What a night! Last week, our annual Fall Celebration brought together partners, advocates, and friends from across the state for an evening filled with laughter, connection, and stories. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us – your energy and enthusiasm made the night truly unforgettable. Here’s a look back at the highlights:
Relieve the evening and check out photos from the event here. All photos courtesy of Patrik Bangle.
A Year to Remember
We came together to toast an incredible year for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, one that saw $120 million secured for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP). That means 125+ new projects, ranging from playgrounds and trails to preserved farmland, will connect our communities and protect the places we love for generations to come.
But the night was about so much more than numbers. Behind every dollar secured and acre protected is a community of advocates that make our work possible. In her first Fall Celebration address, our Executive Director, Yvonne Kraus, reflected on the incredible people and partnerships that have fueled our impact since 1989:
“It’s our people, our community, and our relational connections to our place – our state – that truly define our success,” Yvonne shared. “Tonight is about celebrating all of us.”
An Evening of Generosity
From spirited bidding in the “Experience the Coalition” Live Auction to a sea of raised paddles in support of our mission, our community came up big to move us closer to our annual fundraising goal. Your generosity helps us keep advocating for the outdoor places that make Washington such an extraordinary place to live, work, and play.
Couldn’t make it last week but feeling generous? No problem – you can still help us meet our annual fundraising goal!
Honoring Bipartisan Leadership
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Evans & Lowry Distinguished Leadership Award, named after two former Washington State governors – Dan Evans and Mike Lowry – who came together across party lines to found the Coalition 35 years ago.
This year’s honorees, Senator Yasmin Trudeau and Representative Mike Steele, embodied that same collaborative spirit. Their bipartisan leadership and dedication to a greener Washington helped secure historic funding for the WWRP, even in the midst of one of the toughest budget years in recent memory.
We also launched a new recognition this year: the Coalition Catalyst Award, honoring former staff who continue to carry the Coalition’s mission forward in new roles across the state. Congratulations to our inaugural honorees: Christine Mahler, Tom Bugert, Betsy Robblee, Rob Sendak, and Hannah Clark.
Each of these leaders helped shape the Coalition into what it is today and continue to champion our values of collaboration, integrity, and innovation in their ongoing work.
Stories of Restoration and Renewal
Our featured speaker, Kelli Bush, Co-Director of the Sustainability in Prisons Project, shared an extraordinary story about the intersection of conservation and human transformation.
Through WWRP-supported partnerships, incarcerated women at the Mission Creek Corrections Center have raised thousands of endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, helping to restore the South Sound prairies – and in doing so, finding their own sense of purpose and connection.
This project captures the heart of what the WWRP makes possible: long-term investments that restore both land and lives.
Thank You
To our sponsors, awardees, speakers, and every guest who joined us – thank you. Your energy, generosity, and passion keep this movement growing and Washington’s outdoors thriving.
Because of you, we’re one step closer to ensuring that the parks, trails, and wildlife we cherish today will still be here tomorrow.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you again next year! And in the meantime, we hope to see you outside 😊