The Land Trust Board of Directors considers the conservation values and feasibility of each protection project. All projects are reviewed and evaluated by the Lands Committee, which provides recommendations to the board.
We have two sets of conservation criteria – one for the anadromous reaches of the watershed (referred to as the Lower Nisqually) and one for the parts of the watershed that contribute to the river above Alder Dam (referred to as the Upper Nisqually). These criteria incorporate the priorities identified in the Land Trust’s mission – water, wildlife, natural areas, and scenic vistas – with other considerations, such as: acquisition funding, management funding, threat of development, and community and partner support. Two key focus areas are:
- properties that protect and/or provide opportunities to restore river and stream shoreline habitats; and
- properties that protect and/or provide opportunities to restore significant areas of mature forest.