The City of Bothell is set to receive a Bravo Award from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board for it’s North Creek Forest project.

A grant application submitted by the city scored first out of 16 projects competing for funds statewide in the Land and Water Conservation Fund program. It is funded by the federal government from the sale of off-shore drilling permits and designed to facilitate the building of parks and trails and other outdoor recreation areas.

According to a press release by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, the money will allow the city of Bothell to purchase up to 22 acres of land to complete the 64-acre urban forest known as North Creek Forest which runs along Interstate 405 south of the King-Snohomish County Line.

The forest filters surface water for North Creek, which is used by Chinook salmon, and hikers and walkers are a regular staple of the forest the press release said.

Bothell has been awarded 12 grants since 1970s the release said, totaling more than $2.6 million, with the city contributing more than $4.7 million in matching funds.