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
State Awards More Than $5.2 Million to Conserve Working Farms and Forests

OLYMPIA–The Washington State and Recreation and Conservation Funding Board today announced the award of more than $5.2 million in grants to 12 projects that conserve working farms and forests around the state. “These grants help ensure our farms and forests, often at risk of being developed, are still available for growing timber and still available […]

October 7, 2019
State Recruiting Members to Serve on the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board

OLYMPIA-The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is recruiting for two new members for its Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, which awards grants to improve parks, trails, boating amenities and access to shorelines. It also awards grants to conserve working lands, such as farms and forests, and to protect pristine wildlife and natural areas. During […]

August 20, 2019
State Asks Residents to Check Trees for Invasive Pests in August

OLYMPIA-The Washington Invasive Species Council is asking residents to check trees and swimming pools in their yards for harmful bugs as part of the national Tree Check Month in August. August is the peak time of year to look for invasive bugs and report any species that seem out of place. Trees near home and […]

August 20, 2019
State Invests $25 Million in Removing Barriers to Migrating Fish

OLYMPIA–Migrating fish soon will have access to more than 82 miles of streams in Washington, thanks to $25 million in grants from the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board. The board will fund more than 50 projects in 20 counties to remove fish passage barriers that block salmon and steelhead from swimming upstream to their spawning […]

July 24, 2019
Inslee Announces $1.3 Million in Grants to Get Kids Outside

OLYMPIA–More than 14,000 kids who might not otherwise have opportunities to explore parks, forests and other outdoor places in Washington soon will be able to thanks to about $1.3 million in funding, which Gov. Jay Inslee announced today. Awarded by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the No Child Left Inside grants focus on […]

July 15, 2019