Economy, Environment and Health Benefit from Trails, Two New Studies Show

OLYMPIA–Trails contribute more than $8.2 billion to the state’s economy, according to companion studies released today by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Done in collaboration with Washington Trails Association, Washington Bikes, and the University of Washington, the studies look at the economic, environmental, social and health benefits of trails and recommend that state […]

January 9, 2020
State Awards more than $26 Million for Salmon Recovery Projects Statewide

The Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board today announced the award of $26.1 million in grants for projects across the state aimed at bringing salmon back from the brink of extinction. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the board’s creation and the suite of projects announced today brings the total amount of salmon recovery since […]

December 16, 2019
State Bolsters its Defense Against Urban Forest Pests with New Guidelines

OLYMPIA–Pests looking to make their homes in Washington’s urban forests may now face a stronger defense, thanks to a new resource released this this month by the state’s Invasive Species Council. The Washington State Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook, published in partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), contains guidelines that towns, […]

November 19, 2019
Celebration to Mark First Barrier Removed to Help Salmon Migrate Upstream

OLYMPIA – Coho salmon will have an easier time swimming up the Middle Fork of the Newaukum River near Chehalis this fall, thanks to a project funded by the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board. This is the first two miles of more than 201 miles of streams slated to open across the state after […]

November 18, 2019
State Seeks Volunteers to Rank Investments in Washington’s Outdoors

OLYMPIA–The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is recruiting 50 volunteers to fill positions on its 17 advisory committees, which evaluate grant proposals for parks, boating infrastructure, working farms and forests, and habitat conservation statewide. “As one of the state’s biggest investors in Washington’s outdoors, we want our state’s network of parks, trails, boating facilities […]

November 5, 2019
Federal, State, and Tribal Governments Join Forces to Practice Emergency Response Should Invasive Mussels Infest Washington Waters

­­­OLYMPIA–State, federal, and tribal governments will come together Oct. 23 at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area for the first on-the-ground exercise in the Columbia River basin to prepare for an infestation of quagga and zebra mussels. Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are small, nonnative, freshwater mollusks that have caused significant environmental and economic harm in […]

October 10, 2019