The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is currently courting public opinion on a suite of 21 new land acquisition proposals aimed at bolstering conservation efforts and expanding outdoor access across the state. Spanning more than 60,000 acres in counties from Asotin to Whitman, the requested input is a part of the department's longstanding Lands 20/20: A Vision for the Future framework, an annual review aimed at shaping the region's ecological future while accounting for human recreation, according to a press release WDFW disseminated.
WDFW Lands Division Manager Kevin Connally expressed the department's dedication to the dual priorities of conservation and recreation, acknowledging the public's heightened appreciation for outdoor spaces. "WDFW takes its role in managing public lands very seriously and carefully weighs the conservation and recreation value of new acquisitions," Connally highlighted, detailing a process that encompasses the input of local communities, habitat needs, and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. Among the swathes of land on the acquisition docket is the Grouse Flats Connection, around 2,440 acres enticing to both ungulates like elk and various bird species, as well as the Umtanum Ridge stretch that spans 3,451 acres of critical shrubsteppe habitat.
The WDFW has timed its briefing to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for Dec. 12 during a virtual web conference, where they will elaborate on the proposed acquisitions. A visit to the Commission's webpage can keep interested parties in the loop on meeting specifics. In the meantime, anyone inclined to offer their perspective on the acquisitions can fire off an email to [email protected] until Nov. 26, 2025, or opt for the more terrestrial option, mailing their thoughts to the Wildlife Program at WDFW's Olympia address.
