About RCO

The Recreation and
Conservation Office (RCO)

is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state's wildlife habitat and farmland, and help return salmon from near extinction.

The office supports the following organizations:

• Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB)
• Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB)
• Invasive Species Council
• Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office
• Habitat and Recreation Lands Coordinating Group

Together, this collection of boards and offices provide leadership, funding, and technical assistance.

A Billion Dollar Investment

Since the agency began in 1964, it has awarded more than $1.4 billion in grants to more than 6,400 projects. Since 1990, the agency averages 230 grant awards for $60 million every fiscal year.

Doubling the State’s Investment

RCO doesn’t do the work alone. Since 1964, grant recipients have contributed more than $866 million in matching resources, making the total investment in Washington's great outdoors top $2.3 billion.

Contact Us

Kaleen Cottingham, director, biography
360-902-3003

Steve McLellan, legislative liaison
360-902-3021

Rebecca Connolly, public records officer
360-902-2637