding has supported over 100 distinct acquisition projects in Clark County. Almost all of these combined local revenues with grants and donations to accomplish the acquisitions.

Acquisitions also occurred through the State Department of Natural Resources Trust Land Transfer Program and privately owned land donations. The county also coordinates its acquisitions with other land conservation entities such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, State Department of Fish and Wildlife, cities and towns and private land trusts.

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