2024 Conservation Accomplishments
Change happens gradually, and the major milestones Washington Wild celebrates result from the countless, everyday efforts from our staff, board, community partners, and supporters like you. 2024 marked another year of significant accomplishments for Washington Wild.
Just look at the numbers below—throughout the year, you all responded to 12 different action alerts generating nearly 2,000 comments to our elected officials and state agencies! From championing the protection of our public lands to building a fun and welcoming community of conservation advocates, and holding government agencies accountable, your unwavering commitment to our cherished wild places and continued support of Washington Wild’s mission remains our most meaningful accomplishment.
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
WA Voters Deliver Defining Win for Climate Action by Rejecting I-2117
On election day, Washingtonians decisively rejected Initiative 2117, which sought to repeal our state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), stripping billions in funding for climate solutions statewide, and shifting the burden of covering the cost of the climate crisis from polluters to our local communities, workers, and families. As only the second cap-and-invest program in the U.S. and one of the most progressive climate laws ever passed by a state legislature, Washington’s CCA remains a beacon of hope and a powerful example of what’s possible when we choose to act for our planet’s future. Washington Wild was proud to join the unprecedented coalition of nearly 600 Tribes and local stakeholders, including over 50 craft breweries, in opposition to I-2117.
More than 2,000 Acres of State Forest Lands Protected
In the 2024 legislative session, WA Wild championed the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program to protect 2,200 acres managed by the WA Department of Natural Resources. WA Wild organized a comment letter signed by 110 elected officials, businesses, and conservation groups urging support for the nine proposed projects. Thanks to this effort, the Legislature unanimously approved $10.8 million for all nine projects in the capital budget. Five projects will expand existing Natural Area boundaries contemplated ten or more years ago. Most of the projects will protect mature or old-growth forests that will continue to sequester significant amounts of carbon every year, contributing to our state’s carbon storage goals and climate resilience.
Indigenous Climate Project Launched
Through the Indigenous Climate Project, the partnership between Washington Wild and THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY seeks to amplify Indigenous voices and center Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in conservation efforts, as both are essential to solving the climate crisis. The project filmed nearly 30 interviews with Tribal leaders, stewards, and elders from 14 Native communities across the Northwest, developed a corresponding “Tribes and Climate Change” middle school curriculum utilizing those oral histories to educate youth across the state, and produced a feature-length documentary, Climate Story. Supported by a formal resolution from the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), these invaluable resources are available to all at thisisindiancountry.org.
Dabob Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area to Expand
In September, the WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced it will expand the Dabob Bay NRCA by approximately 4,000 acres. The expansion includes state forest lands and private lands with associated wetlands, streams, and marine shorelines in Jefferson County on the Olympic Peninsula. During the public comment period in June, WA Wild brought together 31 conservation organizations in a joint comment letter supporting DNR’s proposal.
Wild Lands and Waters Youth Explorer Booklet Reaches 500 Kids
Modeled after the National Parks Department’s Junior Ranger Program, Washington Wild, The Bureau of Fearless Ideas, and THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY teamed up to create a Wild Lands & Waters Youth Explorer Booklet. The booklet encourages youth to explore their wild places—from their backyards and community gardens to local, state, and national parks—and build foundational connections with nature. The initial 500-copy print run was distributed among local educators and youth groups to gain feedback for a larger print run in 2025.
Forestagia—Our Biggest Brewshed® Collaboration Beer Yet!
What is now becoming an annual celebration of our local craft beer industry’s dedication to protecting watershed health from peak to pint, the brewing of Forestalgia American Lager with Salmon-Safe ingredients brought together 100 breweries, taprooms, bottle shops, and hop growers. Forestalgia is both a state of mind and a commitment—it’s an individual’s yearning for an idealized, sustainable future and dedication to protecting Washington State’s forests and rivers for the future of people, planet, and great beer.
PROTECTING WASHINGTON’S WILD PLACES ALL YEAR LONG
JANUARY
Coordinated an eagle viewing float trip with U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA02) and several local stakeholders to discuss conservation priorities in the Skagit River Basin
FEBRUARY
Sent a comment letter signed by 37 to protect the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth and Pasayten Wilderness Areas by urging the U.S. Navy to reconsider a proposed expansion of military overflights over both areas
MARCH
Our Executive Director and Brewshed® Alliance Director headed to Washington D.C. for Wild and Scenic Rivers Week to meet with all 12 members of the Washington Congressional delegation and key federal agencies on conservation priorities
APRIL
Our Deputy Director joined the CEO and Co-founder of Schilling Hard Cider on Fox 13’s Seattle Sips to promote the Keep It Wild campaign, which ultimately raised $26,000 in support of WA Wild’s mission
MAY
Generated almost 400 letters to Congress in support of public lands, urging members to oppose efforts to repeal a new rule that restores balance to the Bureau of Land Management’s mission after 40 years of prioritizing extractive industries
JUNE
Secured the backing of more than 50 Washington brewers to formally endorse the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge, the federal initiative to reconnect, restore, and protect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers by 2030
JULY
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) hiked the Gray Wolf River alongside WA Wild, U.S. Forest Service staff, advocates, and local elected officials to discuss her Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act currently pending in Congress
AUGUST
Alongside THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY, organized a curriculum workshop for teachers as part of the Indigenous Climate Project; held at the Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center, the workshop brought together more than 20 teachers and 15 Northwest Tribal leaders
SEPTEMBER
Announced our 2024 Wild Night Out award winners: Methow Valley activist Maggie Coon (Founders Award), GRAYL® founder Travis Merrigan (Conservation Voices Award), Sandpiper Video founder Evan Olson (Supporter of the Year) and Aslan Brewing (Brewshed® Award)
OCTOBER
Coordinated a comment letter signed by 116 local stakeholders in support of $30 million in funding for eight Trust Land Transfer (TLT) projects that would protect up to 12,000 acres of state forest for future generations and wildlife habitat
NOVEMBER
Hosted our 3rd annual Battle of the Soups with Ravenna Brewing; bringing together four of Seattle’s best pubs and eateries, we raised over $3,000 for WA Wild’s conservation work, with the coveted golden ladle awarded to Watershed Pub & Kitchen
DECEMBER
Generated over 150 public comments and built a coalition of 86 in support of the grassroots effort to save nearly 200 acres in Spokane already approved for conservation through DNR’s Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program from a hasty sale to a developer
