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Private Incentive Programs in Washington State
These private organizations, or public-private partnerships, offer a range of conservation incentives. CertificationCertification programs reward producers for pursuing conservation activities. Forestry CertificationPrograms are listed alphabetically. American Tree Farm SystemThe American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is a program of the American Forest Foundation. It is committed to sustaining forests, watersheds, and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship. Their mission is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry. ATFS has established standards and guidelines for property owners to meet to become a certified Tree Farm. Under these standards and guidelines, private forest owners must develop a management plan and pass an inspection by an ATFS volunteer forester every five years. Certification of Tree Farms through the ATFS is the oldest and largest voluntary third party verification process in the United States. It has been active since 1941. Ecotrust: Forestry Market ConnectionsEcotrust is working to connect the demand for responsibly harvested wood products with the supply, through their Forestry Market Connections program. A Project Forester enlists land managers who have met Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards to sell their certified wood to Northwest mills. Ecotrust’s Director of Market Connections works to get certified wood into green building projects. Forest Stewardship CouncilThe Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. FSC accredits independent, third-party certification bodies or certifiers that assess companies and landowners according to FSC policies, principles and criteria. FSC audits its certifiers on an annual basis to ensure that policies are being followed. Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities PartnershipThe Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities Partnership (HFHC) is a non-profit network of businesses in the Pacific Northwest. It is committed to making the highest quality products from wood selected in ways that maintain or restore the health of our forests. Member businesses turn wood originating from FSC certified, reclaimed, and forest restoration projects into products, such as flooring, paneling, furniture, building materials, and gifts. HFHC businesses are locally-owned and create jobs in small towns. With over 60 members—including land managers, businesses, and non-profits—their label reflects a commitment to environment and community, and allows consumers to make a choice that makes a difference. Northwest Natural Resource GroupThe Northwest Natural Resource Group has developed Northwest Certified Forestry, a program to provide group Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for private forest landowners in the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Certified Forestry helps landowners gain access to markets for certified sustainably managed forest products. It also offers educational workshops, forest stewardship planning services, and market development services. SmartWoodSmartWood is the certification arm of the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance, one of the founders of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is the world’s largest FSC forestlands certifier. They are an accredited certification body in the FSC system. The Rainforest Alliance endorses FSC certification of forests as the most effective way to balance the environmental, cultural and economic values of forests. Sustainable Forestry InitiativeThe Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program was developed by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) to document the commitment of its members and the program's licensees to keep forests healthy and practice the highest level of sustainable forestry. The SFI Program is overseen by the Sustainable Forestry Board (SFB), an independent 501(c)3 organization, which is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the SFI Standard and verification procedures. Agriculture CertificationPrograms are listed alphabetically. Country Natural Beef (dba Oregon Country Beef)The purpose of Country Natural Beef / Oregon Country Beef is to provide a simple, stable and profitable means for its members to produce for its consumer market. Members strive to market their livestock in a sustainable manner, take care of and respect the customers, communities, and lands that sustain us. The Country Natural Beef cooperative is dedicated to raising cattle in harmony and balance with nature. Each family takes pride in honoring the principles of sustainable land management and in providing a natural choice. Country Natural Beef ranchers follow "graze well" principles for healthy cattle and healthy land, maintaining biological diversity. Food AllianceFood Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable agriculture by recognizing and rewarding farmers who produce food in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways, and by educating consumers and others in the food system about the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Food Alliance operates a comprehensive third-party certification program for sustainably produced food. Food Alliance Certified distinguishes foods produced by farmers, ranchers and food processors who use environmentally and socially responsible practices. They also have a Farm and Ranch Certification Program and a Handler Certification Program. Organic CertificationOrganic certification is administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Producers are required to integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Puget Sound FreshPuget Sound Fresh is a project of the Cascade Harvest Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to local agriculture, partnering with local counties. It is a consumer education and product identification program. Puget Sound Fresh educates consumers in 12 counties about the health and environmental benefits of buying and eating locally grown products. As part of the program, locally grown products are labeled with a Puget Sound Fresh sticker or banner. The program encourages area grocery stores and farmers markets to promote local produce and farm products. Salmon-SafeOrganized by Stewardship Partners, the Salmon-Safe label is designed to show consumers that an agricultural product was grown with salmon in mind. Stewardship Partners works with farmers to promote sustainable practices that protect water quality and habitat for native salmon as well as other fish and wildlife. Dozens of agricultural products from now carry this label. Grants and Cost-Shares> Foundations and Corporations Foundations and CorporationsA number of national and regional foundations provide grants to organizations and individuals for environmental and educational projects. Many corporations and local companies also have their own giving programs, which make grants to worthy environmental, educational, or social service projects. The focus is usually on community service and public resources, but private landowners might be considered for grants in some instances. One situation might be when a landowner wants to take special measures to protect critical wildlife habitat on their property. Another might be when private lands would be used to promote research or education for students. Chances of getting a grant are often improved if the proposed project demonstrates partnerships with conservation groups or government agencies or multiple landowners. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, visibility, and funds vary widely among foundations and corporations. Local businesses are often interested in projects that improve their own communities and benefit their employees. If you know an employee of a particular business, ask them to help you identify the right decision maker in the company to have a personal conversation with regarding your project proposal. For more information on foundation grants and corporate giving programs, the following resources may be helpful: > Directory of Environmental Grantmaking Foundations Directory of Environmental Grantmaking FoundationsThe Directory of Environmental Grantmaking Foundations, in its 11th edition, is a comprehensive list of foundations that support environmental nonprofit activities and programs. The Foundation CenterThe Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy. They publish The Foundation Directory Online. The Municipal Research & Services CenterThe Municipal Research & Services Center (MRSC), a non-profit, independent organization in Washington, has the mission of "working together for excellence in local government through professional consultation, research and information services." Its website includes a page on Grant Resources for Washington Local Governments. Philanthropy NorthwestThe mission of Philanthropy Northwest is to promote effective philanthropy in the Northwest states. It is an association of community, private and public foundations, corporations and individuals committed to improving the quality of life. They offer technical assistance, information, consulting, and networking to both established and emerging grantmaking institutions and philanthropists. The Washington Foundation DatabookThe Washington Foundation Databook & CD list 1,991 Washington foundations, with comprehensive profiles of the largest 375. It also contains a categorical listing of the 20,000 grants awarded to mostly Washington nonprofit organizations for the most recent year on record. National Fish and Wildlife FoundationThe National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is an independent, non-profit, conservation organization dedicated to stimulating private funding of conservation needs by offering federal matching funds. NFWF was established by an act of Congress in 1984 as a vehicle for infusing fresh and creative approaches into the management of the nation’s wildlife resources. Its matching grants are to assist priority fish, wildlife, and plant conservation programs. Grants focus on: 1) working landscapes, 2) critical species, and 3) stewardship. Any government entity (state, local, or tribal), university, or non-profit organization may apply. NFWF will fund: creative protection and restoration; problem-solving applied research; applied conservation; high priority projects as determined by federal, state, or non-governmental organizations; start-up projects as models; and projects that foster partnerships. NFWF has several programs available in Washington State on its current list. For example:
Non-profit Organizations and PartnershipsWe list here only a couple of grant programs administered by non-profit organizations. If you know of others to include here, please contact us. Pioneers in Conservation Grant ProgramThe Pioneers in Conservation program provides financial support specifically for salmon recovery projects that promote conservation and restoration on farms and small family forests. Funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Tulalip Tribes, and Shared Strategy. Wildlife Forever Challenge GrantsWildlife Forever’s mission is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage through preservation of habitat, conservation education, and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever favors supporting projects that enhance wildlife and fish populations through the restoration and management of land; the conservation and enhancement of wildlife and aquatic habitat; the promotion wildlife and fish habitat quality; and educational projects that engage the public, such as Watchable Wildlife-related programs. Wildlife Forever Challenge Grants have supported a number of restoration projects in Washington and nationwide. The program has also contributed to the enhancement and creation of wetlands. Requests from agencies, institutions, and organizations may be considered for grants from Wildlife Forever, but it does not provide monies to individuals. Land TrustsWhat is a land trust? Land trusts are usually locally based, non-profit organizations directly involved in protecting important land resources for public benefit. Land trusts form when grass-roots citizen interest is sparked to protect community open space values. Land trusts depend on the financial support, volunteer assistance, and participation of the people in the community. Land trusts are not “trusts” in the legal sense. In fact, many refer to themselves as conservancies, foundations, or associations. Land trusts often offer quick response, flexibility, and confidentiality, and are friendly providers of preservation assistance. Land trusts protect a range of different resources from greenways to farmland to open space. They protect land that has natural, recreational, scenic, historic, cultural, scientific and educational, or productive value, depending on the needs of the community. Many protect wetlands as their highest priority. Land trusts protect land permanently and directly. They can be the official “holder” of a conservation easement, taking on the responsibility of overseeing, managing, and enforcing the land restrictions. They also directly own land. The hallmark of land trusts is their direct involvement in land transactions. Almost all land trusts offer technical assistance to landowners to preserve quality natural resources. They use a variety of flexible and creative methods that achieve conservation goals while meeting the specific needs of the community and landowner. Some common tools and techniques are: the acceptance of donations, securing of conservation easements, and outright purchase or bargain sales. There are many benefits landowners might expect from conveying all or some of the interests in their land to a land trust. These include: direct compensation, income tax deductions for donations, and lowered property and estate taxes. The process of working out an agreeable transaction may also provide landowners with a better understanding of their real estate rights and a plan for managing their estates. Land trusts are not adversarial, but work cooperatively with landowners and government agencies. Therefore, trusts can lead community efforts to preserve open space by working with local residents and officials to strengthen planning and zoning regulations and non-regulatory protection of sensitive areas. > National Land Trusts National Land TrustsNational land trusts are larger organizations, and they provide major support in a number of important areas. > American Farmland Trust American Farmland TrustThe purpose of the American Farmland Trust is to work with farmers, business people, legislators, and conservationists to encourage sound farming practices and to preserve America’s most critical agricultural resources. It provides advice on ways to include conservation strategies in land use and on estate plans for farmers. They accept donations of land and conservation easements for conservation purposes. Land Trust AllianceThe Land Trust Alliance is an umbrella group based in Washington, D.C. that serves as a network, providing education, training, and technical assistance to local and regional land trusts. The Trust’s mission is to strengthen the land trust movement and help land trusts save land by providing information and education, fostering supportive public policies, and building public awareness of land trusts and their goals. River NetworkRiver Network helps people organize to protect and restore rivers and watersheds. They support river and watershed advocates at the local, state, and regional level, helping them to build effective organizations and work together. River Network also acquires and conserves lands that are critical to the ecosystem services rivers perform: floodplain management, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and open space. In the Northwest, River Network has acquired over 20,000 acres on the Skagit, Stillaguamish, and other rivers. The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy (TNC) is an international, non-profit, science-based, membership organization whose mission is to preserve the best examples of communities, eco-systems, and endangered species representing the diversity of life on Earth. The Conservancy owns and manages the world’s largest system of private nature sanctuaries, including more than 30 preserves in Washington. TNC provides information on the identification, protection, and stewardship of natural areas. They often work in partnerships with public agencies and private organizations to identify, secure, and manage significant natural lands. Trust for Public LandThe Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to conserving land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, recreational, and natural areas. It is a problem-solving organization that helps communities, public agencies, and non-profit groups acquire and protect open space for public use. They often work as a quick response transfer agent, negotiating donations or land transfers from landowner to TPL, or to a government agency for permanent stewardship. Regional Land TrustsRegional land trusts address specific localities or resources in the Pacific Northwest. > Cascade Land Conservancy Cascade Land ConservancyThe Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) is an entrepreneurial conservation organization known for its willingness to take bold steps in partnership with others to protect land. CLC’s focus is on King, Kittitas, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Mountains to Sound Greenway TrustThe mission of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is to protect and enhance a 100-mile corridor of permanent open space lands along Interstate 90 from Seattle to Central Washington. It aims to promote a sustainable balance between population growth and a healthy environment. Pacific Forest TrustPacific Forest Trust is dedicated to enhancing, restoring, and protecting privately owned forests from community sprawl and other development pressures. It works to enhance, restore, and preserve the productive private forestlands of the Pacific Northwest. It maintains a center for stewardship forestry and a policy center for developing incentives for stewardship forestry. Rocky Mountain Elk FoundationThe Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation works to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife by conserving, restoring, and enhancing natural habitat. Washington Water TrustWashington Water Trust works exclusively to restore Washington rivers by improving in-stream flow through the purchase or donation of water rights allocations. Often the trust works on small streams and tributaries where returning a small amount of water to the stream can make a significant benefit to salmon habitat. The Trust works with the Department of Ecology to place trust water rights back into the State Trust Water Rights Program. Local Land TrustsLocal land trusts cover everything from a single canyon (Cowiche Canyon Conservancy) to a river basin (Chehalis River Basin Land Trust) to a multi-county area (Inland Northwest Land Trust), working in six counties in northeast Washington). Most land trusts are members of the Land Trust Alliance, which maintains a searchable and comprehensive list. RecognitionRecognition programs reward producers for pursuing conservation activities. We list here only a couple of private recognition programs. If you know of others, please contact us. > Farming and the Environment Vim Wright Award Farming and the Environment Vim Wright AwardThe Vim Wright Award is offered by Farming and the Environment to bring together farmers and environmentalists in honoring farmers and ranchers whose stewardship practices are protecting the quality of our food and the long-term health of Washington's ecosystems. Named after the late Vim Wright, a tireless advocate for protecting Washington’s environment and keeping family farms in business, the award publicly recognizes and financially rewards Washington state stewardship farmers. Cecil D. Andrus Leadership AwardsSustainable Northwest’s annual Cecil D. Andrus Leadership Awards for Sustainability and Conservation recognize two leading examples of successful entrepreneurship in pursuit of sustainability—one urban, one rural—from across the American Northwest. The Andrus Leadership Awards are awarded to individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, or collaborative, community-based efforts that exemplify entrepreneurship in pursuit of sustainability – with a demonstrated commitment to conservation of the environment, service to the community, adaptability and innovation, and to leading others on a similar sustainable path. Technical assistanceHere we list technical assistance available from non-profit organizations, not from private vendors or contractors. If you know of other programs, please contact us. > Growing Wild Garden Consultations Growing Wild Garden ConsultationsThe Growing Wild program offers a one-time on-site garden consultation for people interested in native plant gardening, low maintenance gardening, and landscaping for wildlife, in return for a donation. This Washington Native Plant Society program is available in King and Snohomish Counties. Volunteers recruited from the Native Plant Stewardship classes and programs such as Master Gardeners perform the consultations. Their aim is to get each gardener enthused about enriching their plot of land for the benefit of native plants, wildlife, and people. Northwest Certified Forestry ProgramThe Northwest Certified Forestry Program offered by the Northwest Natural Resources Group (NNRG) provides resources and training for forest landowners. Courses include "Cost Effective Inventory and Monitoring," and "The Game of Logging." NNRG's mission is to promote innovative forest management strategies that improve the health of forest and freshwater ecosystems while increasing economic development in rural communities. |
