SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. December 6, 2023 – The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is pleased to invite the community to participate in shaping its emerging Strategic Plan. This document will guide the Land Bank in conservation efforts, stewardship priorities, and community engagement for the next six years. With a goal of building a foundation of collaboration and engagement, the Land Bank has been conducting interviews, hosting public meetings, and is now distributing this online survey to collect input from residents, businesses, local elected officials, and staff.
What is the Strategic Plan?
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank’s Strategic Plan will be a guiding document to help set priorities and identify concrete actions to address critical conservation and stewardship needs across our islands.
Planning efforts to date
Community members and other strategic partners have helped – and will continue to – shape this plan by participating in interviews, public meetings, online surveys, and public comment throughout the planning period.
- In 2021 the Land Bank launched its biannual Community Conversations meeting series that identified the need for more long-term planning and community engagement. Each of these conversations can be viewed on the Land Bank’s YouTube channel.
- In 2022, the Land Bank Commission agreed on the need for a strategic plan.
- In 2023, the Land Bank hired Triangle Associates, Inc. to lead internal planning discussions throughout the year.
- In the fall of 2023, Land Bank Commissioners and County staff worked with consultants to interview almost 60 community members representing each ferry-served island. These interviews have helped identify key questions and begin identifying community priorities.
Make Your Voice Heard
Land Bank staff and commissioners are now seeking broad community input by hosting a month-long, anonymous survey. Click here to begin the survey. The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and includes questions about potential future acquisitions and stewardship priorities, including managing for public access and reducing fire risk. The survey will be open through January 6, 2024.
The survey results will be compiled and analyzed by environmental consulting firm Triangle Associates, Inc., Land Bank Commissioners, and Land Bank staff who will use the community’s input to inform conservation efforts in San Juan County and create the strategic plan. The results of the surveys will be included in the Land Bank’s strategic plan and will be available early next year.
Take the survey here. Learn more about the Land Bank’s strategic planning efforts by visiting the County’s Engage platform. Updates will be posted, and you can subscribe to be notified through the platform.
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