$1.6 Million Awarded for 5,705 Acres in Cowiche/Tieton Region

Last month $1.6 million in Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) funds were awarded to protect 5,705 acres in the Cowiche/Tieton River Canyon and Watershed in Yakima County.  The Coalition was instrumental in advocating for this funding during the 2007 legislative session.

To date, the WWRP has protected over 15,000 acres for elk, steelhead and bull trout in the Cowiche/Tieton region. Since the WWRP grant program was established, a total of nearly $8 million has helped Wa. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife preserve the area for hikers, hunters, and fisherman. Partners in the effort include the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Ground-breaking for Mt. Vernon's Kiwanis Park

Up until this June, the City of Mount Vernon was just one grant away from breaking ground on Kiwanis Park. With this year's WWRP grant,  the city finally celebrated the creation of a multi-use facility that includes ball fields, a basketball court and picnic area. WWRP funds were matched by the city and a significant contribution from the local Kiwanis Club.

State Agency Approves $100M in Grants for Parks, Habitat and Farmland

Last month, in Spokane, the state’s Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (formerly the IAC) approved $100 million in new grants from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) for 132 projects across the state.

The $100 million reflects a doubling of the budget for the WWRP by the State Legislature and Governor Gregoire in the 2007-2009 Capital Budget. This is the state's largest investment in parks and natural areas in Washington's history. The unprecedented budget increase will provide much needed state funding for many worthwhile projects across the state, including new neighborhood parks, trails, campgrounds, and protection of wildlife habitat and family farms.

Changes at the Recreation and Conservation Office

Laura Johnson, Director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (formerly the IAC) has announced her resignation in September. This summer, the R&C Funding Board will provide a list of candidates to the Governor, who will appoint a new director. Thank you for your service, Laura. You will be missed.

This state agency administers the WWRP and seven other state and federal grant programs. It also staffs the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the Biodiversity Council, Invasive Species Council and the Governor's Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health.

Breakfast Sponsorship Opportunities Available

The Coalition kicks off a new event this fall with a breakfast at the Seattle Sheraton on September 26. We are currently recruiting corporate and community sponsors to underwrite this event. If your company or organization is interested in this promotional opportunity, please visit the sponsorship page of our website.

Board and Staff News

On June 12, Executive Director Joanna Grist gave birth to a 9 lb. baby boy named Emmett.

Founding Co-Chair, Governor Mike Lowry, also became a grandpa to Tyler Edward Oakes (see picture below) on June 16.

We welcome our newest, and smallest, Coalition members!

Help Support Our Work

The Coalition is a non-profit membership organization which does not receive any of the funding it lobbies for in Olympia, so we rely on the support of members like you!

Your support leverages millions of dollars for outdoor recreation and protected wildlife habitat. Click here to contribute to and join the Coalition today!