The upcoming Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission's hybrid meeting in Olympia, set for June 26-28, will tackle a slew of key conservation subjects, according to an official news release. On the agenda are committee meetings, conversations surrounding the resident native trout harvest policy, updates on the 2026 Legislative Session, and decisions regarding amendments to deer and elk crop damage rules. The commission will also review the status of certain species and discuss potential land transactions.
Located at the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE in Olympia, the Thursday meetings will open with discussions on various topics, among them a conservation policy update and coastal steelhead, along with landowner hunting permit preview and more. For those who can't attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed for broader access, and the commission encourages public input with advanced registration required for those wishing to comment.
The full Commission meeting will start on Friday with an open public input session leading into a report from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind, who will acknowledge the efforts of the agency's regional award winners, after which the Commission will delve into discussions on initiatives promoting the use of lead-free ammunition. The day's sessions will hit their stride with a dive into specifics: the 9,055-acre Beezley Hills property in Grant County and the 0.34-acre Chimicum Unit Addition in Jefferson County are slated for acquisition decisions. And in closing the day, a briefing on the looming 2026 Legislative Session will be on the docket to prime for the political battles that lie ahead.
As the meeting progresses into Saturday, participants will have another chance at voicing their opinions during another open public input opportunity, this one paving the way to a briefing on the State Wildlife Action Plan, the conversation steering toward alignments and aspirations for state wildlife management. There will also be talks setting the stage for future meeting planning discussion all this leading up to an Executive Session to cap off this convergence of minds, the meeting will close with a forward look into the intricacies of guiding policy and stewardship which lays the foundation stones for the delicate balance of Washington’s natural inheritance.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, appointed by the governor, plays a critical role in shaping policies that aim to sustain and manage the state's ecological treasures. With a commitment to inclusion, the Commission extends an invitation to all individuals, "regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability," to share their perspectives and partake in public feedback opportunities. For those who wish to follow the proceedings post-meeting, recordings will be made available on the Commission's webpage, offering transparency and continued engagement with the public.
