Victory in Olympia: 50% increase for parks, wildlife funding!

We are thrilled to announce that the legislature significantly increased funding for our state’s most unique places in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. Dozens of parks, ballfields, elk habitat, streams for fish and clean water, bike trails, hiking trails, state parks, boat launches and working farm projects can move forward.

The legislature allocated $65 million, which will allow more than 80 projects to be completed across the state. See what will be funded in your community here.

 So much good will come of this investment:

• Kids will have places to play outside

• Families will have access to fresh, local food

• Elk, mule deer and other critical wildlife habitat will be protected

• The public will have guaranteed access to Washington’s great outdoors

• Farmers will continue to work the land their families have owned for generations

• Local communities and local economies will thrive.
  

So many people are deserving of thanks–first and foremost all of you. Without your support and tireless dedication to our state’s natural heritage, none of this would have been possible.

We also owe a great deal of thanks to our legislative leaders, in particular the four writers of the capital budget: Senator Jim Honeyford, Senator Sharon Nelson, Representative Hans Dunshee and Representative Judy Warnick.

Photo by Jason Taellious.