The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) launched in 1991 with a bold vision: to create new parks, protect critical habitat, and preserve working lands for people and wildlife across our state. More than three decades later, we’re throwing it back to the ’90s to spotlight a few standout projects from the program’s first decade.
Loon Lake
In the early ’90s, the Department of Fish and Wildlife used a $95,000 WWRP – Critical Habitat grant to protect nearly 15 acres of wetlands along the shores of Loon Lake. These marshlands provide vital nesting and resting habitat for loons and other migratory waterfowl.
But Loon Lake isn’t just for the birds – it’s a beloved destination for anglers, boaters, swimmers, and anyone who loves life on the water. It’s even home to Washington’s record-breaking tiger trout, caught in 2022 and weighing a whopping 27 lbs., 7 oz! And if you happen to be there on the 4th of July, don’t miss the unofficial boat parade – an exciting tradition where decorated boats circle the lake in a festive procession.
Squak Mountain State Park
In the 1990s, State Parks tapped into WWRP funding five times – over $4.1 million in total – to shape what is now Squak Mountain State Park. These acquisitions stitched together hundreds of acres of forest and trails, creating critical wildlife corridors that connect Squak with Cougar and Tiger Mountain in the “Issaquah Alps.”
Thanks to that early investment, Squak Mountain today offers a green escape just minutes from Seattle. Visitors can wander mossy trails, cross bubbling streams, or spot a peek-a-boo view of the skyline through the trees. From hiking and horseback riding to birdwatching and geocaching, Squak Mountain State Park embodies the WWRP’s mission: protecting nature while creating space for people to enjoy it.
Hat Island
In 1994, the Department of Natural Resources secured $670,000 in WWRP – Natural Areas funding to protect Hat Island, a 92-acre jewel on the western edge of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Hat Island is a haven for wildlife – bald eagles and peregrine falcons perch on its shores while seabirds and shorebirds feed in surrounding waters. Visitors to the area glimpse sweeping grasslands dotted with camas, clover, and wildrye, backed by stands of Douglas fir and madrone. It’s one of the easternmost islands in the San Juan group, visible from Anacortes and Bayview, and a vital piece of the Salish Sea ecosystem.
From lakeside wetlands to island sanctuaries to mountain trails, these 1990s WWRP projects remind us how visionary investments in conservation and recreation can ripple forward for decades. Here’s to carrying that legacy onward!