Conservation and recreation groups push $150M for WWRP and full funding for community forest grants

Conservation and outdoor recreation groups urged the Capital Budget Committee to substantially increase funding for outdoor recreation, conservation and community forest projects in Gov. Inslee’s capital budget proposal.

Yvonne Krause, executive director of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, recommended funding the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program at $150,000,000 and said the program has funded more than 1,900 projects statewide but remains oversubscribed. “This will realize 80% of current grant applications and represent strong commitment to a healthy future for Washington residents,” Krause said.

Representatives from land trusts and conservation organizations asked the committee to fully fund the Recreation and Conservation Office’s Community Forest Grant Program at $26,400,000, a level witnesses said would fund about 10 projects and conserve roughly 16,600 acres. Joe Kane, representing the Nisqually Tribe and its nonprofit partners, described a proposed 1,300-acre acquisition that would protect critical salmon habitat and provide local forest management that supports jobs, recreation and carbon-credit opportunities.

Witnesses said community forests are a “triple bottom line” model that supports local forestry jobs, recreation and habitat protection, and asked that the committee fund the full suite of community forest proposals under consideration.

Ending: Conservation and recreation advocates requested robust capital funding for WWRP and community forest grants and urged the committee to adopt the higher funding levels when finalizing the capital budget.