Land Bank Purchases Conservation Easement in Lopez’s Center Valley

Aerial view of recent Land Bank Purchase on Lopez Island

The San Juan County Land Bank has purchased a conservation easement over a 100-acre property owned by Buffum Bros Farms, Inc. The property lies between Fisherman Bay and Dill Roads at the entrance to Lopez’s Center Valley. The transaction was made in partnership with the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office.

“We’re pleased to be successful in protecting a property with such agricultural and historical significance,” commented Nancy Greene, Land Bank Commissioner. “It’s been a priority for us to protect farmland on Lopez since the Land Bank’s inception in 1990. This property is really important given its location.”

“People have farmed this land for more than 140 years,” stated Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. The property was originally homesteaded by Joseph Burt in 1871 and Otto Kjargaard owned and ran the farm from 1944 to 2006. “The Buffum Brothers are committed to carrying on the tradition.”

“We also want to recognize the role of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) in this acquisition,” continued Bormann. The Land Bank successfully secured a grant for $300,000 from WWRP’s farmland preservation account. Though Land Bank revenues have fallen dramatically in the last several years, the organization has used funding partners to help make up the difference. “We’ve been lucky to find other funding and great partners in these times.” he concluded.

About the San Juan County Land Bank

The San Juan County Land Bank is a local land conservation program, created by voters in 1990, and funded by a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property in San Juan County. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special places in the Islands including coastlines, farmland, forests and wetlands. For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402 or visit https://www.sjclandbank.org.

About the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)

RCO is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and farmland, and help return salmon from near extinction. Since the agency began in 1964, it has awarded more than $1.4 billion in grants to more than 6,400 projects. See https://www.rco.wa.gov/index.asp to learn more.