The final capital construction budget passed last night includes $85 million in funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP), the state’s largest public funding source for outdoor community projects. This funding will allow over 100 high-priority conservation and recreation projects to move forward. In an incredibly difficult budget year, with many competing priorities, we are grateful the Legislature made the WWRP a priority in this budget.

Its the kickoff weekend to Washington;s bike season that you won't want to miss.  Learn more

From mountaintops to kayaks, the Pacific Northwest is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts. That bounty means there is no shortage of outdoor stories.This year, those stories ranged from the inspiring to the concerning. Stories published in The Spokesman-Review’s outdoor sections highlighted the brilliance of human adventure and dove into the politics and details of environmental policy, conservation and wildlife management. Below is a recap of some of the year’s most important stories starting with everyone’s favorite subject: recreation.

Governor Inslee released his budget, which includes $115 million in funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP). His proposal is a huge step toward meeting the outdoor recreation and conservation needs of our growing state. The WWRP, funded through the capital construction budget, is the state’s premier grant program for habitat conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities. The program has played a significant role in our state’s landscape and quality of life, investing over $1.4 billion into state and local parks, trails, wildlife habitat, working lands, and other community priorities across the state.

In the context of this unprecedented opportunity and change, this report has three aims: One, to provide an update on the industry’s remarkable growth since the recession’s end. Two, to engage the industry in a dialogue that could lead to strategies and initiatives that could further strengthen its position. Three, to identify opportunities for public and private collaboration to leverage the state’s competitive advantage
as the global A&O hub.  See Report & learn more at www.aoportland.com

Did you know there are over 6000 state parks in America? That is just the state parks... not to mention the thousands of campgrounds and places to take your family on a relaxing vacation with all kinds of things to do, from fishing, to white water rafting or even the closest place to hunt wild game.  Just a little frustrated having to search for all kinds of things and not finding what you want?  Well, now you have a choice.  A true search engine for the recreation industry.  Do you want to spend 3 days searching all the search engines? or do you want to come to the search engine that is all about outdoor recreational activities. From the beauty of Mount Rainier in spectacular Washington State with its hiking trails, to Palo Doro in Texas, the second largest canyon in the country spanning 120 miles long and 800 feet deep to the Atlanta ocean and mountains of North Carolina, the back country of Moab Utah, or the beaches of Florida, WIKI Recreation will make it our goal to bring you the best information we can find.

The Teanaway Community Forest holds a special place for many outdoors enthusiasts in central Washington and throughout the state. Its popularity among many different interest groups created the need for a new management plan specifically geared towards recreation, one of five goals in 2015’s strategic management plan. Extensive research and outreach to various groups as well as an active community led the state’s Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to a proposed 15-year effort aimed at enhancing the 50,241 acres of state-owned forest and ensuring sustainability for years to come.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration inducted Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch at the annual meeting of the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference in Indianapolis. “It’s very humbling and an honor to be included in this prestigious organization, which is dedicated to advancing the parks and recreation profession and mentoring up-and-coming park administrators,” Hoch said. “I look forward to working with members who have national and international reputations to promote a broader understanding of the importance of parks and recreation.”