Capitol Land Trust, with support from multiple project partners, acquired and conserved 55 acres and 1.25 miles of highly functional estuarine and marine nearshore habitat in lower Eld Inlet in Olympia, WA. Lower Eld Inlet is a shallow, relatively undisturbed, estuarine complex consisting of extensive tidal marshes and mudflats, and is located within the southern-most reaches of Puget Sound. The project builds upon successful Eld Inlet conservation efforts that to date have protected more than 4 miles of marine shorelines and 500 acres of coastal wetland, nearshore and surrounding upland areas within the watershed. The property’s rich tidal mudflats, vegetated shorelines, and associated uplands provide feeding, resting and salinity-transitioning habitat for multiple salmonid species: coho, steelhead (ESA-listed), Chinook (ESA-listed), cutthroat, and native chum. Not surprisingly, the estuarine habitats are important for Pacific sandlance, Pacific herring, and surf smelt, as well as for bald eagles, and large populations of shorebirds and waterfowl. The property contains no bulkheads, docks or other modifications and is an outstanding example of an intact, natural estuarine and coastal wetland habitat once characteristic of the region. Acquisition has provided the highest level of protection to a highly-functional system, and addresses the primary threats and limiting factors identified in regional recovery planning.