Seattle, Washington, March 7, 2008—Farms and salmon will both benefit from six Puget Sound area projects recently funded through a new fish recovery grants program now available in Washington. Known as the Pioneers in Conservation farm-salmon grants program, it is funded through a partnership between the Washington State Conservation Commission and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 

“To be eligible for funding, applicants must show how their project will benefit both the salmon and the farm business,” says Don Stuart of American Farmland Trust, who helps administer the program. “The program demonstrates that healthy salmon runs and profitable farms go together hand-in-glove.” 

The six funded projects include:

• Jefferson County Conservation District: Restore and improve 2,500 feet of Snow Creek while providing better access to fields for farm equipment and reducing sediment impacts. Funded at $63,173.00; Match = $79,603.44
• Whatcom Conservation District: Replace aging floodgate on farm along Schneider Creek and improve riparian habitat, thus improving fish passage and habitat while protecting adjacent farmland from harmful flooding. Funded at $33,405.63; Match = $18,400.00
• Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association: Stabilize and improve riparian conditions along stream banks on the Woodland Farm, thus improving off channel salmon refuge habitat and preventing future field loss through erosion. Funded at $34,259.90; Match = $19,296.00
• Northwest Chinook Recovery: Create off channel ponds and channels for salmon refuge and spawning habitat on a ranch near Monroe that will also provide access to water for cattle.  Funded at $43,000.00; Match = $81,800.00
• Stewardship Partners: Improve stream flows with efficient irrigation, and plant and restore riparian vegetation on three farms (in Clallam, King, and Pierce Counties). This will make the farms eligible for certification as “Salmon Safe”, and eligible to market their products under that label. Funded at $60,456.60; Match = $39,000.00
• Clallam Conservation District: Restore a reach of Matroitti Creek to a more natural configuration, thus improving habitat and reducing flooding and erosion on adjacent farm fields. Funded at $37,800.00; Match = $24,576.40

Farmers, organizations or agencies interested in applying for a Pioneers in Conservation grant will find the details available on-line at: www.farmland.org/pioneers and www.nfwf.org/pioneers.  Proposals for the next round of grants are due on March 28, 2008.

For Further Information, contact:

• Don Stuart, American Farmland Trust, (206) 860-4222, dstuart@farmland.org
• Brian Ferrasci-O'Malley, Evergreen Funding Consultants, (206) 691-0700,
  bferrasci-omalley@evergreenfc.com
  
  
  American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with communities and individuals to protect the best land, plan for agriculture and keep the land healthy. AFT’s Pacific Northwest Office is in Seattle and can be reached by calling 206-860-4222.  AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300. For more information, visit AFT’s homepage at www.farmland.org.