The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition’s Board of Directors has elected four new Board members: Kathe Fowler, Mark Doumit, Court Stanley and B.J. Brooks. All will serve a three-year term.
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition is a non-profit citizens group founded in 1989 in a historic bipartisan effort by former Governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry to support legislative funding of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP). The WWRP grant program provides funds to protect wildlife habitat and create outdoor recreation areas across the state. Coalition members consist of a diverse group of over 135 organizations representing conservation, business, recreation, hunting, fishing, farming, and community interests. Over the last 16 years the Coalition worked to raise $450 million in state funds for the WWRP grant program. This money leveraged an additional $315 million in local matching funds, for a total of $765 million. The WWRP has funded over 775 projects, encompassing over 250,000 acres of park land, ball fields and wildlife habitat across the state.
The Coalition is currently leading a campaign to double the WWRP’s funding from $50 million biennially to $100 million. More information can be found on the Coalition’s website at www.wildliferecreation.org
“These new members bring even more enthusiasm and expertise to an already-strong Board,” said Joanna Grist, Executive Director of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. “We’ll put them right to work in the next few weeks as we make the final push to persuade the Governor and Legislature to increase the WWRP’s funding to $100 million.”
The Coalition’s new board members are:
B.J. Brooks of Seattle, is interim-Superintendent of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, where she administrates a $117 million budget, 1,000 employees, over 26 community centers and 400 parks. Prior to becoming interim Superintendent she served as the department’s Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Staff. Before moving to Seattle, Ms. Brooks managed the City of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
Mark Doumit of Cathlamet is Executive Director of the Washington Forest Protective Association. A farmer and commercial fisherman, Doumit served in the Washington State Senate for four years, the Washington House of Representatives for six years, and the Wahkiakum County Commission for eight years.
Kathe Fowler of Woodinville is statewide chair of Washington Conservation Voters, and an active volunteer in the community.
C. Court Stanley of Centralia is President of Port Blakely Tree Farms. A University of Washington graduate in Forest Engineering, Stanley has worked for this 140 year old company since 1985.