Check out what we've been up to.

No images? Click here [link removed]

Synthesis is a quick read to give you the bits of our recent work, to amplify our partners' work, and to share important environmental stories.

In November, WCA announced Free and Raven Borsey of the Lummi Nation as the winners of its 18th annual $100,000 Bullit Prize! The twin brothers, 27, plan to use funds from the prize to revive the Lummi Youth Canoe Family. Read more here. [[link removed]] We will be presenting the award at the annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference in Seattle.

The 2024 election results were certified by counties this past week. In Washington State, we grew environmental majorities in the legislature. We defeated far-right initiatives like I-2117. We elected a climate champion as Governor and Commissioner of Public Lands. We made progress in local elections while facing strong oppositions – specifically in Pierce, Yakima, Clallam, and Snohomish counties. All of these wins would not have been possible without you! Thank you!

We’re incredibly thrilled that WCA’s endorsed candidate Dave Upthegrove will be Washington’s next Commissioner of Public Lands (CPL)! Upthegrove won on a detailed vision for modern management of our public state forests. Check out our vision for the next CPL in the 2024 State of our Forests and Public Lands report. [[link removed]]

Unfortunately, Initiative I-2066 narrowly passed -- it rolls back climate progress and spikes annual energy bills passed with a slim margin. However, the fight is not over. Five percent of voters left the initiative question blank, suggesting voters needed more information. Read more about a potential court challenge here [[link removed]].

On Earth Day, we launched our ambitious voter engagement campaign to get 50,000 new or infrequent voters to vote in November. Our team hosted various events and phonebanks to help reach this goal. With your help, we successfully gathered 58,900 pledges to vote pro-environment!

CEO Alyssa Macy was appointed to the team to help with Bob Ferguson’s transition to governor! 52 other leaders across the state join Alyssa in assisting Bob Ferguson to implement his priorities, including environmental justice, in the first 100 days of his new administration. Read more about it here [[link removed]].

Watch this special short film "Tribute to the Orca" [[link removed]] that highlights Indigenous communities' ancient kinship with orcas and salmon. Featuring voices of regional Indigenous leaders, this film, produced by Se’Si’Le, is a follow-up of a successful event held during Orca Action Month in June 2024.

After a tough fight to elect forestry-first Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove, we are ready to support the efforts that must be made by DNR to manage public lands for all of Washington, not just timber profits. Check out this op-ed co-authored by WCA’s Forest Program Director, Rachel Baker, on how the new Commissioner can uphold this responsibility. [[link removed]]

This December, team WCA is prioritizing rest and planning for the 2025 Legislative Session beginning January 13. We need volunteer advocates and activists from across the state to educate and inform our neighbors, lobby our elected officials, and rally for environmental justice. Sign up to join us and get on our legislative activist list! [[link removed]]

Happening this Friday! WCA’s annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference December 6 at Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle. Learn about advances in forestry and ecological forest management. We will also be awarding the $100,000 Bullitt Prize! Please join us in-person at Cedarbrook Lodge, Seattle. Tickets are almost sold out. Reserve your spot here. [[link removed]]

Need a gift idea that gives back? Check out Bison Pickle’s newest National Park paddles collection, particularly the Mt. Rainer (Tahoma) Pickleball Paddle Set, where 10% of every purchase benefits Washington Conservation Action! Buy it now and get it in time for gifting season! [[link removed]]

In your early 70’s and have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? If so, you probably know that the IRS requires you start making distributions from that account starting when you are 73 years old. These distributions are normally taxed as income at your current tax rate in the year you take them. However, if you make all or part of this distribution to Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, the portion given to us is tax-free! Click here to learn more [[link removed]].

RACIAL JUSTICE GLOSSARY

Cultural Burning

Cultural burning refers to the indigenous practices of using controlled fires to modify and maintain landscapes such as forests and grasslands for a variety of ecological and social purposes, including but not limited to the creation of wildlife corridors; promoting fire-adapted plant species for medicinal, culinary, and material applications; and improving soil. Cultural burning can also result in decreased risk of wildfire severity, and many of the forests of what is now the western US are adapted to frequent, intentional burning. However, the federal and many state governments have prohibited cultural burning as part of their wildfire suppression policies. Recent and ongoing efforts are making progress in removing barriers to the inherent rights of Tribal nations to practice cultural burning.

Washington Conservation Action

1417 Fourth Avenue, Suite 800 | Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 631-2600 | [email protected]

EIN: 91-0839385

You are subscribed to receive emails from Washington Conservation Action

Preferences [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed]