Investing in Washington's Great Outdoors

Recreation Conservation Salmon and Orca Recovery Invasive Species

259,009

Miles of Trail Created and Maintained

2,210

Parks Created and Improved

31,994

Acres of Farmland Preserved

4,965

Miles of Stream and Shoreline Conserved

Impact since 1967

Salmon jumping upstream

Accepting Applications for Grants to Help Recover Salmon

Images of salmon, a playground, an orca jumping from the water, zebra mussels, and a view of trees on a mountainside

Get the Latest RCO News

Read Our Newsletter

Three people planting plants along a riverbank

Climate Commitment Act Projects

Featured Projects

City of Bellingham’s Little Squalicum Estuary Restoration

Funding Source: Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account, Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program

Funding: $936,000

Recipient: City of Bellingham

Location: Bellingham

The City of Bellingham used an Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account grant and an Estuary and Salmon Restoration grant to restore tidal and sediment processes, improve fish passage, remove scattered beach debris, and return 2.4 acres of saltmarsh, mudflat, and estuary habitats to the Little Squalicum Estuary. The estuary will provide juvenile rearing, refuge, foraging, and habitats for multiple fish and wildlife species including Endangered Species Act-listed Puget Sound Chinook and other priority species like steelhead trout, coho salmon, and southern resident killer whales.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

Port of Anacortes’ Sante Marina RV Park

Funding Source: Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account, Land and Water Conservation Fund

Funding: $1,100,000

Recipient: Port of Anacortes

Location: Port of Anacortes

The Port of Anacortes used an Aquatic Lands and Enhancement Account grant and a Land and Water Conservation grant to improve and expand the RV park at Cap Sante Marina. The port built twenty-five RV spaces with utility hook-ups and paved the area to make it easier to walk on and connect it to neighboring parks and trails.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

Port of Port Townsend’s Jetty Replacement

Funding Source: Boating Infrastructure Grant Program

Funding: $825,792

Recipient: Port of Port Townsend

Location: Port Townsend

The Port of Port Townsend used a Boating Infrastructure Grant to design, engineer, and replace the north and south jetties of the Point Hudson Marina, which protect the entrance and the boats that moor there from waves, tides, and storm surges.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

North Bend’s Tennant Trailhead Park

Funding Source: Land and Water Conservation Fund

Funding: $300,040

Recipient: City of North Bend

Location: North Bend

The City of North Bend collaborated with Si View Metropolitan Park District, King County, Snoqualmie Tribe, and the Trust for Public Land to conserve nearly thirty-five acres on Rattlesnake Mountain. The partnership used an RCO grant of $300,040 from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and matching resources of $1.7 million, to build a community park, parking lot, picnic area, viewpoints, interpretive signs, and a restroom.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

Camp Coweeman Restoration

Funding Source: Salmon Recovery and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration

Funding: $993,069

Recipient: Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group

Location: Cowlitz County

The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group used six RCO grants over a period of eight years to plan, coordinate, and manage the creation of 7.35 miles of contiguous cold-water habitat in the Coweeman River to benefit endangered Columbia River Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout. The group enhanced two side channels, added wood loads to recover alluvial reach, and re-engaged with the floodplain, which will lead to flushing out fine sediments that have accumulated from historic logging practices and improve spawning habitat.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

Olympia’s Lions Park

Funding Source: Recreation Projects-Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

Funding: $500,000

Recipient: City of Olympia

Location: Olympia

The City of Olympia used a WWRP–Local Park grant to build a sprayground at Lions Park in Olympia. The City also built a new stormwater facility, improved the park’s shelter to allow better access to the spray ground, improved the parking areas, constructed walkways that can be accessed by people with disabilities, and added lighting.

More About This Project
Featured Projects

Kenmore’s Tl’ awh-ah-dees Park

Funding Source: Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account, Habitat Conservation Projects-Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

Funding: $700,000

Recipient: City of Kenmore

Location: Kenmore

The City of Kenmore used two RCO grants to renovate Tl’ awh-ah-dees Park, part of the City’s 2016 Waterfront & Natural Open Space Access Project. The renovated park improves water access with a new non-motorized watercraft facility and float and hand carry launches. It also includes a community plaza, picnic shelter, public restrooms, trails, and elevated walkways with river viewing platforms. In addition to the amenities, the City improved the nearby wetlands habitat for migratory birds, fish and salmon species, and other wildlife by removing more than four acres of invasive species and plant

More About This Project

News and Events

State Accepting Grant Applications for Park Planning

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is accepting applications until July 15 for grants to pay for planning projects in communities that lack adequate access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The Planning for Recreation Access (PRA) program focuses on diverse urban neighborhoods and small rural communities seeking funding to develop shovel-ready park plans and […]

May 27, 2026Read More

New Guide to Combat Ash Tree-Destroying Insect

OLYMPIA—A new guide to help Washington landowners and land managers detect and limit the spread of an invasive, wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees is now available thanks to the collaborative effort of state and federal agencies. Native to eastern Asia, the emerald ash borer first appeared in the United States in 2002 […]

May 19, 2026Read More

Governor Declares Invasive Species Awareness Week in Washington

OLYMPIA–Gov. Bob Ferguson, in partnership with the Washington Invasive Species Council, has proclaimed February 23-27 as Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week, recognizing the ongoing threat invasive plants, animals and pathogens pose to the state. “Invasive species continue to threaten Washington’s lands, waters and communities,” Ferguson said. “Everyone—from students to farmers to outdoor enthusiasts—has a part […]

February 10, 2026Read More

All News

Reports and Studies

Public Lands Inventory

State Recreation and Conservation Plan

State of Salmon in Watersheds

Browse Reports & Studies

Get Involved

Volunteer for an Advisory Committee

RCO always is looking for volunteers to review and evaluate grant applications. By joining the many individuals who help RCO with this important role, you have a say in ensuring Washington stays a great place to live.

Learn More

Policy Changes

RCO is committed to making rules and policies that have been discussed with the public.

Policy and Rulemaking

Learn More