Let the State Legislature know that you do NOT want deep cuts to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s budget for restoring biodiversity

Our legislators are meeting in Olympia right now, and they have a tough job. They must reduce a deficit of about $12 billion over the next four years. This means most programs will have to see cuts, and our natural resource agencies typically get hit the hardest.

In the 2008 recession, cuts to WDFW were so deep that normal function was not restored until a decade later. This year, critical programs face sweeping cuts, including biodiversity funds secured in 2023 through bipartisan and stakeholder collaboration, which are already delivering measurable benefits for ecosystems and most vulnerable species.  Given the challenges wildlife faces with a growing population, habitat loss, and changing climate, we can’t afford to lose WDFW’s vital work! 

Wildlife is a good investment.  Not only is it a cornerstone of our irreplaceable natural legacy, but studies by the Washington Department of Revenue show that each dollar spent on WDFW generates four dollars back in sales tax as people spend money enjoying our resources all over the state. WDFW makes up less than one percent of the state’s budget, yet its dedicated staff maximizes every dollar for lasting impact. Proposed cuts would harm wildlife for generations. 

We need the legislature to fund WDFW at the agency’s requested amount. Specifically, we’re calling for $10 million above former Governor Inslee’s funding proposal for the Restoring Washington’s Biodiversity program- a vital investment in our state’s future.

Please take a few moments to speak up with our easy comment portal and sample letter. Thank you for advocating for wildlife!