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Contact a Grants Manager
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Clark County, Cowlitz County, Grays Harbor County, Lewis County, Pacific County, Skamania County, Wahkiakum County, Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW Recreation Grants)
Ashly is an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. She joined RCO in 2018 as a compliance specialist. She has spent most of her professional career managing and maintaining recreation sites for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Ashly graduated from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where she received her bachelor of science degree in natural resource management and biology. She is an avid outdoor recreationist who loves to hike, camp, hunt, and fish. When she is not outside, she can be found inside preserving summer for the winter in the form of jams, jellies, fruit butters, pickles, dried fruits, and canned vegetable, soups, and stews, basically anything that can be put in a mason jar.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Beth is the statewide grants manager for the No Child Left Inside and Outdoor Learning Grants programs. She has a bachelor's degree in conservation biology and a minor in environmental education from Prescott College in Arizona and a master's degree in land planning and design from the Conway School in Massachusetts. Some of her past professional experience has included running a small business, environmental consulting, landscape design, volunteer coordination, wildlife rehabilitation, farming, horse training and riding instructor, preschool teacher, and director of a kindergarten through 12th-grade rock climbing program. Beth has served on several boards that focus on youth, farming, stewardship, and restoration. She enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and spending time outside with friends and family.
Handling salmon grants:
Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA 8) Lead Entity, Lower Columbia River Salmon Recovery Region, Snohomish Basin Lead Entity, Upper Columbia River Salmon Recovery Region, Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity
Amee joined RCO in 2014 and now is salmon grants manager for the upper and lower Columbia River regions. Amee’s experience includes nearly 23 years working in the environmental field conducting wetland delineations and restoration work, identifying Washington native plants, and managing a native plant nursery. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Amee has lived in Washington most of her life and enjoys hiking, dancing, and time with family.
Handling salmon grants:
Chehalis Basin Lead Entity, Snake River Salmon Recovery Region, Willapa Bay Lead Entity, WRIA 13 Salmon Habitat Recovery Lead Entity
Kendall joined the Salmon Section as the administrative assistant in 2019. As a military wife and mother, she completed her bachelor of science degree in fisheries and wildlife sciences through Oregon State University and moved to a salmon grants manager position in 2022. A wildlife enthusiast, Kendall enjoys supporting salmon recovery efforts and is passionate about connecting with the community. She is an outgoing optimist originally from the Midwest and southern California. Outside of her work, Kendall enjoys volunteering at a wolf sanctuary, trying various athletic endeavors, painting nature landscapes, and raising her children.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Department of Natural Resources (DNR Conservation Grants)
DeAnn joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Section. She has more than 27 years of land acquisition and grants management experience gained from two natural resources agencies: the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. A native Washingtonian, DeAnn loves photography, live music, and is an enthusiastic animal lover. DeAnn enjoys the great outdoors, particularly Washington’s deep forests and coastline as well as the Columbia River Gorge and the San Juan Islands.
Handling salmon grants:
Green/Duwamish, and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Lead Entity, Middle Columbia Salmon Recovery Region, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, Stillaguamish River Salmon Recovery Co-Lead Entity, Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Lead Entity
Elizabeth is an outdoor grants manager for the Salmon Section working in Puget Sound Region and Middle Columbia River Salmon Recovery Region.
Handling salmon grants:
Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery
Kay is an outdoor grants manager for the Salmon Section and manages grants for the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, and Brian Abbot Fish Passage Barrier Removal Board. Before joining RCO, Kay worked as an environmental engineer for Battelle, King Conservation District, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. After returning to school to earn a degree in restoration ecology from the University of Washington, Kay worked as a plant health diagnostician for Washington State University and as a landscaper before joining RCO in 2007. Although a New Englander at heart, Kay has made her home in Washington since 1994. Kay pursues every opportunity to be outside playing in the dirt, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, camping, fishing, and venturing on roads less traveled.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Chelan County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Okanogan County, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (Cle Elum Ranger District, Wenatchee River Ranger District, Chelan Ranger District, Entiat Ranger District, Methow Ranger District, Tonasket Ranger District)
Brian joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. A Washington native, Brian has lived and adventured throughout the state. With his background in trails and park development, he serves Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Ferry Counties; and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Before joining the RCO team, he worked in camp management, government contract administration, and as an Adopt-A-Trail coordinator. Brian completed his bachelor’s degree in recreation and associate’s degree in computer programming. Eagerly pursuing new opportunities for learning and exploration, Brian often can be found in museums or on other adventures.
Handling salmon grants:
Klickitat Lead Entity, Middle Columbia Salmon Recovery Region, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, Puyallup and Chambers Watershed Salmon Recovery Lead Entity
Dave grew up exploring the hills and valleys of northwest Pennsylvania. From there he headed to Nebraska for a bachelor of science degree in geography and ultimately obtained a master of science degree in geography from Oregon State. He worked for a bit as a park ranger and then for 18 years at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he focused on fish passage. He’s joined RCO in 2008, managing the Family Forest Fish Passage Program and Salmon Recovery Funding Board grants for Pend Oreille, Klickitat, and Pierce lead entities. In his spare time, Dave splits his time between kids’ soccer and baseball games and biking, skiing, and woodworking.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Island County, San Juan County, Seattle, Skagit County, Spokane County
Allison joined RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. Allison was born and raised in Washington and considers both Spokane and Olympia her hometowns. She is a graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and has her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado. Before joining the RCO team, Allison spent 10 years in Colorado working at various nonprofit organizations, most recently at the Colorado Rural Health Center running a grant program through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In her spare time, she loves traveling, volunteering, concert-going, and spending time with friends and family.
Handling salmon grants:
Kalispel Tribe-Pend Oreille Lead Entity, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region
Sandy Dotts joined in RCO in November 2021. Previously, she worked for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she spent 21 years as both a habitat biologist and watershed steward in northeast Washington. She was active in the Kalispel Tribe-Pend Oreille Lead Entity for salmon grants for more than 20 years and had provided technical assistance on many Salmon Recovery Funding Board and Family Forest Fish Passage Program grants. Sandy received her bachelor of science degree in natural resource management from Washington State University. She and her husband live in Colville with their two horses.
Marc joined RCO in 1999 as an outdoor grants manager for the Salmon Section and became manager of the section in 2021. His team, which he refers to as passionate, energetic, and hilarious, manages grants for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration program, Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board, Chehalis Basin Strategy, Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, Family Forest Fish Passage Program, and the Washington Coast Restoration and Resiliency Initiative. Before coming to RCO, he was the shorelines and watershed planner for Lewis County and a transportation planner for the Washington Department of Transportation. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in geography from Western Washington University (Go Vikings!). Marc was born and raised in the Puget Sound region and will probably never leave our great state. He is blessed with a wife, from Port Angeles, four adult children, and one granddaughter. Marc is happiest outside, especially in the mountains…where he is free.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
King County (Seattle is managed separately), King County Government, Department of Natural Resources (DNR State Lands Restoration), Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park
Hayley joined RCO in October 2022 as an outdoor grants manager. She has worked in the parks and conservation field for more than 9 years. She started her career as a park ranger for the National Park Service and most recently was an environmental planner for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She holds a bachelor of arts in law, societies, and justice and a master of public administration, both from the University of Washington. Hayley enjoys baking treats and then hiking, camping, backpacking, or running to cancel out the calories.
Handling salmon grants:
North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity for Salmon, North Pacific Coast Lead Entity, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, Quinault Indian Nation Lead Entity, Washington Coast Salmon Recovery Region
Alissa is an outdoor grants manager for the Salmon Section. Before joining RCO in 2018, she managed the state’s nonpoint source water quality grants program, where she worked on policy issues, grant database implementation, federal reporting, and grant administration and coordination. Alissa also worked in the solid waste program managing public participation outreach grants and the recycling hotline, among other duties, during her 11-year tenure at the Washington State Department of Ecology. She studied environmental science at Washington State University and received a bachelor of science degree with an emphasis in biology. Alissa grew up moving around the country as a military dependent but spent her formative years in Hawaii where she developed a love of the ocean. She landed in Washington and made it her home. She continues to play outside surfing, paddle boarding, snowboarding, camping, and hiking. Alissa enjoys a good laugh and travels as much as possible.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Snohomish County, Department of Natural Resources (DNR Recreation Grants), Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Dan joined RCO in 2004 as an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grant Section. He works with the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, and Snohomish County, focusing mainly on trail grants. Dan’s experience includes 7 years with the states of Utah and Idaho as a park ranger. He earned a bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree from Utah State University as well as a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He was raised in eastern Washington and enjoys the outdoors.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Clallam County, Jefferson County, Mason County, Whatcom County, Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW State Lands Restoration), Olympic National Forest, Olympic National Park
Andrea joined RCO in September 2022. Previously, she was an environmental planner with the Department of Fish and Wildlife where she managed contracts for the Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale University. She is an enthusiastic outdoor recreationist who loves water sports like kayaking and sailing, and also enjoys hiking and spending time in the great outdoors with her family.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
State Parks and Recreation Commission
Karl joined RCO in 2009 and is a senior outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grant Section. He manages a portfolio of grants and assists with policy and procedure development. Before coming to RCO, Karl negotiated commercial real estate leases for the then-Washington State Department of General Administration, and worked on a variety of real estate transactions for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Western Washington University and a master degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Karl grew up in western Washington and enjoys music, softball, hiking, and camping with his family.
Handling salmon grants:
Green/Duwamish, and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Lead Entity, Island County Lead Entity, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, Skagit Watershed Council Lead Entity
Bridget Kaminski joined RCO in November 2021. She worked previously at the Washington Department of Natural Resources, where she spent 14 years as an aquatic land manager and natural resource technician in Jefferson and Clallam Counties. There, she provided technical assistance on a wide variety of projects and reviewed many Salmon Recovery Funding Board projects on the Olympic Peninsula. She grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, fished for salmon along Whidbey Island and for steelhead in the Dungeness River, and now fly fishes in local streams and lakes. She also is a beekeeper. Bridget earned her bachelor of science degree in wildlife biology from Washington State University. She and her family live in Port Ludlow.
Handling salmon grants:
Hood Canal Coordinating Council Lead Entity, Hood Canal Salmon Recovery Region, Kennedy-Goldsborough Basin (WRIA 14) Salmon Recovery Lead Entity, Nisqually River Salmon Recovery Lead Entity, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region
Josh joined RCO in 2015 as an outdoor grants manager in the Salmon Section. Josh came to RCO with more than 12 years of experience in natural resource assessment, conservation, and management, working throughout a wide range of western U.S. ecosystems from high desert to temperate rain forest. Josh earned his bachelor of environmental science degree from the Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University, and a master’s degree in plant systematics at Oregon State University. When not focused on work, Olympia area music projects, or backcountry pursuits, he and his wife are driven to complete wonderment and joyful exhaustion by their daughter and son.
Handling salmon grants:
Chehalis Basin Lead Entity
Sasha joined RCO in July 2022 as a salmon grants manager. She has a bachelor’s degree in science and technology from the University of California-Berkley and more than 18 years of experience working on environmental issues, with the past 3 as a property and acquisition specialist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There she managed 40 grants worth $50 million. She enjoys spending time with her family and dog, surfing, gardening, fishing, and painting. She also is known for her homemade Claussen dill pickles!
Handling salmon grants:
Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Region, San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery
Kat joined RCO in 2010 as an outdoor grants manager with the salmon recovery program. Kat is now the senior grants manager and manages grants in the north Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Island lead entities. Before joining RCO, Kat worked in private land conservation. Kat studied natural resources at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and has a law degree and master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Oregon. Kat’s love of the outdoors comes from spending summers as a kid hiking and camping in the Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness of eastern Oregon.
Handling salmon grants:
Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity, Snake River Salmon Recovery Region
Alice joined RCO as a outdoor grants manager in the Salmon Section in 2013. She has dedicated her career to natural resources conservation, restoration, and protection. Alice manages projects in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Region, is RCO's Washington Coast Restoration and Resiliency program manager, and provides assistance to other programs in the Salmon Section.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW Conservation Grants)
Kim is an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section specializing in programs related to conservation and farmland and forestland preservation. Before joining RCO in 2007, she worked at the Washington Department of Natural Resources in forest practices, habitat conservation planning, and timber sales. She came to Washington State after more than a dozen years working seasonal wildlife and conservation jobs with state and federal agencies across the United States. She studied wildlife biology at Colorado State University and has a master’s degree from The Evergreen State College.
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Adams County, Asotin County, Benton County, Columbia County, Franklin County, Garfield County, Grant County, Kittitas County, Klickitat County, Lincoln County, Pend Oreille County, Stevens County, Walla Walla County, Whitman County, Yakima County, Colville National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (Naches Ranger District), Umatilla National Forest
Jesse started with RCO in 2018 as an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. He assists RCO’s partners and grant recipients with proposal development and project management. Jesse came to RCO with 18 years of natural resources management experience from two different agencies: Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. Jesse holds a bachelor of science degree in outdoor recreation management from Central Washington University. In his spare time, Jesse enjoys spending time with his family hiking, fishing, camping, and playing some acoustic guitar!
Handling recreation and conservation grants:
Kitsap County, Pierce County, Thurston County
Henry joined RCO in January 2022 as an outdoor grants manager for the Recreation and Conservation Grants Section. Previously, he coordinated environmental and educational AmeriCorps programs with the Washington Service Corps in the Employment Security Department. He also has worked for the Nisqually Land Trust and Pacific Education Institute, and even spent time as an AmeriCorps member on a backcountry chainsaw crew in Eugene, Oregon. Henry graduated from Pacific Lutheran University’s International Honors Program in 2016 with a degree in environmental studies and communications. He is working toward a master's degree in public administration program at The Evergreen State College, focusing on public policy and the environment. When he’s not working, Henry enjoys kayaking, visiting museums, playing basketball, and hiking.
Handling salmon grants:
Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board Lead Entity, WRIA 1 Watershed Management Board Lead Entity
Bob joined RCO in August 2022 as a salmon grants manager. He has spent the past 23 years at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rising through the ranks from scientific technician to area habitat biologist to assistant regional habitat program manager, all in the La Conner office. He has provided technical assistance to salmon habitat restoration practitioners, primarily to the Skagit Watershed Council lead entity, and represented the department in local forums on regulations, habitat recovery, and related political issues. Bob received his bachelor’s degree in environmental science and chemistry from Western Washington University. In his spare time, he likes to hunt, fish, hike, and hang out with his daughter in Portland.