A city commission that advises the City Council on acquiring land for conservation purposes has initiated an application process that will be used to make recommendations for awarding funds for land acquisition.

The Clean Water and Natural Lands Commission, established in 2007, will review applications and make recommendations to the City Council on projects to be funded through the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund.

Final selection of projects to be funded will be made by the City Council as part of the annual budget process.

"This represents a unique opportunity for our community to enhance conservation efforts by coming together to take a more active role in the preservation of land on O'ahu," Council Chairman Todd Apo said in a news release. "The council encourages the public to work with the commission through the application process and to provide input that will assist it in making its recommendations to the council."

Commission Chairwoman Denise Antolini said the commission has established criteria for review of applications that include protection of watershed lands, historical or culturally significant land areas and sites, forests, beaches, coastal areas, and agriculture lands.

Applications are due March 9 at 4 p.m.

For more information about the commission and the grant application process, call 768-5080.