Washington Wildlife
Recreation
Program (WWRP)
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation, including park acquisition and development, habitat conservation, farmland preservation, and construction of outdoor recreation facilities.
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: Acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population.
This landmark legislation, passed in 1990, and subsequent funding have come about through the support of Governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.
Grant applications are evaluated in 11 categories:
- Critical habitat
- Farmland preservation
- Local parks
- Natural areas
- Riparian protection
- State lands development and renovation
- State lands restoration and enhancement
- State parks
- Trails
- Urban wildlife habitat
- Water access
Typical Projects
- Protecting wildlife habitat
- Building regional athletic complexes
- Renovating community parks
- Developing regional trails
- Building waterfront parks
- Restoring state lands
- Protecting farmland
Funding Source
Funding comes from the sale of general obligation bonds.
Who can apply?
- Local agencies
- Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts, port districts, school districts
- State agencies
- Native American tribes
- Salmon recovery lead entities (riparian protection category only)
- Nonprofits (farmland preservation and riparian protection categories only)
Match requirements
Local agencies, special purpose districts, salmon recovery lead entities, and nonprofits must provide 50 percent match and at least 10 percent of the total project cost must be from a non-state, non-federal contribution. State agencies do not have to provide match. Native American tribes must provide 50 percent match. Match may include, but is not limited to:
- Applicant’s labor, equipment, and materials
- Appropriations or cash
- Bonds
- Donations of cash, land, labor, equipment, and materials
- Federal, state, local, and private grants
Planning Requirement
Comprehensive planning documents required, except for farmland preservation grants. See Manual 2 Planning Policies for details.Grant Caps
- Critical Habitat: None
- Farmland Preservation: None
- Local Parks:
- Acquisition projects: $1 million
- Development projects: $500,000
- Combination projects (acquisition with either development or renovation): $1 million, of which not more than $500,000 may be for development costs
- Natural Areas: None
- Riparian Protection: minimum $25,000; maximum None
- State Lands Development and Renovation: minimum $25,000; maximum $325,000
- State lands Restoration and Enhancement: minimum $25,000; maximum $1 million for a single site project; $500,000 for a multi-site project
- State Parks: None
- Trails: None
- Urban Wildlife Habitat: None
- Water Access: None
Funding Anticipated (Average)
$55 million biennially.View a chart comparing the amount of funding to each category based on different legislative funding levels.
View a chart of the grant applications and possible funding scenarios.
Eligible Projects
-
Land acquisition.
Acquisition includes the purchase of perpetual interest in real property or non-perpetual interests such as leases and easements. Acquisition of non-perpetual interests must be for at least 50 years and may not be revocable at will. Incidental costs related to acquisition are eligible. The riparian protection category provides funds for acquisition of lease extensions under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which must be for a minimum of 25 years.
-
Development.
Critical Habitat
- Benches, tables
- Habitat creation, enhancement
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Paths, roads, parking
- Restrooms
- Site stewardship plan
- Viewing shelters
Farmland Preservation
- Land acquisition (required for all projects)
- Enhancement or restoration. These activities must further the ecological functions of the farmland.
- Installing fences to keep livestock out of riparian areas
- Replanting native vegetation on erosion-prone land or along streams
- Restoring historic water runoff patterns
- Improving irrigation efficiency
- Installing solar well pumps
- Combination of land acquisition and restoration or enhancement
- Farm stewardship plans
Local and State Parks
- Buildings
- Campgrounds, cabins
- Fishing floats
- Hard court areas
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Outdoor swim pools
- Picnic shelters
- Play areas
- Playing fields
- Restrooms
- Roads, paths, and parking
- View areas
Note: Renovation projects are NOT eligible in the state parks category.
Natural Areas
- Benches, tables
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Paths, roads, parking
- Restrooms
- Viewing shelters
Riparian Protection
- Benches, tables
- Habitat creation, enhancement
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Paths, roads, parking
- Restrooms
- Site stewardship plan
- Viewing shelters
State Lands Development and Renovation
- Campgrounds
- Fishing piers and platforms
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Launch ramps and floats
- Picnic shelters
- Restrooms
- Roads, paths, and trails
State Lands Restoration and Enhancement
- Benches, tables
- Habitat creation, enhancement
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Paths, roads, parking
- Restrooms
- Site stewardship plan
- Viewing shelters
Trails
- Benches, tables
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Site preparation
- Trail surfacing
- Restrooms
- Roads and parking
- Viewpoints
Urban Wildlife Habitat
- Benches, tables
- Habitat creation, enhancement
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Paths, roads, parking
- Restrooms
- Site stewardship plan
- Viewing shelters
Water Access
- Buoys
- Fishing piers and platforms
- Interpretive kiosks, signs
- Launch ramps, floats
- Picnic shelters
- Restrooms
- Roads and paths
-
Restoration and Enhancement
- Animal watering stations
- Ecological restoration
- Estuary and shoreline restoration
- Fencing, gates, and signs
- In-stream habitat such as bank stabilization, channel reconfiguration, and woody materials placement
- In-stream passage improvements
- Habitat enhancement such as native plantings and invasive plant removal
- Removal of structures like bulkheads, dikes, levees, tide gates, and impervious surfaces
- Site augmentation to establish restoration elements
- Transplanting and re-vegetation
- Upland stewardship
Ineligible Projects
- Animal species introduction or propagation, other than biological controls for invasive species, etc.
- Concessionaire buildings
- Cost not directly related to implementing the project such as indirect and overhead charges
- Environmental cleanup of illegal activities (i.e., removal of derelict vessels, trash, methamphetamine labs, etc.)
- Fish or wildlife production facilities such as fish hatcheries for the production of sport fish populations.
- Indoor facilities such as community centers, environmental education or learning centers, gymnasiums, swimming and therapy pools, and covered ice-skating rinks
- Offices, shops, residences, and meeting and storage rooms, except as described under "buildings" in the state parks-local parks section
- Properties acquired via a condemnation action of any kind
- Specific projects identified as mitigation as part of a habitat conservation plan approved by the federal government for incidental take of endangered or threatened species or other projects identified for habitat mitigation purposes
- Routine operation and maintenance costs.
Grant Application Schedule
Applications are accepted in even years. See this year’s schedule.Grant Evaluation Process (1 year)
- Applicants submit an online application and make an in-person presentation or submit written materials, depending on the grant category. See requirements for in-person presentation or submit written materials.
- Applications and presentations are reviewed and scored by staff and a panel of experts.
- The ranked list is presented to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board for consideration.
- The board approves a ranked list of projects and sends it to the Governor’s Office for including in the capital budget request to the state Legislature.
- The Governor’s Office prepares a list of projects as part of its capital budget request to the Legislature.
- The Legislature approves a budget and a list of projects.
- The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board meets to make final funding awards for projects approved by the Legislature.
