The Seattle Times recently published a feature story on Cascades to Olympics, the landscape-scale effort to reconnect habitat between Washington’s Cascade Range and the Olympic Peninsula. For Conservation Northwest and our partners, this kind of statewide attention matters. Cascades to Olympics is a long-term vision rooted in a simple idea: wildlife need room to move, … Continued
At Conservation Northwest, we believe conservation begins with community. In honor of Pride Month, we are highlighting LGBTQIA+ conservationists who have made a great impact on the Northwest. Together, we celebrate and advocate for the protection of diversity in both the communities we work with and the nature we serve. Jas Maisonet (They/Them), … Continued
Introduction by Matt Danielson, Colville Forest Manager In the early 2000s, the American West began experiencing large, unprecedented wildfires energized by a century of fuel accumulated from fire suppression. Understanding a new paradigm shift was needed, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) set an ambitious goal to fund the prescribed burning on its … Continued
BY JEN SYROWITZ As federal disruption reshaped how partnerships functioned and limited what agencies could carry forward, Conservation Northwest and our allies kept stewardship moving in ways that delivered real benefits for wildlife and communities. The forests and waterways of Washington’s Cascade Crest boast incomparable beauty and habitat for a multitude of key wildlife species such as black … Continued
BY LAUREL BAUM, CENTRAL CASCADES WATERSHED MANAGER As federal disruption reshaped how partnerships functioned and limited what agencies could carry forward, Conservation Northwest and our allies kept stewardship moving in ways that delivered real benefits for wildlife and communities. Dispersed Recreation Improvements Coming out of the spring we had a continuing project to improve site conditions at numerous dispersed recreation camp … Continued
By Matt Danielson, Okanogan Forest Sr. Coordinator The state of the Forest Service in 2025 left communities behind while land management pressed forward with shifting priorities. Across fire-adapted landscapes in Eastern Washington, federal changes reduced the capability of local Districts teams to extinguish wildfire near life and property and to ignite prescribed fires to reduce … Continued
The Community Wildlife Monitoring Program is seeking a handful of diverse and enthusiastic individuals with an interest in fieldwork to join our ranks as apprentices.
This summer, Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife Ambassador Project returned for its third year season, reaching hikers and campers at some of Washington’s most popular trailheads and campgrounds. From June 28 to August 31, our volunteers and staff were out in the field for 59 days of weekend outreach and engaged thousands of people on how to coexist safely with wildlife and low-impact recreation.
By Kurt Hellmann, Wildlife Recreation Coexistence Manager Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Program (WREC) has led a new effort to address growing black bear conflicts near Leavenworth’s popular Ski Hill: the purchase and installation of a bear-resistant dumpster in the main parking lot. This project grew out of close working relationships with the local Washington Department … Continued
By Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Sr. Director For nearly a quarter of a century, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly referred to as the Roadless Rule, has been a foundational component of American conservation policy. It protects habitat for wildlife, preserves carbon-storing forests in the face of climate change, and offers solitude and clean … Continued