The Western Strait of Juan de Fuca (WSJF) Habitat Conservation Plan identifies and prioritizes aquatic and riparian habitat within the planning area that are important to salmon and steelhead productivity and survival. The plan specifically focuses on the most important floodplain, riparian, and nearshore habitats. Habitats and properties along the western portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca are prioritized based on the recommendations and a system of prioritization set forth in the Draft WRIA 19 Salmonid Restoration Plan, and assessed ecosystem function on a parcel-by-parcel basis to develop a plan for land acquisition through permanent conservation easements and acquisition. The primary criteria for identifying the highest priority parcels for conservation was that the parcels contained high quality habitat with high productivity potential, as well as intact habitat forming processes and a high proportion of parcel area classified as habitat. This project took place over a year (2011) and resulted in a prioritized list of properties: 17 nearshore parcels and 72 freshwater and estuary parcels. This conservation planning is necessary as salmon populations depend on existing quality and quantity of salmon habitat in marine and freshwater. Habitat conditions and aquatic ecosystem health are a function of the interaction between watershed controls, watershed processes, and land use. Land use plays a key role in how vegetation affects all of the processes occurring within a watershed: sediment supply, hydrological regime, organic inputs, nutrient supply, and light/heat inputs. Protection of land with the best existing salmon habitat and ecosystem function on private land can only happen through conservation tools such as conservation easements and land acquisition. This project will help achieve North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity’s goal to restore and maintain ecosystem function on the North Olympic Peninsula for the entire WRIA 19 through strategic planning and prioritization intended to create the greatest ecological benefits for all 10 Geographic Units covering 385.2 square miles in WRIA 19.