[Seattle, WA] The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition (WWRC) will honor the outstanding work of former Governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry at the Coalition’s Annual Breakfast this Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Westin Seattle. The former governors will be honored with the inaugural Evans & Lowry Distinguished Leadership Award, recognizing extraordinary collaborations advancing Washington’s great outdoors, which will be presented by special guests Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Hans Zeiger (R—Puyallup).
Governor Dan Evans and the late Governor Mike Lowry were the embodiment of just such a unique collaboration when they came together, as former political rivals across party lines, to become Founding Co-Chairs of the Coalition in 1989. Their work, along with the work of a diverse group of bipartisan advocates, was instrumental in the creation of the nationally-acclaimed Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP).
“The work of Governors Evans and Lowry remains an inspiration to everyone in the recreation and conservation community,” said Coalition Executive Director Andrea McNamara Doyle. “It is our great pleasure to present Governor Evans and Mrs. Mary Lowry with this award.”
In this time of unprecedented polarization and partisanship, the partnership of Evans and Lowry is truly laudable. This “odd couple” possessed a true understanding of legislative compromise and bipartisanship. Their work began a 27-year legacy of cooperation across the aisle to protect Washington’s most valuable outdoor resources and ensure public access for future generations. As a result, the Coalition has helped secure over $1.3 billion for outdoor recreation and conservation, preserving some of our state’s most treasured landscapes and natural areas.
“The legacy of Governors Evans and Lowry can be seen across the landscape. Their fingerprints are on every corner of the state, from parks in urban areas, to trails in rural areas, to habitat across the North Cascades,” said Kaleen Cottingham, Director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).
Bringing together business leaders, politicians, community leaders, philanthropists, and Coalition members, the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition Annual Breakfast will recognize great leaders in protecting and promoting Washington’s outdoor spaces, showcase key projects the Coalition has made possible, and celebrate the success of the Coalition and the WWRP. To attend, please contact christine@wildliferecreation.org.
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About the WWRC
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition is a nonprofit organization that leverages the voices of a large and diverse group of allied interests working together to obtain robust public funding for Washington’s great outdoors.
About the WWRP
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is our state’s premier conservation and recreation grant program which provides matching funds to create new local and state parks, protect wildlife habitat, and preserve working lands.