Making the Case for Our Natural Heritage
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition garnered significant media attention as communities worried about the future of the WWRP grant program. Here are some of the 12 editorials, 22 op-eds and 58 articles the Coalition secured across Washington around the 2011 state and federal budgets. You can always find the full listing of WWRP press and press releases under the 'Newsroom' tab.
Op-Ed: Washington Senate is making a mistake on state Wildlife and Recreation Program
By Dan Evans and Mike Lowry
Published May 1, 2011
Excerpt: In these difficult budget times, the Washington Legislature's need to cut back the Wildlife and Recreation Program is understandable, write Dan Evans and Mike Lowry, program co-founders and former state governors. But the state Senate's more political approach would put the program in peril. Read more...
Also from King County newspapers
Seattle Times Op-Ed: America's Great Outdoors relies on continued public investment Jun 25, 2010
Issaquah Press Op-Ed: Even in tough times, outdoors still important Jul 7, 2011
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber: Despite a tough session, lawmakers find funds for Whispering Firs Bog May 31, 2011
Issaquah Press: Legislators preserve dollars for trail projects May 31, 2011
Auburn Reporter: Green River Gorge Trail funding threatened by crisis politics Apr 20, 2011
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber: Opinion: Whispering Firs is an Island spot to treasure Mar 16, 2011
Seattle P-I: Reichert bucks party, preserves conservation fund Feb 17, 2011
Editorial: Time is ripe to improve access to Rattlesnake
Published April 28, 2011
Excerpt: The state has a chance to convert a broad swath of private land on Rattlesnake Mountain to public use, and the Legislature ought to jump on it while it can. Read more...
Also from the Tri-City Herald
Opinion: McWhorter Ranch Jun 22, 2011
McWhorter Ranch funds big win for Mid-Columbia Jun 6, 2011
Editorial: Politics has no place in state wildlife and habitat program
Published April 27, 2011
Excerpt: The coalition works because people of all political stripes understand the need to create special places while that’s still possible. Read more...
Also from The Olympian
LTE: Some Republicans see value of fund Aug 21, 2011
Editorial: House GOP out of touch about support for conservation fund Aug 08, 2011
Editorial: Lawmakers wise to keep politics out of preservation program Jun 2, 2011
No accord on funding to protect open space Apr 19, 2011
Funds for wildlife, recreation program are worthwhile Oct 27, 2010
Editorial: Lawmakers must protect state wildlife fund
Published April 12, 2011
Excerpt: Even in good times, when fiscal pressures are light, Eastern Washingtonians have to fight an uphill battle for a fair share of state budget allocations. For 21 years, however, an admirable exception to that pattern has been the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. Read more...
Also from the Spokesman-Review
Op-Ed: Preserve WWRP funding May 4, 2011
Outdoors Blog: Antoine Peak land deal back in running for state funding Apr 7, 2011
Opinion: Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program deserves Olympia’s attention Mar 10, 2011
Editorial: Cut, but don't kill
Published March 18, 2011
Excerpt: State's WWRP has worked so well for so long; don't simply extinguish a good program. There’s a big difference between cutting and killing. It’s like the difference between thoughtful, priority-driven budget writing and the careless extermination of meaningful programs. Read more...
Also from The Columbian
Camas community celebrates park’s opening Aug 18, 2011
Legislators protected farmlands Jun 13, 2011
Editorial: In Our View - More Bricks, Mortar May 31, 2011
Budget overshadows environment in Olympia Apr 22, 2011
Conservation fund cuts would affect county projects Apr 7, 2011
Op-Ed: Land and Water Conservation Fund Mar 13, 2011
Editorial: To keep it alive
Published March 13, 2011
Excerpt: Speaking of unpleasant realities, there is an enormously beneficial state effort called the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. In its 20-year life it has funded hundreds of projects — parks, trails, conservation — throughout the state. It is about to be cut off, dropped to zero or something not far above that. That is a shame. Read more...
Also from The Wenatchee World
Opinion: Legislature spares a good program Jun 21, 2011
Op-Ed: For conservation, a bad choice May 7, 2011
Op-Ed: Legislature should keep parks and trails program
Published October 20, 2010
Excerpt: Now is not the time to eliminate a capital-side program that infuses our community with so much money, that creates jobs, and supports healthy people and a healthy environment. Read more...
Also from The News Tribune
Op-Ed: This Earth Day, we need both public investment and private enterprise Apr 22, 2011
Board gives Mid-Columbia $3M for recreation projects Jul 1, 2011
Op-Ed: Conservation fund must be preserved Nov 10, 2010
Additional editorials and opinion pieces from around the state:
Everett Herald Op-Ed: Investing in state's heritage, prosperity Jul 16, 2011
Anacortes American Opinion: WWRP funding benefits wildlife, quality of life Jun 29, 2011
Peninsula Gateway Op-Ed: State legislators made right move for future with recreation program Jun 22, 2011
Kitsap Sun Opinion: Wildlife and habitat vital to state's prosperity Jun 14, 2011
Bainbridge Island Review Op-Ed: Rescue Forest-to-Sky Trail, other county treasures May 20, 2011
Chinook Observer Editorial: Senate should do as experts say: Fund North Head trail spur Apr 26, 2011
Everett Herald Op-Ed: Senate should adopt House plan on critical recreation funding Apr 26, 2011
Longview Daily News Editorial: Help save nation's treasures Oct 26, 2010
