Help decide where state recreation and conservation funds go

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is recruiting 50 volunteers to fill positions on its 17 advisory committees, which evaluate grant proposals for parks, boating infrastructure, working farms and forests, and habitat conservation statewide.

“As one of the state’s biggest investors in Washington’s outdoors, we want our state’s network of parks, trails, boating facilities and habitat to reflect the broad community of people who visit and protect these special places,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. “Volunteer advisory committee members help us ensure that we’re incorporating different perspectives when selecting projects that impact how everyone in Washington experiences the outdoors, now and in the future.”

The Recreation and Conservation Office’s roughly 200 volunteer advisory committee members help the agency evaluate about 650 grant applications every 2 years.

Volunteers with experience or interest in buying, developing or protecting land or conserving working forests and farms are encouraged to apply to fill vacancies on the following advisory committees:

* Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account Advisory Committee

* Boating Programs Advisory Committee

* Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Advisory Committee

* Land and Water Conservation Fund Advisory Committee

* Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program Advisory Committee

* Recreation Trails Program Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Forestland Preservation Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Acquisition Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Habitat Restoration Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Local Parks Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program State Lands Development Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program State Parks Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Trails Advisory Committee

* Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Water Access Advisory Committee

* Youth Athletic Facilities Advisory Committee

Advisory committee members must be available to spend several days every two years reviewing grant applications and providing suggestions to applicants to help them improve their proposals.

The office generally reviews grant applications in person in Olympia, with some remote review flexibility.

The office reimburses committee members for their travel expenses, as budget allows.

Visit the Recreation and Conservation Office’s Web site to submit an application by Jan. 1. Visit https://rco.wa.gov/get-involved/volunteer-advisory-committee/ for more information or to get in touch with agency staff with questions.

Created in 1964, the Recreation and Conservation Office provides statewide leadership and funding to protect and improve the best of Washington’s natural and outdoor recreation resources.

– Washington State Recreation and Conservation