Tacoma Narrows Four local land trusts have joined forces to form a new organization with a greater ability to preserve and protect natural areas in West Sound. The Great Peninsula Conservancy is the name given to a new land trust formed by the merger of Kitsap, Hood Canal, Indianola and Peninsula Heritage land trusts. They cover an area from Hansville to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge as well as areas in North Mason County.
Land trusts accept outright donations of property or conservation easements to prevent development.
The lands are held in trust and managed for the public benefit. The new organization contains the combined resources of about 500 members and nearly 1,000 acres of preserved open space. This merger gives us more clout and makes a greater impression on organizations offering grant funding. Final merger documents were signed the past few days, said Smith, a retired extension agent who had served on the Kitsap Land Trust. I am energized by this merger.