Camp Sealth Conservation Easement, Vashon Island

Category Overview

Forestland Preservation grants help improve opportunities for forest management activity and improve the long-term growth and harvest of timber. These projects help protect many different kinds of forests, including, but not limited to, large-scale industrial forests, small private landowner forests, community forests, and tribally - or publicly-owned and managed forests.

Project Highlights

The King County Parks and Recreation Division will use this grant to buy a voluntary land preservation agreement, also called a conservation easement, to conserve 280 acres of forestland at Camp Sealth. The agreement would prevent future residential development permanently. The 381-acre Camp Sealth contains mature second-growth forest and is operated as a youth summer camp for 500 annual campers. For more than 25 years, Camp Sealth has cut trees, mostly to promote forest health, reduce the spread and threat from laminated root rot, and generate money for camp operations. King County will contribute more than $3 million in cash and Conservation Futures.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: King County Parks & Rec Category: Forestland Preservation WWRP Grant: $500,000.00 Applicant Match: $3,085,000.00 Project Type: Acquisition County: King Legislative District: 34 Status: Active RCO Project # 20-1676

Location Details

Vashon Island is accessible only by ferry or private boat. A car and passenger ferry operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation is available from West Seattle [Fauntleroy (West Seattle) / Vashon], the Kistap Peninsula (Southworth / Vashon) or Tacoma (Pt. Defiance / Tahlequah). Current round trip ferry fare traveling to Vashon is about $18 for a car and driver and $5 for a passenger, though rates can fluctuate depending on the season. Ferry service back to the mainland is always free. Be sure to plan extra time when traveling by ferry, especially when arriving during peak travel times.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.