Washington State Conservation Commission

The Washington State Legislature appropriated $100,000 to the Washington State Conservation Commission to help support and develop critical infrastructure in conservation districts. 

These funds were competitively awarded and used to support the critical infrastructure of conservation districts in meeting locally identified goals.   Funds were used in a variety of ways:

• Strategic Planning: Districts worked on completing their long range plans and also participated in a variety of other local planning efforts.


• Training: Districts participated in a number of training opportunities, including supervisor training, financial classes, GIS training, and Portland State University's River Restoration Certification program.  Other learning opportunities included the Tilth Producers of Washington Conference, the Washington Water Law Conference, and the Direct Seed Conference.


• WACD/WADE Participation: Districts were able to send staff to meetings sponsored by the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) and the Washington Association of District Employees (WADE).  Meetings provided opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and learn new skills.


• Implementing Long-Term Funding: Districts initiated dialogues with their community leaders to work toward implementing special assessments or other means of long-term funding.