Our all-volunteer Board of Trustees is packed with wonderful folks. They’re community leaders, business owners, farmers, philanthropists, professors, parents and adventurers. Many also have a keen interest in policy and understand how important it is to successful, long-lasting conservation efforts. Though they’re among the busiest people we know, our trustees also know how worthwhile it can be to visit with the lawmakers whose decisions have major impacts on people and nature in Washington.
That’s why Trustee Lobby Day is a highlight of the year for our Government Relations staff. Though we’ve been stuck on Zoom for two years running now, the energy, commitment and enthusiasm these volunteers bring to our advocacy efforts is as refreshing as ever.
This year, nine trustees joined TNC staff on our virtual trip to Olympia during the third week of the legislative session. We met with Governor Inslee and his staff, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and ten legislative leaders from both houses and both parties. We checked in with each office about our 2022 priorities and next steps for bills moving through the legislative process during this short session.
Nature Unites Us
The urgent need to support the resilience of Washington’s communities and ecosystems in the face of climate change was the common thread that ran through all our meetings — with Republicans and Democrats, caucus and statewide leaders and locally-focused lawmakers. As in previous years, we were impressed by the thoughtfulness of legislators and their staff when discussing the bills we’re following, made ever more remarkable knowing they’re jumping from 15-minute meeting to 15-minute meeting all day long, every day.
As the Legislature faces a key deadline this week, lawmakers are working hard to amend and advance bills and budget items that are important to their constituents. Some of our top policy priorities, including the Lorraine Loomis Act for salmon recovery and the Keep Washington Evergreen proposal, are undergoing major changes and may not advance in their original form. We’re working hard, alongside our partners and the Legislature, to ensure that Washington will continue making progress for nature this year.
Opting Outside
As the daylight hours increase and signs of spring emerge, we’re looking forward to spending more time in Washington’s great outdoors. We were delighted to take the opportunity to invite our elected officials to tour a few of our projects on the ground, from efforts to increase urban tree canopy in south King County and improve wildfire resilience in Kittitas County.
While there’s no substitute for the inspiration getting out in nature can provide, you too can take a virtual tour of the diverse landscapes in our state via the buttons below.
Banner image: Tarboo Bay and the Olympic Mountains by Keith Lazelle.
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its 2024 session. We celebrate new investments in climate resilience and the clean energy transition, while reflecting on the complex dynamics of protecting our state’s Climate Commitment Act.
The 2024 state legislative session is underway! The Nature Conservancy’s highest priority for the 2024 legislative session is ensuring the success of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). With revenue from the CCA cap-and-invest program, we have an opportunity this session to make big investments in Natural Climate Solutions, a just transition, Environmental Justice Council recommendations, and investments to attract federal climate funding.
Local elected officials and community leaders join TNC staff for a tour of the Greening Research in Tacoma (GRIT) project, to learn about opportunities to improve air quality and green infrastructure in communities overburdened by pollution.
State Legislators visit the Cle Elum Ridge to learn about about TNC’s forest health work, including prescribed fire, tree thinning, and tree mastication. State funds secured thanks to House Bill 1168 help to make wildfire resilience work possible.
Since 2016, The Nature Conservancy in Washington’s involvement in the climate advocacy space has progressively increased. Throughout this journey we’ve seen that partnerships and coalitions are one of the most powerful ways to achieve broad support for climate legislation.
The 2023 Legislative Session in Olympia saw some major achievements for nature and people: investments in improving air quality, natural climate solutions, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and better long-term resiliency planning. A big thanks to our staff who dedicated their efforts to our priorities.
Trustee Lobby Day is a highlight every year here at The Nature Conservancy. It’s a wonderful reminder of the real reason for our advocacy and policy efforts- to strengthen the relationship between people and nature so that both can thrive.
Passing a budget is one of the most important roles the State Legislature plays, as it determines how policies will be implemented and reflects what we value as a state. Our team dug into the details to see how our priorities are faring so far.
Realizing our clean energy future means rapidly transitioning to a clean, affordable, reliable, and sufficiently expansive energy grid. With HB 1216, the Washington State Legislature has the opportunity to take an important step towards that this session.
The 2023 legislative session is half-way complete - let’s check in on our priority bills, and what’s left to come.
Nestled in the mountains of the Central Cascades, the Teanaway Community Forest (50,241 acres) has been a conservation gem intended as a refuge for people as much as nature. In the past ten years, transformative restoration efforts including wildfire prevention and stream restoration have created a healthier forest that benefits people, wildlife, and the lands. There’s more work to be done.
Thirty years ago, Washington passed the Growth Management Act (GMA)—legislation that has helped communities across the state plan ahead. In the face of a changing climate, it’s become clear that the GMA also needs to be updated for our new climate realities.
In addition to building on the progress of the last few years, the 2023 state legislative session presents a momentous opportunity to invest in nature and people with the 2023-25 biennial budget.
Washington’s landmark climate law takes effect on January 1 — and you can still help shape it!
Leaders from across the region came together at the Nisqually Cultural Center for Puget Sound Day on the Sound.
Help protect King County’s best and last green spaces by voting YES on Prop 1 this November.
Speak up for cleaner air for all Washington’s communities by submitting a public comment to the Department of Ecology as they shape our new air quality program.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a big win for climate action. Here’s what it means for Washington.
The Inflation Reduction Act is on its way to President Biden’s desk, putting the U.S. on the path to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030.
Congress approved a $1.5 trillion FY2022 omnibus spending package to fund the federal government through Sept. 30. We’re pleased to see the solid investments for conservation, climate resilience, and clean energy included in this bill.