March 2008 enews
10 Washington Farms Protected
The Legislature approved a total of $4.7 million in WWRP funding for counties to preserve 10 farms, benefiting valuable agricultural land throughout the state. The grants can be used for easements to help farmers sell the development rights on their land, lifting much of the financial pressure to develop and allowing them to continue farming.
Save the Date for Our Annual Breakfast!
The second annual Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition breakfast will be on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at the Seattle Sheraton (1400 6th Avenue). Thank you to our Title Sponsor, REI, and our Video Sponsor, the Washington Realtors.
Last year's event was a huge success, and this year will be as well. Join 500 leaders and activists in the conservation, outdoor recreation and business communities and more as we roam, explore and celebrate our accomplishments in protecting parks, wildlife habitat and farmlands.
To be a sponsor or a table captain, contact Jill Wasberg. Visit our website for more details on the breakfast.
Why I Give to the Coalition: Lee Fouts
The Coalition has a broad and diverse base of support, and this is what makes us so successful. Corporations, parks departments, agencies, conservation organizations, hunters and anglers, environmental and outdoor enthusiasts all understand the quality of life benefits that the Coalition adds throughout the state.
Coalition board member Lee Fouts, is an avid hunter and fisherman and volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He supports the Coalition because we've protected over 60,000 acres of valuable elk habitat and hundreds of miles of riparian habitat for salmon and steelhead in the state.
"From Grays Harbor to the Tieton River Canyon, the best places to hunt and fish are protected now and will be for future generations because of the work of the Coalition."
Bellevue's Highland Center Skateboard Plaza Ribbon Cutting
Bellevue Parks and Community Services will celebrate the opening of a new skate plaza at Highland Center with a ribbon cutting on May 16th. The city used a 300,000 WWRP grant to develop the new outdoor plaza to expand on the existing indoor skateboard park. The 12,000 square-foot plaza will be well lit in the evenings and will feature street skating elements like curbs, rails and stairs. The WWRP grant leveraged matching funds from the King County Youth Sports Facility Grant and City of Bellevue Neighborhood Enhancement and Bellevue Youth Link programs.
Bellevue Parks and Community Services is proud to support the Coalition's work by being an Agency Member!
Bellevue's Crossroads Water Spray Playground Celebration
A $300,000 grant from the WWRP helped fund the first playground in Bellevue designed to meet the needs of the physically impaired. On June 7th, Bellevue Parks and Community Services will host a grand opening of this new park which offers activities for all levels of physical abilities, and will be designed to promote an appreciation of the different cultures represented in the community. The WWRP grant leveraged matching funds from the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary, City of Bellevue, King County Parks and US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Funding Available for Parks, Habitat and Farmland
Cities, counties, tribes, lead entities for salmon recovery and special districts like ports, parks and schools are eligible to apply for WWRP grants.
Grant applications are due to the State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) by May 1, 2008 and will not be accepted again until 2010. For more information, contact the RCO at 360.902.3000, or visit www.rco.wa.gov.
Learn About Washington's Action Plan for Climate Protection
The Coalition is a co-presenter for Seattle City Club's April 25 Luncheon Forum, Climate Protection: What's Washington's Plan The forum will be on Friday, April 25, from 12:15 to 1:30. Join City Club and guests for lunch and learn about what challenges are ahead and what the state is doing to prepare. Register at the Seattle City Club website.
