Below we have summarized the many ways Ferry Conservation District offers assistance to local landowners. Please contact the District if you have any questions or would like more information about any of these programs.

New! Firewise Home Assessments – The district now provides free firewise assessments to local homeowners. District staff will assess the ‘home ignition zone’, the area 100-200 feet surrounding the home, and offer specific recommendations for vegetation management and home maintenance that will reduce the risk to wildfire. Firewise assessments are free to all Ferry County residents and must be scheduled in advance.

Cost share assistance is available for conservation projects under our Implementation grant. Funding for eligible projects may be available to landowners within the District.  Projects can include riparian area fencing, off stream livestock watering facilities, hardened watering access points, streambank revegetation and stabilization, and stream/lake bank restoration. Other projects may also qualify for assistance. Funding availability varies.

If you live in the Kettle River watershed, you may qualify for cost share assistance under our Kettle River Watershed Improvement Project. Eligible projects may include those listed above. Other projects that improve water quality in the watershed may also qualify for assistance. Cost share application period will open in the fall of 2007. Check back for details.

Technical assistance and self-assessment tools are available to all livestock owners to help determine risk factors under AFO/CAFO rules. The District provides a Water Quality Risk Assessment Worksheet that will allow landowners to evaluate their situation, without regulatory intervention, and determine if they are at risk. This tool also provides suggestions for Best Management Practices applications that will reduce the livestock owner's risk. District staff is always available to discuss the implementation of practices and assist the landowner in the various phases of the project.

District staff is always available to provide technical assistance at no charge to landowners for any personal projects. This assistance can range from discussing what you'd like to do and how best to accomplish it to guidance on permitting and licensing issues surrounding a potential project. If District staff are unable to assist you, we can usually point you in the direction of someone who can.

Annual Conservation Plant Sale – Each spring the district offers trees and shrubs at a reduced rate during the conservation plant sale.  The sale is usually held the third weekend of April and is part of Ferry County Pride Month. Each year’s selection of plants varies and includes fruit trees, reforestation trees, native shrubs and trees, as well as roots and berries. The district also offers a selection of grass seed mixes for lawn, pasture, and habitat needs.  Overstocked plants are available at the sale, but inventory is limited and some items, like grass seed, must be pre-ordered. Plant sale brochures are usually mailed in early February. Make sure you’re on our mailing list!

The District also offers topographical maps of Ferry County for a nominal charge. The maps show 7.5 minute quadrangles in color with elevation, water, road and structure notations. The maps sell for $6.50 plus tax and are not available anywhere else in the county.

The District now offers a wide selection of conservation books, most with full-color pages. A variety of topics including gardening, wildlife, irrigation and pruning are available. Prices range from $12 - $20 plus tax.

Ferry Conservation District is a non-regulatory agency that does not report to any regulatory authority. The District is governed locally by a board of 5 local landowners and users (3 elected / 2 appointed), and they are the final authority. Ferry Conservation District services are available to all without discrimination. For more information, please contact us.