King County seeks volunteers to serve on open space acquisition and protection committee

The King County Conservation Futures Advisory Committee – a volunteer advisory board serving King County government – is seeking individuals who are interested in and knowledgeable about the acquisition and protection of open space lands to serve on the Committee. The County wants the Committee membership to reflect the racial diversity of the county, and encourages Black, Indigenous and people of color applicants.

Funds from the King County Conservation Futures tax levy (CFT) are used to purchase or preserve open space lands, including natural areas, passive-use parks, urban greenspaces, wildlife habitat, trails, farms and forests in King County. The CFT program has recently added a funding opportunity to help provide open spaces in historically underserved areas where residents experience hardships such as low incomes and poor health outcomes and a lack of open space.

Members of the advisory committee review applications for CFT funds and make project funding recommendations to the King County Executive, who then submits a funding recommendation package to the King County Council for approval.

Service on the committee typically requires (though is subject to change, and during the COVID-19 pandemic meetings are held online):

Attending six or more mid-week, evening committee meetings between January and May, and one to two more meetings the rest of the year (typically held on Mercer Island);

Attending up to eight field trips to tour applicant sites in late March and April; and

Actively participating in, and contributing to, the work of the Committee.

King County Conservation Futures Advisory Committee open positions:

There are four open positions on the 16-member committee, available only to residents of council districts 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Please consult the Council District Locator map to determine what King County Council District you live in: https://kingcounty.gov/council/councilmembers/find_district.aspx.

Recruitment is open until November 8. Please contact:

If you live in Council District 2, contact Rhonda Lewis (Rhonda.Lewis@kingcounty.gov)

If you live in Council District 3, contact Jackie White (Jackie.White@kingcounty.gov)

If you live in Council District 7, contact Theo Madura (theo.madura@kingcounty.gov)

If you live in Council District 5, 6, or 8, please contact Madeline Cavazos (Madeline.Cavazos@kingcounty.gov)

For questions about CFT or the Committee’s work please visit www.kingcounty.gov/CFT, or contact Conservation Futures program coordinator Ingrid Lundin (Ingrid.Lundin@kingcounty.gov)

Translation and interpreter support are available by request.