The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land conservation efforts, from conserving natural areas near big cities to protecting the most pristine and unique collections of plants in the state, including some of last remaining plant species in the world.
Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population.
This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program’s continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.
Funding Information

Critical Habitat: None
Natural Areas: None
Riparian Protection: Minimum request of $25,000, no cap.
State Lands Restoration and Enhancement: Minimum request of $25,000. Maximum request of $1 million for a single-site project and $500,000 for a multi-site project.
Urban Wildlife Habitat: None.

Eligible Projects

Land Acquisition

Acquisition includes the purchase of perpetual interest in real property or non-perpetual interests such as leases and easements. Acquisition of non-perpetual interests must be for at least 50 years and may not be revocable at will.
Incidental costs related to acquisition are eligible. The Riparian Protection Category provides funds for acquisition of lease extensions under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which must be for a minimum of 25 years.

Development

Benches, tables
Interpretive kiosks, signs
Paths, roads, parking
Restrooms
Viewing shelters

The Critical Habitat, State Lands Restoration and Enhancement, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories also allow for habitat creation and enhancement.
The Riparian Protection Category allows for site stewardship plans.
Restoration and Enhancement

Animal watering stations
Ecological restoration
Estuary and shoreline restoration
Fencing, gates,and signs
In-stream habitat such as bank stabilization, channel reconfiguration, and woody materials placement
In-stream passage improvements
Habitat enhancement such as native plantings and invasive plant removal
Removal of structures like bulkheads, dikes, levees, tide gates, and impervious surfaces
Site augmentation to establish restoration elements
Transplanting and re-vegetation
Upland stewardship.

Who May Apply?

Critical Habitat, Riparian Protection, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories

Cities, counties, towns
Federally recognized Indian tribes
Nonprofit nature conservancies
Special purpose districts, port districts, or other political subdivisions of the state that provide services to less than the entire state
State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission)

Natural Areas Category

Nonprofit nature conservancies
State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission)

State Lands Restoration and Enhancement Category

State agencies (Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission).

For more information, visit WSRCO.