Recap of the 2025 Wildlife Ambassador Project

Recap of the 2025 Wildlife Ambassador Project

Conservation Northwest / Oct 07, 2025 / Recreation, Work Updates

Ambassadors reach thousands across the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, promoting respectful recreation and wildlife awareness

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.

Wildlife Ambassadors educate trail users at Snow Lake Trailhead about respectful recreation

Our Mission

Our public lands are more than playgrounds—they’re living landscapes teeming with wildlife. As outdoor recreation continues to grow, we work to balance access with conservation, helping reduce the impacts of visitation on wildlife and habitat. By sharing the ‘why’ behind simple actions, we empower people to recreate respectfully and protect the places they love. The goal of the Wildlife Ambassador Project is simple but vital:

  • Reduce disturbance and displacement of flora and fauna
  • Prevent human–wildlife conflict
  • Help people recreate safely and respectfully

Where We Were

This season, our staff and volunteer ambassadors were at three locations in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:

  • Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead & Campground, near North Bend
  • Snow Lake Trailhead at Snoqualmie Pass
  • Verlot Public Service Center, near Granite Falls

Volunteers Power this Project

We couldn’t do this work without our volunteers! In 2025, 36 volunteers joined staff in the field, contributing 492 hours of service. Our volunteers quickly became knowledgeable about local flora and fauna, bringing valuable expertise to our outreach and stewardship efforts. Volunteers this year were supported by both in-person and online training sessions.

The Numbers

Staff and volunteers tallied 14,365 total engagements with trail users and campers. More than 6,100 of those interactions centered on wildlife, marking a 17% increase from last year that demonstrates the growing impact of our engagement.

At the Middle Fork Campground, we’re proud to see three consecutive seasons without human-wildlife conflict due to our in-person education efforts, along with recently installed bear-proof infrastructure.

Tools & Materials

Ambassadors brought knowledge to life for trail users by sharing wildlife awareness and best practices in cougar and bear country; providing information about the USFS food storage order; and highlighting the importance of staying on trails, keeping pets leashed, giving wildlife space, securing food and trash, and showing respect for ancestral lands.

Ambassadors employed creative engagement strategies this summer, including a grizzly bear cutboard cutout, bear identification quiz, handheld signs, and more!

Project Partners

Our partners are essential to the Wildlife Ambassador Project, helping guide its strategy and operations across western Washington. Hear directly from them about what this project means.

 

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe:

By helping to promote responsible and respectful recreation in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River area and sharing information about the Snoqualmie Tribe, Conservation Northwest and their volunteers are helping to improve the relationship between recreation and wildlife. The Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement encourages everyone to be more mindful and help reduce impacts while recreating. In partnership, we are both ensuring that people have the knowledge they need to recreate safely and respectfully within wildlife habitat.Sarah Ballew, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, External Affairs Program Manager

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust:

The Wildlife Ambassador Project is a role model for encouraging safe and respectful visitation to the sites that make up the natural and cultural beauty of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. Ambassadors can so clearly make the connection between the people that visit these trails and trailheads to the wildlife that call them home, and people are immediately aware of their impact on and connection to the natural environment. It is through trusted partnerships that Conservation Northwest can work with a broad coalition including Tribes, nonprofits, and land managers, to create such an impactful program like this Wildlife Ambassador Project.Caroline Villanova, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, National Heritage Area Senior Manager

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:

Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife Ambassador Project supports the Snoqualmie Ranger District in its outreach with the public about best practices and information regarding encounters with wildlife in the forest. Their booths each weekend were able to interact with thousands of users and greatly increased the outreach we were able to have with the public this summer season.Alyssa Yoklic, I-90 Corridor Manager, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Looking Ahead

The Wildlife Ambassador Project continues to grow, thanks to the dedication of volunteers and support from partners. By expanding our presence, refining our outreach, and working with agencies and the recreation community, we’re helping ensure Washington’s wildlife and wild places remain intact and safe for all.

Thank you to all our volunteers who helped make this season a success!

A special thank you to our financial supporters:

Athletic Brewing, River Network, Alpine Lakes Foundation, Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, Washington State Recreation Conservation Office, and Vital Ground for their generous support during 2025 operations!

ALPINE LAKES FOUNDATION