Funds Would Help Protect Areas Like LBA Woods

March 29, 2017

Op-Ed published in The Olympian discusses WWRP funding and local parks like the LBA woods, which has applied for a $1 million grant from WWRP.

Excerpt: “Until recently, these 150 acres of upland forest, located behind the city’s LBA Park, were slated for 800 single-family homes. Such development would have meant the near-total loss of valuable wildlife habitat, mature Douglas firs, western red cedars, big-leaf maple and a diverse understory of native shrubs and flowering plants. Maintaining open space and walking trails also protects places for people to connect with nature. Parks like these are vitally important to the physical health and mental well-being of our rapidly growing population.

Over the past few years, the Olympia community mounted a multi-year campaign and worked closely with the Olympia Parks and Recreation Department to save the LBA woods from development. The department has applied for a $1 million Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) grant that is a critical part of the financing to secure the LBA Woods and other parkland for the future.”

Read the whole article on The Olympian.