Recreation and Conservation Office

The newest State of Salmon in Watersheds report details the key challenges that salmon experience and the steps being taken to recover populations and restore habitat.

Learn more in the full report: rb.gy/60eiop

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#conservation #salmon

Graphic of a salmon. Text on graphic: The salmon struggle: habitat degradation; fish passage barriers; predation and food availability; hydropower, harvest, and hatchery improvements; climate change; polluted water

The struggle is real! Salmon face many obstacles during their lives including degraded habitat, migration barriers, climate change, and more. While these fish are resilient to change, they are still very vulnerable to human activities.

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Person in a hat standing next to a lake while leaning on a red and white pole

We’re hiring a cultural resources specialist. This person prepares documents to support consultation with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation & Native American Tribes, provides section leads with project support for cultural resources issues, & more.

Full details: rb.gy/z0hn7x

If you want to learn more about this unique program, visit the Coast Salmon Partnership’s webpage: rb.gy/oq9jud

If you’re interested in applying for a Washington Coast Restoration and Resiliency Initiative grant, applications are expected to open in October. Learn more: rco.wa.gov/WCRRI

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Eighty cents of every restoration dollar invested stays in the county where the project is located! These projects have provided at least four hundred family-wage jobs and improve the health of the land and water.

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Aerial view of river twisting right and then left out into the ocean.

It’s the tenth anniversary of the Washington Coast Restoration and Resiliency Initiative grant program and there’s quite a bit to celebrate!

Since the program’s inception in 2015, more than $70 million in grants have been awarded to ninety-five projects along Washington’s coast.

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Pacific Salmon at a Crossroads Urban stormwater runoff and climate change are challenging salmon recovery

Learn more about what 6PPD is and its impacts on salmon in this new StoryMap from University of Washington graduate student, Amirah Casey: rb.gy/s61y41

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#salmon #conservation

Graphic depicting a car driving in the rain and material coming off the tires into the water supply. A dead salmon floats in the water where the runoff is

As reported in the 2024 State of Salmon in Watersheds report, salmon populations continue to struggle. A challenge facing salmon is the chemical 6PPD, an additive in rubber that make tires last longer, but is lethal to salmon & other small organisms.

Graphic by Samantha-Lynn Martinez

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We’re excited to have helped fund this community project with a $350,000 grant, which went towards building the skatepark, improving the parking and lighting, building a shade structure, and other site improvements.

Learn more about the project: rb.gy/o6i6su

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#recreation #skateboard

Aerial of new skatepark in Black Diamond, WA

Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated the opening of the KJ Gardner Skatepark in Black Diamond on Saturday! The new skatepark was designed and built by Grindline Skateparks and offers a range of challenges for users of all skillsets.

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State Awards $9 Million in Grants to Improve Wildlife Habitat on Washington’s Coast - RCO The State announced grants for projects to restore habitat, create jobs and improve the resiliency of Washington’s Coastal communities.

These projects will remove invasive plants, restore rivers, work with landowners on conservation grazing practices, and create habitat for salmon.

Details in our press release: rb.gy/p4zgkw
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#conservation #WCRRI

A member of the 10,000 Years Institute trail crew removing invasive plants near the Hoh River.

We’re proud to announce the award of $9.2 million in grants for projects that will restore habitat, create jobs, and improve the resiliency of Washington’s Coastal communities.
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Salmon leaping from rapid moving water on its way upstream

The Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board announced the award of $30 million in grants to remove fish-blocking road culverts and correct other road-related barriers to open salmon migration routes. See our press release for details: rb.gy/811k9r

#salmon #conservation

Green playground structure with the City of Bremerton logo stamped on it

Check out the new picnic shelter, playground, and more at the Lulu D. Haddon Park ribbon cutting on July 25 at 1 p.m.

RCO is proud to have provided two grants to help fund these renovations and can’t wait to experience them with the community.

Details about the project: rb.gy/xl8tbc

#park

Group of people holding sections of black pipe while standing in front of a forested area. Text on graphic: Orca Recovery Day; Join us October 18!

📢 Save the date! Orca Recovery Day is October 18. It’s an annual event where organizations host volunteer and educational events around the region to raise awareness and support for the endangered Southern Resident orcas.

Learn more: betterground.org/ORD

#orca #volunteer

Graphic showing different programs funded by grants. Images on graphic: Youth skateboarding, walking a leashed dog on the trail with a youth leading the way, a Lewis woodpecker, youth lining up a shot with a bow, a lush forest with a downed limb, and a group of youth wearing life jackets posing in front of sailboats. Text on graphic: More Than $148 Million Awarded to Projects to Improve Outdoor Recreation, Conserve Land, and Protect Wildlife Habitat

The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board has awarded more than $148 million to projects across the state that will build and improve parks and trails, conserve irreplaceable wildlife habitat, and maintain land for farming and forestry.

More information: rb.gy/68zfuz

📷: Woodpecker by J. Davis

Escape the noise: Hike somewhere quiet this weekend If summer weekends in town are just way too noisy for you, head outside. While camping and backpacking is popular in Washington and you're likely to share the trail with a few folks, here are some lik...

Also, if one of these hikes isn’t speaking to you, you can browse its hiking database, which includes more than 4,000 hikes and can be filtered by area, cost, difficulty, and more.

Hikes to escape the noise: rb.gy/4g6syr
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Looking to celebrate July 4 with a lot of excitement but a lot less noise? Well then, you can just take a hike! (literally)

The @washingtontrails.bsky.social has put together a list of about a dozen hikes from all around Washington that offer epic views for a variety of skill sets.
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Pickleball court

Using an RCO grant and other funds, the City resurfaced two basketball courts, converted an unused tennis court into pickleball courts, added a paved pathway from the courts to the corner of the park, and updated the lighting.

Learn more about the project: rb.gy/2gdeyf
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basketball court

Join the celebration tomorrow at 10 a.m. when the City of Spokane - Municipal Government cuts the ribbon on its renovations at Underhill Park.
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State Awards More Than $1 Million for No Child Left Inside Grants to Get Youth Outside - RCO The State awards grants to provide outdoor education and recreation opportunities to youth who experience barriers to the outdoors.

See press release for more details, including descriptions of each program funded: rb.gy/ug010k
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The NCLI grant program was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2007 to improve overall academic performance, self-esteem, health, community involvement, & connection to nature for youth & to empower local communities to engage youth in outdoor education and recreation experiences.
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In partnership with RCO, State Parks awarded more than $1 million in grants to fifteen organizations across the state. These grants will support more than 2,500 youth and provide 140,000 hours of vital time in nature.
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Youth playing in water near a riverbank

This summer, thousands of Washington State youth will get a chance to step into an outdoor adventure, thanks to No Child Left Inside grants from Washington State Parks.
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RCO is proud to have helped fund this new section of trail with a $1.5 million grant and can’t wait to celebrate with the community and Pierce County this Saturday. More about the project: rb.gy/1gcmzb
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Join the celebration at 11 a.m. There will be lots of activities like guided nature walks, a scavenger hunt, bubble stations, free ice cream, and more!
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The new 1.6-mile trail extends from the intersection of 72nd Street E and Waller Road E to Orangegate Park. It’s also part of the larger Pipeline Trail, which now runs from the Tacoma Dome into Orangegate Park in Pierce County (almost 6 miles).
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Trail sign next to a newly paved trail.

A multi-use trail is opening in Tacoma this Saturday. It’s perfect for the cycler, walker, jogger, or equestrian in your life.
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Killer whale resources and regulations for boaters

Remember: safe boating means safe orca.
Answers to more boating or orca questions: rb.gy/jhanp9 🧵3/3

When boating, always mind the GAP:
- Give orca space (at least 1,000 yards).
- Alert other boaters when orca are nearby (display a whale warning flag).
- Power down fish finders and depth sounders around orca (it interferes with an orca’s ability to find food). 🧵2/3