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Synthesis is a quick overview of our recent work, amplifying our partners' work, and sharing important environmental stories.
Thanks to environmental voters like you, 100% of Washington Conservation Action’s endorsed candidates made it through the Primary Election and will advance to the General Election! Our teams are now focused on winning critical races this November.
Get involved in election-related actions, receive voting reminders, and get the inside scoop on endorsed candidate events through our election newsletter. Click here to opt in.
WCA is joining the movement of celebrating national Civic Holidays as a way to increase awareness about voting and civic engagement. Mark your calendars for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 16. Stay tuned on how you can join us in celebrating this holiday and help our neighbors be #VoteReady!
On August 26, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove took the bold step to conserve 77,000 acres of ecologically valuable forests. This decision is a win for the people and environment! With this order, he fulfills a bold campaign commitment. We are advocating to ensure the 77,000 acres selected are credible and provide the highest possible ecological value. Read more about this decision here.
Federal funding is vital to protecting and restoring healthy and abundant Columbia Basin salmon and other Native fisheries. Right now, Members of Congress have the opportunity to provide the necessary funding to keep salmon streams thriving. Urge your U.S. Representatives support salmon restoration and approve this critical funding now!
WCA and partners in the Columbia Snake River Campaign strongly oppose the “Defending our Dams Act”. This federal bill is a threat to the work to restore a free-flowing Snake River and restore abundant salmon runs. Please demand your U.S. Representatives vote NO on HR 2073 by tomorrow, September 2.
A crucial rulemaking process is underway to protect salmon by ensuring that buffer streams in Washington forests remain cool. Over the last weeks, WCA mobilized almost 800 activists like you to urge the Forest Practices Board to support this rule! Check out our piece in the Seattle Times where we shared why this process is important for people and nature.
The sounds and vibrations from boats make it difficult for orca to communicate with each other and to live their lives. In 2023, WCA helped pass legislation requiring boats stay at least 1,000 yards away from orca. In 2025, this law went into effect. While this was a big win for orca recovery, more can be done to protect this iconic species. Check out how you can further support the 'Give Them Space' campaign here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Last Catch Series: Episode 2
The Last Catch: Conversations on the Columbia and Snake Rivers is a dynamic speaker series that explores the future of our rivers and the vital role they play in the ecology, economy, and culture of the Northwest. Join us for the next episode on September 17 at 6 p.m. to hear about the history, resilience, and future of the Columbia Basin. Register here!
The Way of the Masks will chart a Native-led journey of ceremony and resistance to protect ancient forests, salmon habitat, and Tribal sovereignty. From September 6 to 20, Indigenous leaders will travel over 1,600 miles across the Northwest, making 10 stops in Bellingham, Olympia, Portland, Eugene, Klamath River, Lapwai, Lower Elwha, and Seattle. Mark your calendars and join us at a stop!
Olympickin’ Bluegrass Festival
WCA is an official sponsor of the 2025 Olympickin’ Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, September 6. Enjoy local bluegrass bands and soak up the last bit of Washington’s summer. Visit our table for free merch, ways you can take action, and info on how you can get involved to protect people and nature as one. Get tickets here.
Environmental Justice Book Club
Join WCA Ambassadors tomorrow, Tuesday, Sep 2, for a guided book discussion on Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild-built. We’ll be exploring nature and social justice themes together. You don’t have to complete the book to join, as we welcome participation in any capacity. RSVP here. We also invite you to join our community Discord, where we vote on upcoming books.
The We Are Puget Sound photo exhibit is now live in Tacoma at the Foss Waterway Seaport. The in-person exhibit is designed to inspire urgent action to restore Puget Sound’s health. It features work from regional photographers showcasing individuals working to find solutions to protect the Puget Sound’s waters, wildlife, health and economic prosperity. Admission to the Foss Waterway Seaport is free!
The Carbon-Friendly Forestry Conference
The Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference is coming soon. Join us on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Cedarbrook Lodge, Seattle, for a full day of forestry dialog! This year, topics will center around the theme: Collective Solutions in the Face of a Changing Federal Landscape. Reserve your tickets now!
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Pyramid Communications
Pyramid Communications is a full-service strategy and creative firm that has been giving voice to good causes for over 30 years. Our clients are nonprofit organizations, philanthropies, government agencies, and Native tribes and Native-led organizations focused on climate & the environment, health justice, education, and arts & culture.
From efforts to restore wild salmon, to increasing COVID vaccination rates, to increasing access to arts education for youth, our projects span sectors and issue areas to support clients making a difference in our communities. Some of our recent work includes:
Supporting Native Vote Washington’s 2024 Voting is Good Medicine online training series which brought togetherTribes, voter advocacy groups, and Native led organizations to workshop electioneering organizing plans and strategies.
Campaigning to restore salmon and invest in communities by serving as a strategic partner and leading communications on the Snake River restoration.
Evaluating the historic No on 2117 campaign to protect the Climate Commitment Act, identifying learnings and opportunities to sustain Washington State’s progress on climate, clean energy, and related jobs in the future.
