Biodiversity Funding
Securing sustainable funding for the science, stewardship, and habitat conservation needed to protect Washington’s wildlife.
Our Approach
For generations, wildlife funding in Washington was built around hunting and fishing, even as the state’s conservation mandate grew to include the species that make up most of our biodiversity.
Today, our wildlife agency is responsible for conserving thousands of species, as well as restoring habitat, responding to climate impacts, and serving all stakeholders under the Public Trust Doctrine. The current funding model can’t support that mandate alone. Our work focuses on securing new, durable revenue sources that strengthen the agency’s capacity for science, monitoring, enforcement, and habitat conservation across the full breadth of Washington’s biodiversity. By modernizing how wildlife conservation is funded, we can ensure that all of Washington’s wildlife has the support needed to persist for generations.
Current Focus
Work We’re Doing to Achieve Biodiversity Funding Goals
Funding Advocacy
We are long-standing leaders in securing full, stable funding for fish and wildlife conservation in Washington, working in Olympia and Washington, D.C. to support budgets that reflect the state’s conservation responsibilities.
As active members of WDFW’s Budget and Policy Advisory Group (BPAG), we help shape budget requests, policy proposals, and public engagement strategies that strengthen the agency’s ability to serve all Washingtonians.
Our work has been central to advancing a durable, long-term funding model for WDFW that recognizes its broad conservation mandate and statewide benefits.
Building Long-Term Stability
Between 2011 and 2020, WDFW faced a growing structural deficit that strained operations and eroded legislative trust.
Impact & Results
A History of Biodiversity Funding
For years, Conservation Northwest has worked to strengthen and diversify funding for wildlife conservation, helping build the partnerships, policies, and public support needed to sustain Washington’s biodiversity.
Budget Advisory Leadership
Long-Term Funding Initiative
Federal Funding Advocacy
Budget Advisory Leadership
Since 2017, the program has served on WDFW’s Budget and Policy Advisory Group, helping shape agency budget requests and policy proposals and coordinating a 47 entity sign on letter that successfully secured full legislative funding for WDFW in early 2020.
Long-Term Funding Initiative
Conservation Northwest convened key partners and WDFW leadership to launch a long term funding initiative, building momentum for diversified, durable revenue sources that keep pace with inflation and strengthen public ownership of the agency’s conservation mission.
Federal Funding Advocacy
Support for the federal Recovering America’s Wildlife Act has helped elevate the need for dedicated national investment, positioning Washington to receive $21 million annually for ecosystem and species recovery if enacted.
Impact & Results
Our Key Accomplishments for Biodiversity Funding
From protecting critical landscapes to advancing collaborative forest restoration, these efforts deliver lasting benefits for wildlife, habitat connectivity, and climate resilience.
Major Funding Gains
Legislative Investments in Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity funding saw a major boost in recent biennia, with the Legislature allocating $24 million for 2023–25 and $31 million for 2025–27 to support species recovery, habitat protection, and public education.
Expanded State Support
General Fund Growth Strengthened WDFW’s Conservation Capacity
State general fund support for WDFW has grown to $323 million, now representing 45% of the agency’s budget and providing broad, flexible capacity while remaining vulnerable to economic cycles and short term budget pressures.
Latest Forest Habitat News
Act Now: Defend the Endangered Species Act!
Shaping Washington’s Conservation Future: The 2025 Wildlife Action Plan
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