State WA Wildlife & Recreation Funds Available

In 2005, the Washington State Legislature created grants to conserve vanishing farmland and to protect the state’s rivers, lakes, streams, and saltwater areas.  The law adds two new categories—Riparian Protection and Farmland Conservation—to the highly acclaimed Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP).

Under the new Riparian Protection category local governments and lead entities for salmon recovery may apply for WWRP grants to protect and/or restore shorelines, rivers, streams, estuaries and other waterways.

Under the new WWRP Farmland Conservation category, grants are available to help cities and counties conserve working farms and ensure the land will stay in private hands and remain active agricultural enterprises for generations to come. Grants will be available to:

• Preserve viable farmland.
• Enhance production on preserved farmland.
• Improve or restore the ecological functions of the preserved farmland, (e.g., benefits to fish and wildlife).
• Provide functions such as improving aquifer recharge, managing storm water, creating jobs in the agricultural sector and providing opportunities for public education.

The county or city may buy farmland outright, place an agricultural easement on property and then resell the property to someone who will maintain the property as a working farm. In most Washington counties these grants will be the only funding source for farm conservation easements (other than a small share of the federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program).  

The WWRP is administered by the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC).  A letter of intent for 2007 funding is encouraged by March 15, 2006, but it is not required.  Final applications are due May 1, 2006.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition is a 15 year old program that provides grants for local and state parks, shorelines, trails, wildlife habitat, water access, urban wildlife and, now, farmland preservation and riparian habitat. Joan Thomas, F&E Board Co-Chair, is a founding board member of WWRP.

Submitted by the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, the founder and chief advocate for the WWRP grant program.