Every now and then, it’s good to trade the conference room for the trailhead.
This week, the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition’s Board and staff gathered in beautiful Port Gamble for two days of planning, collaboration, and a healthy dose of outdoor adventure. Huge thanks to Jon Rose and the Rayonier team for hosting us at the stunning Hood Canal Vista Pavilion and sharing the remarkable story of Port Gamble’s transformation. Their partnership made the retreat possible, and the site itself was the perfect backdrop for conversations about conservation, recreation, and community.
A Board Retreat with Big Decisions
Before diving into business, Board members laced up their hiking boots for a tour of the Port Gamble Mountain Bike Ride Park. Led by Jon Rose and local community leader Lynn Schorn, the tour showcased what thoughtful, long-term collaboration can accomplish. The Port Gamble project is an inspiring example of conservation, recreation, tribal partnership, historic preservation, and sustainable development all coming together – a model we’ll be talking about for years to come.
Then it was time to get to work.
The biggest headline from our time together? Our Board officially approved a $150 million funding recommendation for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) for the 2027–29 biennium. After months of analysis and discussion, our Board affirmed that maintaining this ambitious, proven funding level is the right path forward as we begin preparing for the next legislative session.
We also welcomed outstanding new leaders to the Coalition. Please join us in welcoming new Board members Ted Willhite, Bill Clarke, Conor Marshall, and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, along with several new committee members who will help strengthen our work in the years ahead.
The retreat also marked an exciting leadership transition. After years of dedicated service, Paul Graves will conclude tenure as Board Chair in September, passing the gavel to Clayton Graham. We are deeply grateful to Paul for his thoughtful leadership and steady guidance, and we’re excited to welcome Clayton as he leads the Coalition into its next chapter.
On the policy front, we also celebrated Bill Clarke stepping into the role of Chair of our State Policy Committee, succeeding Skippy Shaw, whose leadership helped the Coalition achieve record WWRP funding over the past two legislative sessions. Thank you, Skippy, for your tremendous service – and congratulations on your exciting new role at Helion Energy!
The afternoon was filled with strategic planning discussions as Board members rolled up their sleeves to help shape the Coalition’s future priorities. We wrapped up the day with a lively happy hour overlooking Hood Canal, where Board members, local leaders, and partners had the chance to connect, celebrate, and enjoy the spectacular setting together.
Celebrating the Career of a Coalition Legend
Finally – in perhaps the most bittersweet moment of our retreat – we celebrated the extraordinary career of our fearless and inspirational lobbyist, Majken Ryherd, who is retiring after decades of championing conservation in Olympia.
As a co-founder of Waypoint Consulting, Majken has been a driving force behind the Coalition’s success and one of the most effective advocates for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program. Her work has helped secure the robust, bipartisan investments that have made WWRP one of Washington’s most successful conservation and recreation programs.
One of our favorite Majken stories goes all the way back to high school. When a teacher asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Majken confidently answered, “A lobbyist.” The teacher’s response? “A what?” Fortunately for all of us, Majken knew exactly what she wanted – and Washington’s parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and working lands are better because she followed that path.
Majken has built an extraordinary career, inspired countless advocates, and left an indelible mark on the Coalition and conservation across Washington. While we’ll miss her immensely, we’re thrilled for her well-earned retirement.
And if you’re wondering where to find her these days… rumor has it the Jefferson Bowling Club might be a good place to start. Happy retirement, Majken, and thank you for everything.
Staff Retreat: Keeping the Momentum Going
The next morning, after a night of car camping (yes, everyone brought their own adventure rig!), the staff embraced the Hood Canal lifestyle.
We started the day paddling tandem kayaks on Hood Canal – with Ranger, Yvonne’s dog, happily joining the flotilla – before fueling up with fried chicken and waffles at the aptly named Whiskey and Waffles (a little early for whiskey, but we’ll be back to sample the libations :)). To cap things off, Yvonne and Carly squeezed in a mountain bike ride on the very trail system we’d toured the day before.
Not a bad way to recharge before diving back into the work ahead.
As we head into the next phase of our WWRP advocacy campaign, we’re energized by the conversations, partnerships, and shared commitment that made these retreats such a success. Here’s to building momentum, strengthening relationships, and working together to secure another $150 million investment in Washington’s parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and working lands.
