Throughout the 1980’s, land development and tourism in San Juan County were on the rise; the population was rapidly growing. Facing the loss of places they loved, a diverse group of locals sought a way to save treasured lands and maintain quality of life.

Their vision led to the creation of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, a local government program. In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the Conservation Land Bank through a one-time 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property at closing. (San Juan County Ordinance: Chapter 2.120, Citizens Conservation Land Bank). In this way the community could protect those special places that brought them here. For over 30 years the Land Bank, guided by local input, has been conserving exceptional places in the County.

The Mandate

To preserve in perpetuity areas in the county that have environmental, agricultural, aesthetic, cultural, scientific, historic, scenic or low-intensity recreational value and to protect existing and future sources of potable water.

Our Commitment to a Just, Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Organization

While local conservation efforts have been remarkably successful, the historical inequity embedded in the broader conservation movement has been overlooked. With a view towards acknowledging and learning from this history, the Conservation Land Bank made a commitment to review organizational approaches and practices from the standpoint of social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. The following vision statement and associated action plan are a result of that commitment.

We envision a network of public lands managed by and for the communities they sustain, where any person regardless of race, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, migratory status, disability/ability, veteran status, or socioeconomic background can celebrate and deepen their connection to place. We strive to approach the caretaking of land and water with humility and openness to learning. We give gratitude to the indigenous people who have long protected and stewarded these lands and waterways and who continue to do so today. We commit to listen and act upon ways we can support indigenous communities and indigenous sovereignty through our work.

Program Funding

The primary source of funding is a one percent real estate excise tax, or REET, paid by purchasers of property in San Juan County. Other sources of revenue include the conservation futures tax, private donations, grants, and interest income.

Community Participation

Public opinion helps guide spending decisions. The Conservation Land Bank Commission is made up of seven volunteers, representing all the islands’ citizens. The staff – director, land steward, preserve stewards, operations manager, outreach coordinator, and program assistants – work together to allocate Land Bank dollars to meet its conservation priorities. Commission meetings are held monthly and the public is always welcome.

Caring for the Land

Careful stewardship of our properties is a high priority. Our stewardship program puts the values and vision of the Conservation Land Bank’s mandate into action with the goal of understanding and protecting the significant conservation values of each property entrusted to our care.

The Land Bank is committed to protecting its conservation purchases forever with the establishment of a special stewardship endowment fund. The Commission’s goal is that all expenses needed to care for our properties in perpetuity will be paid out of interest from this account.