Over the past few weeks, the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition was thrilled to bring together partners, advocates, elected officials, and community leaders for two successful “Meet the WWRC” happy hour events in Spokane and Tacoma.
We reconnected with old friends, made new connections, celebrated recent wins for conservation and recreation, and set the stage for the Coalition’s WA Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) advocacy in 2027!
Spokane: Raising a Glass to Washington’s Outdoors
On May 28, WWRC supporters gathered in Spokane for an evening of conversation and collaboration hosted by Bobby Whittaker of Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, Coalition Board member Jordan Rash, and Dan Wilson of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
We were honored to welcome Senator Marcus Riccelli, who shared remarks highlighting the importance of investing in parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation opportunities that strengthen communities throughout Washington. His leadership and support for conservation and recreation funding continues to make a real difference.
The event also brought together an impressive group of partners and advocates, including representatives from Washington Trails Association, The Lands Council, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Vaagen Brothers Lumber, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, the Governor’s Office, and many others!
And yes – there were three Dan Wilsons in attendance. While we’re still not entirely sure how that happened, we’re confident it’s some kind of Washington conservation record.
Tacoma: Bringing Outdoor Champions Together in the South Sound
The momentum continued on June 11 in Tacoma, where Coalition Board member Jordan Rash and his family generously hosted an evening overlooking the South Sound. Thanks to Jordan, guests enjoyed locally sourced wild game and fish while connecting with fellow conservation and recreation supporters.
We were honored to hear remarks from Senator Yasmin Trudeau, an ex-officio member of the Coalition’s Board of Directors and Vice Chair, Capital, on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Senator Trudeau spoke passionately about protecting Washington’s natural landscapes and ensuring future generations have access to the outdoor experiences that make our state so special.
The event brought together an outstanding group of leaders and partners, including Representative Jake Fey, Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, RCO Executive Director Megan Duffy, Seattle Port Commissioner and Coalition Board member Fred Felleman, the Coalition’s Former Executive Director and current Kubota Garden Foundation ED, Christine Mahler, and many others who have spent years championing conservation and recreation investments.
Thank You, Legislators and Partners
One of the best parts of these events was seeing so many people from different backgrounds, organizations, and communities come together around a shared belief: Washington’s parks, trails, wildlife habitat, working lands, and outdoor spaces are worth investing in.
We’re especially grateful to the legislators and local elected officials who joined us, shared their perspectives, and continue to champion conservation and recreation funding. Their support helped secure $120 million for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program in the 2025–27 Capital Budget, funding more than 120 projects across the state.
As we look toward the next biennium, we’re excited to keep building on that momentum. With strong partnerships, dedicated advocates, and committed legislative champions, the future of the WWRP looks bright.
Thank you to everyone who attended, hosted, spoke, and supported these events. We’ll see you out on the trail, at the park, on the water, or at our next WWRC gathering!