Coalition Blog

This is the blog for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, where we'll share e-news and feature posts on Washington's public lands.

[wildliferecreation]

Register for Forestland Preservation Webinar on March 8

Register now for an RCO webinar on the new WWRP category, Forestland Preservation. Photo Credit:  Ed Suominen.

This year, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) will accept grant applications for projects to conserve commercial forests in the newly created Forestland Preservation Category of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. Grant applications will be accepted through May 2, 2017.

Join the RCO Application Webinar on March 8 at 1 p.m. This Webinar will give you information on:

·         The Forestland Preservation Category

·         Applicant and project eligibility

·         Application process and schedules

·         How to apply for a grant

Reserve your webinar seat now

About the Forestland Preservation Category (information compiled by the RCO):

The forestland preservation grant program provides funding to lease or buy voluntary land preservation agreements (also called conservation easements) for forests to ensure the lands remain available for timber production in the future.

The program is part of the larger Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which was created in 1990 to buy land for outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. In 2016, the state Legislature expanded the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to include preservation of forestland with the goal of supporting working forests that also provide connectivity, habitat enhancement, sustainable ecological benefits, and public access.

Through the forestland preservation program, grant recipients also may help restore habitat in the forest.

Read the Coalition press release for more information.

Grant Applications Due May 2, 2017

[wildliferecreation]

Thank You Karen + Trudy!

The Coalition thanks two valuable staff members as they transition to new positions (left to right: Trudy Soriano and Karen Withers).

Last month, the Coalition said a fond farewell to two of our staff members: Karen Withers, Office Manager and Executive Assistant, and Trudy Soriano, Program Assistant. While we are sad to see them go, we are excited for them in their new adventures!

Karen Withers started working at the Coalition in February 2014 and has been a steadfast member of the team through a time of transition and changes to the WWRP program, managing daily operations and administration at the Seattle office. The Coalition is deeply grateful for her hard work, institutional knowledge, and fun-loving attitude. Karen will be moving on to work in a small family practice on Bainbridge Island. Best of luck, and our heartfelt thanks, Karen!

Trudy Soriano began as a fellow for the Coalition in Spring 2015, and was promoted to Program Assistant in October 2016. She has been instrumental in helping the Coalition with a wide variety of projects, ranging from organizing ribbon cuttings to helping with graphic design projects. Trudy is now using her knowledge and passion for the great outdoors at her new position with Snohomish Parks and Recreation. Thank you for your tireless work, Trudy!

The Coalition is truly grateful for the hard work and determination that both Karen and Trudy have contributed to our organization over the years.

[wildliferecreation]

Recap: Legislative Day 2017

Over 90 advocates from across Washington state came to speak up for our great outdoors at this year’s Legislative Day.

The Coalition is thrilled to have completed a successful “Parks & Great Outdoors” Legislative Day this past February 13.

For those readers who attended, you know we had excellent turnout and accomplished our primary goal of showing broad support for the Coalition's $120 million funding request for WWRP. In fact, our final tallies show that we had:

Over 90 individuals from all over Washington come to advocate on behalf of the WWRP, including well over a dozen new people and organizations who have never been part of our efforts before.

More than 115 meetings with over 100 legislators and their staff, covering 39 of the state's 49 legislative districts.

A well-attended reception with more than 125 attendees, including several legislators.

Special thanks are in order to our co-hosts for the day, the Washington Recreation & Parks Association (WRPA), who organized a very informative lunch session with remarks from all four of the legislative caucuses, including our newest WWRC Board Member Rep. Drew MacEwen; Senate budget writers Sen. David Frockt and Sen. Judy Warnick; and House Capital Budget Chairman Rep. Steve Tharinger. While they all reminded us of the intense pressures on the capital budget this year, given the demands for new school construction funding, they also reinforced just how impactful it is for legislators to continue hearing from their constituents about the need to adequately invest in conservation and recreation at the same time. They shared some emerging ideas being considered for expanding the state's capital budget capacity and urged us to keep up the drumbeat of support for WWRP.

We are still relatively early in the legislative session. The Senate and House are now deep into the process of developing their budget priorities and proposals. We expect them to release their proposed budgets in mid-March, after which we'll be looking for more support from our networks in advocating for WWRP. In the meantime, please feel free to check in with Coalition staff for more details about what's happening in Olympia and what you can do to help.

[wildliferecreation]

12 Months of WWRP: Trails

This month's featured WWRP category is Trails, and the highlighted project is the Mailbox Peak Trail Development.

The old trail to Mailbox Peak was legendary for its difficulty—and for the number of injuries and rescues it led to each year. The steep trail ascended some 3,800 feet in two and a half miles over rocky terrain, posing a serious challenge to even seasoned hikers.

Due to heavy foot traffic on this popular hike, overuse of the trail began to create heavy erosion. Concerned about the risk to hikers and the expense of frequent restoration work on the trail, the Department of Natural Resources used a series of WWRP grants to create a safer route to the summit. The updated and renovated trail is more accessible to hikers of different levels, although beginners are still recommended to work up to a hike of this difficulty. The investments reduced erosion of the landscape and damage to the trail, improved safety, and expanded access to what remains a popular, yet challenging, hike.

Learn more about Mailbox Peak on the Washington Trails Association website.

[wildliferecreation]

Inslee Appoints Three Members to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board

Governor Inslee has appointed three to the board that oversees grant fund distribution for recreation and conservation in Washington state.

Governor Inslee recently appointed two new members, as well as one returning, to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, which awards $250 million in grants for Washington state recreation and conservation each biennium. These grants go towards creating recreational opportunities like camping, hiking, boating, and hunting, and for the protection/preservation of wildlife habitat and working farms and forests.

The two new members are civil engineer and Seattleite Kathryn Gardow and Methow Trails program manager Danica Ready. The returning member is Michael Deller, a retired executive director of the Port of Everett. All three bring a passion for championing Washington’s outdoor spaces.

“We are fortunate in Washington to have many people who are passionate about the outdoors and willing to serve on this board. These three talented people have the skills needed to ensure that Washingtonians have great places for outdoor recreation and that we conserve the best parts of our natural heritage,” said Inslee.

Read more and review full bios of the three appointees in the RCO press release.

[wildliferecreation]

Rob’s Road Notes: Building Strong Partnerships

External Affairs Manager Rob Sendak reflects on building meaningful partnerships with existing Coalition stakeholders and welcoming in new members.

As the days are now beginning to get longer, my mind drifts towards summer while I sift through charts and maps of trails and waterways that are yet unknown (to me anyway) in the state of Washington. I normally get to take an overnight kayaking trip up in the San Juan Islands every August, and my planning begins now. 

With trail and wilderness exploration on my mind, my work with the Coalition feels even more important than ever. This past month, the Coalition leaned into some nonprofit partnerships and welcomed some new WWRC members with open arms: the Northwest Avalanche Center and the Student Conservation Association. Both groups will attend our Legislative Day on February 13th. We are so very proud to have these great organizations as stakeholders advocating for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program. SCA’s mission is “to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.” I’m not sure if I can think of a better mission statement than that.

Two other notable stakeholder collaborations this month took place with the Mountaineers and Islandwood. Having had the opportunity to go out to Bainbridge Island a few years ago and attend a meeting on Islandwood’s campus, I can tell you firsthand how impactful their programming is with kids. They are able to propel our youth into a different stratosphere in the outdoor education environment. And the Mountaineers….all Washingtonians know about this group, and their advocacy efforts are starting to be recognized on a national level. The Mountaineers have been longtime WWRC partners and have helped the Coalition recently by promoting our sign-on letter, which was sent to Governor Inslee in November recommending WWRP be funded at $120 million. We are still encouraging sign-ons, and are now over 1400 signatures strong! The Mountaineers also aided the Coalition by promoting our Legislative Day on February 13th. There are still a few spots available to advocate during our Leg Day—so come to Olympia, meet with your elected official,s and let them know why you believe funding the WWRP is so important! You can register here: http://bit.ly/LegDay2017.

Many thanks go out to all of these Coalition stakeholders for the work they do getting more folks outside, while taking care of the places where Washingtonians love to play. The hard work does not go unnoticed and the Coalition is very grateful for these efforts. These organizations are a part of the heart and soul of the Coalition…their members use the trails, waterways and parks that are so important to all of us that call Washington state our home. Thanks for supporting the Coalition and for advocating for WWRP!

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Rob’s Road Notes: Winthrop, Walla Walla, and Wauconda

External Affairs Manager Rob Sendak enjoying some quality time outdoors with his family in Central Washington.

I love the state of Washington. I have lived here nine years and I seem to have found a professional role that aligns with my personal values – how lucky am I? In the last 30 days, I have been lucky enough to travel to places in our state where I never thought I’d get to. One of those places is Wauconda, where I spent a few days with family and friends in the mountains over the New Year. I was able to get my family out into the back county on snowshoes and skis. It was truly a wonderful experience and one that I won’t soon forget.

When I travel to communities educating and advocating for the WWRP in my professional life, experiences like the one I had over the New Year help inspire me to tell the story of recreation and conservation in Washington State. And more specifically, to tell the story of how and why this program is so important for future generations. 

This December, I traveled to Winthrop for the Coalition, where I listened to community members talk about how their new WWRP-funded ice rink has helped create jobs, drive tourism, and kept kids active and healthy during the cold weather season. These positive influences on the community indicate to me what a successful project looks like. 

In Walla Walla, I spent time with local community and opinion leaders discussing how best they can leverage WWRP funds. School districts, ports, land trusts, and nonprofit organizations can now all apply to WWRP grants, and community leaders in Walla Walla County recognize the impact that their partnerships can have on these projects. 

But this is only the beginning of my work. There are communities all over Washington that can benefit from this program, and I take it on my shoulders personally to make sure that every town, city, and village I visit knows about the WWRP and the potential is has to create and protect local parks and wildlife habitat.

With the start of the New Year and the upcoming legislative session, I am more energized than ever to advocate for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. And there are many opportunities for you to do so as well: join me at Legislative Day on February 13 to make your voice heard at our state Capitol; write your elected officials; and call their offices and tell them you support $120 million for WWRP. 

Thank you for supporting the Coalition and our efforts to fully fund the WWRP. I’ll see you out on the trail!

[wildliferecreation]

12 Months of WWRP: Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area

This month’s feature WWRP category is Natural Areas, and we’ve chosen to highlight the Chehalis Surge Plain Natural Area. Photo Credit: RCO PRISM.

For every month of 2017, the Coalition is focusing on one of the twelve WWRP categories. This month, that category is Natural Areas!

The Chehalis Surge Plain Natural Area is a perfect project to highlight, with its abundant natural habitat land and beautiful Sitka spruce forests.

The Chehalis River Surge Plain is the largest coastal wetland in the northwest, where fish, wildlife, and waterfowl thrive. The area includes nesting, roosting and foraging habitat for eagles, osprey, great blue heron, waterfowl, shorebirds, and neo-tropical migrant species. The area also includes habitat for bears, river otters, raccoons, beavers, muskrats, and other mammals.

Expanding development and industry from neighboring Aberdeen was leading to the loss and degradation of these important wetlands, threatening water quality in the river and Grays Harbor, as well as salmon and wildlife populations and local shellfish farms. A WWRP grant helped acquire 1,600 acres of the natural area, funded restoration work, and helped develop this popular angling, birdwatching, and hiking destination, including developing trails, a boat launch, and a tribal treaty fishing access.

The entire surge plain is composed of about 2,640 acres of meandering sloughs and islands in the river. And much like other wetlands, it acts as an enormous “sponge” that helps minimize flooding downstream.

Because of the WWRP, this valuable land is now protected for sportsmens’ access, recreational activities, and habitat preservation.

[wildliferecreation]

Governor’s Budget is a Great Step Towards $120 Million for WWRP

The Coalition continues to advocate for $120 million for WWRP, and is heartened by Governor Inslee’s budget proposal. Photo Credit: Craig Romano.

The Coalition commends Governor Inslee for including $100 million for WWRP in his recently-released budget for the 2017-19 biennium. His proposal is a great step towards meeting the current needs of the program, which are steadily increasing due to our state’s growing population. 

As Washington’s incredible natural beauty and abundance of outdoor opportunities continue to attract top employers and people from across the nation, the need for continued upkeep and protection of outdoor spaces is paramount.

And that need is apparent: in 2016 alone, 220 applications for WWRP grants were submitted by local, state, tribal, and non-profit groups for funding in the next biennium to acquire, develop, and restore habitat and recreation lands in every region of Washington. 

“As the WWRP’s primary advocate, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition is thrilled that Governor Inslee has funded the program at this well-deserved historic level. His budget recognizes how important it is for this program to keep pace with our state's rapid population growth,” said Coalition Executive Director Andrea McNamara Doyle. “The multiple economic and environmental benefits of these investments will help ensure Washington remains such a special place where people choose to live, work, and recreate in our great outdoors."

The Coalition continues to advocate for $120 million for WWRP to the legislature. Without adequate funding, the program will not be able to fund vital projects that will greatly benefit Washington’s diverse communities.

Read more in the Coalition press release.

[wildliferecreation]

Road Notes: Community Conservation Conference – Wenatchee, WA

Coalition staff attended WALT’s Community Conservation Conference in Wenatchee this month and took time to visit the City’s iconic Saddle Rock.        

Nestled between the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range and the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers, the Wenatchee Valley is brimming with outdoor recreation opportunities. Quickly becoming a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, the city is attracting recreational groups from across the state and conservation leaders.

Coalition staff had a chance to visit Wenatchee and attend the Community Conservation Conference led by the Washington Association of Land Trusts. The conference brought together leaders of the conservation community and focused on new ways of connecting people in our communities with conservation and the natural world. Staff had a chance to connect with groups from across the state and take a moment to visit some of their incredible work in the surrounding valley.

One of Wenatchee’s most iconic natural landmarks is Saddle Rock. Now one of the most popular hiking trails in the area, this WWRP project site services a diverse population of users and connects the neighboring community to the outdoors.

The City of Wenatchee, in coordination with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, used two WWRP grant to purchase and develop the 325-acre Saddle Rock property, located adjacent to the city's urban growth boundary in the Wenatchee Foothills.

Currently, work is being done to construct parking spaces, restrooms, interpretation/education stations, and shade structures, as well as an outdoor classroom, an ADA accessible trail,  and the planting of native and drought-tolerant landscaping.

[wildliferecreation]

Thousands Sign Letter Supporting $120 Million for WWRP

Organizations, opinion leaders, and individual citizens from across the state have signed to support $120 million for WWRP in 2017-2019.

Last week, the Coalition delivered a letter to the Governor in support of a $120 million funding level for WWRP in the 2017-2019 biennium. This letter included signatures from over 1,000 individuals and over 140 organizations and opinion leaders. This strong show of support further demonstrates how much this vital program means to our communities and leaders. Governor Inslee’s budget will be released in mid December, but the Coalition will continue to advocate for the WWRP through legislative session and beyond. Want to join the thousands who have already signed? It's not too late! You can still sign the letter, as an individual or as the representative of your company or organization. And to see who has signed so far, read the letter itself! 

[wildliferecreation]

How Nature Improves Your Health

Dr. Howard Frumkin explains how contact with nature can provide mental, emotional, and physical benefits.

Ever wonder why you feel so much better after getting outside and into nature? Dr. Howard Frumkin has spent years studying the effects of nature on human health. As a professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Dr. Frumkin has the unique experience of examining the medical and health benefits of time spent in the outdoors from a scientific perspective. And he has a lot of positive things to say about the findings.

“Nature contact is linked to reduced stress, better mental functioning, smoother recovery from heart attacks and surgery, stronger connections among people, more physical activity, less obesity, healthier pregnancy outcomes, improved immune function—the list goes on.  We can only dream of a medication that yields this many health benefits, as safely and as inexpensively,” explains Dr. Frumkin.

While the exact explanations for how and why nature provides us all these health benefits needs further study, the basic link is now well established. Contact with nature can range from visual only to full immersion—for example, students who have a view of green plants in their classroom have visual contact with nature. If those same students were to take a hike in a forest, they would experience immersive contact with the natural world. Both types of contact have been proven to produce reduced stress and depression, improved sleep, reduced ADHD, lower blood pressure, and greater happiness in subjects.

Contact with nature might even save lives—patients with cancer have experienced improved health, better pain control, and a longer life expectancy.

Want to try out Dr. Frumkin’s advice? Easy! Next time you are feeling anxious or tired, try the oldest remedy on earth and get active outdoors.

We can’t think of a more inviting Rx to get from the doctor.

[wildliferecreation]

Introducing Rob Sendak, External Affairs Manager

Rob Sendak joins the Coalition staff as the new External Affairs Manager. We are thrilled to have him on board!

In October, the Coalition welcomed Rob Sendak to our staff as the External Affairs Manager.

Rob graduated from DePauw University focusing on Communications and Mass Media. He completed his master’s coursework at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington in June, 2014. 

With a broad range of professional experience including leadership roles in Major League Baseball, REI, Outdoor Camp Administration and nonprofit management, Rob joins the coalition staff with a passion for getting people outside to recreate on our public lands and waterways. He has an entrepreneurial spirit and a zest for exploring the natural resources that Washington State has to offer with his wife Jenn and new daughter Scarlett. 

Favorite outdoor location:  Patos Island up in the San Juan Island National Monument.

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Project Highlight: Chehalis River Surge Plain NAP

The Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve (NAP) is incredibly unique and beautiful, as well as providing critical habitat hundreds of species.  

The Chehalis River Surge Plain, located in Grays Harbor, is one of the most unique natural area preserves in Washington state. Five different Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) grants were used to help complete the preserve, which has been recognized as a national priority for protection because of the hundreds of species it supports. This large intact ecosystem includes critical waterways, marshes, and Sitka spruce-dominated wetlands. 

Among the animal habitats protected, the surge plain supports nesting and foraging habitats for eagles, osprey, great blue heron, waterfowl, shorebirds, and neo-tropical migrant species. The area is also home to bears, river otters, beavers, and muskrats. A number of the WWRP grants went towards preserving large sections of Preacher’s Slough, a sinuous tidally-influenced waterway within the surge plain. 

Restoration of the river bank included the removal of invasive species and planting of native species. Preacher’s Slough provides an important off-channel sanctuary for juvenile salmonids during their adjustment to marine conditions.

Projects like this one demonstrate the value of WWRP funding in protecting the animals of our diverse state.

[wildliferecreation]

Road Notes:  Washington State Trails Coalition Conference – Richland, WA

Coalition staff attended the Washington Trails Coalition Conference in eastern Washington this month to network and educate about the WWRP.

Every two years, trail stakeholders from around Washington gather to share best practices, network, and learn what is exciting and new about all things trails. Over 200 trails leaders from business, nonprofits, and municipal, county, state, and federal agencies descended upon Richland, WA for a fantastic three days. This year, the Coalition decided to attend the conference – so Lou and I eagerly headed east over the mountains to collaborate and spread the gospel that is WWRP.

The first thing that hits you about a trails conference…everyone is dressed like they are going for a hike. It is a casual atmosphere which lends itself to great comradery. This year’s theme was Creating Community – Connecting Community and presentations were as diverse and compelling as is the geography in our beautiful state. One presentation that stuck out was the spotlight section on the Whitehorse Regional Trail in Snohomish County. Amy Lucas (Senior Planner at Snohomish County Parks & Recreation) and Annique Bennett (Strategic Tourism Coordinator at Snohomish County) gave a heartfelt account of the events that have led to the rebuilding of the Whitehorse Regional Trail after the devastating mudslide back in March of 2014.

Opening this trail serves as a healing opportunity for communities to come together and memorialize the Steelhead Drive neighborhood and to develop Darrington and Arlington into Trail Town destinations.

The project sponsors are seeking $1,090,000 in WWRP grant funding for this important project, with a $1,096,000 sponsor match. Large donations have also been received to re‐deck the rail bridges and over $3.7 million in grants have been awarded to rebuild the trail at the mudslide and to re‐surface the trail for accessibility. Hats off to Amy and Annique for a great presentation and thank you to the organizers and volunteers that made this year’s conference such a great experience.

[wildliferecreation]

Project Tours: Covington & Roslyn to Teanaway

Last month, the Coalition organized two exciting project tours of WWRP sites: the Covington Community Park and the proposed Roslyn to Teanaway Regional Trail System.

The Covington Community Park Tour on August 18 showcased an impressive example of how projects funded through the WWRP can meet the high priority recreation needs of a young and growing community. The project, sponsored by the City of Covington in 2013, is the city’s first community park. It builds upon the vision to improve recreation opportunities for all ages while providing a location for community events through a multi-purpose sports field. The park also features rolling pastures, a stream, mature forests, and an interpretive trail where families and local residents can explore the natural world in their backyard. The tour also highlighted the next phase of the project, which was awarded funding by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in 2014. The City of Covington is currently in the process of enhancing the park’s recreational and community facilities by adding a destination playground, picnic shelters, a completed trail system, tennis courts, outdoor exercise equipment, and a covered stage and amphitheater. The tour was attended about 40 individuals, including Representative Pat Sullivan and Representative Mark Hargrove, as well as former Covington Mayor Margaret Harto, Coalition Board Chair Joe Mentor, and many community members. Senator Joe Fain posted his support for the project on his social media page - helping us spread the word about this great project. The second project tour, on August 30, highlighted the proposed Roslyn to Teanaway Regional Trail System. Sponsored by the City of Roslyn, this proposed project addresses the high priority recreational and public access needs in Kittitas County, and builds upon the vision to create recreational connectivity between the surrounding communities to adjacent public lands. The project also provides an opportunity to experience Central Washington in a way that has not before been available, by linking existing trail corridors from Roslyn, the Teanaway Community Forest, and the Yakima River valley all the way to Leavenworth. Local legislators Senator Judy Warnick and Representative Tom Dent (Pictured above) spoke in favor of the project. Other speakers included Mitchell Long of the Kittitas Conservation Trust, Chris Martin of Basecamp Books & Bites, and members of the Coalition board. In total, about 55 people attended the tour.    Check out the Daily Record article about the project tour for more information.

[wildliferecreation]

Sign-On to Support the Reauthorization of LWCF

Sign on to protect LWCF so that this important program can continue to protect and preserve America’s public lands.

LWCF champion Senator Maria Cantwell recently spoke during the opening session of the Energy Bill Conference Committee, which will attempt to resolve differences between the House and Senate energy bills. 

Cantwell highlighted the bipartisan cooperation that led to the passge of a strong Senate energy bill, which includes the permanent authorization of the LWC.

While reauthorization of the program passed the Senate, it did not pass the House, and is now on a shorter list of issues that MUST be addressed before the end of this Congress. And while it is currently part of the Energy Bill Conference Committee, it could also be included on any other legislative vehicle that is moving at the end of the Congressional session – such as an Omnibus funding bill or other large package that comes together after the election. 

"Let’s work together to get a policy that can move us forward," said Cantwell. We couldn't agree more, and are continuously grateful to the Senator for her strong commitment to preserving LWCF. Want to share your support for LWCF? Add your voice to the chorus of advocates by signing this LWCF Coalition Sign-on Letter today. Your strong support is critical to ensuring that LWCF will continue to permanently open access to America’s public lands and protect the places where Americans go to enjoy the great outdoors.

You can sign onto and access the letter here: http://bit.ly/LWCFsignon Note: The text of the letter can be viewed the text of the letter at the bottom of the form.