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Conservation is an important part of the Methow Valley economy. Did you know:
- Protecting the Methow’s scenic beauty is good for business: outdoor recreationalists, trail users and nature enthusiasts bring nearly $4.5 million annually to the Methow Valley.
- Protecting farmland fuels the Methow’s agricultural economy: 14 percent of the loca
 l economy and half of the Valley’s private land are dedicated to agriculture.
- Protecting farmland protects farming: The Methow Conservancy has protected more than 1,000 acres of actively farmed agricultural land. Today’s real estate market creates a stark reality: farms sold without conservation protection are most often subdivided and never farmed again.
- Impact on the County Budget: Farms, forests, and open lands pay more in local tax revenues than they receive in services. Even with a reduced assessed value, farms, forests, and open lands contribute a surplus of revenue to pay for public services in Okanogan County.
- Protecting Land, Preserving Possibilities: Conservation easements permanently reduce the development possible on a piece of land and protect the natural resources on the property: working with landowners to protect our rivers and most productive soils will ensure a clean water supply and healthy local food for generations.
Over the past 12 years, the Methow Conservancy has worked with willing landowners to conserve more than 5,800 acres of family farms, waterways, forests, and scenic vistas.
We only get one chance to protect land in the Methow Valley. Working together we can create a legacy for this landscape.
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