Headlines
Commissioner Franz Partners with Sustainable Blue to Identify Opportunities for On-Land Aquaculture for State Lands
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz signed today a partnership agreement with Nova Scotia-based Sustainable Blue, a zero discharge, land-based salmon farming company, to identify opportunities for siting sustainable finfish aquaculture in Washington State.... More...
Date: April 11, 2023
Commissioner Franz Launches ‘Wildfire Ready Neighbors’ in Western Washington to Protect Homes, Properties from Wildfires
Initiative connects residents with experts, resources, and tools to better prepare communities for wildfire season
Whether you live on the westside or the eastside of the state, the threat of wildfire is real and growing. With that in mind, Commissioner of Public... More...
Date: April 4, 2023
DNR Planning Prescribed Burns on More than 2,100 Acres of State Trust Lands
Full implementation of the burn prescriptions would reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health ahead of fire season.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that it plans to implement as many as seven prescribed burns on state... More...
Date: March 28, 2023
DNR to Conduct Mock Fire Exercise in Capitol State Forest
Agency helicopters, firefighters and equipment will be deployed Wednesday in a simulated training for aviation and ground crews
In preparation for wildfire season, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting a mock fire exercise in... More...
Date: March 27, 2023
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Announces a Kids’ Environmental Justice Art Contest
Youth of all ages are encouraged to participate
The Washington State Department of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for this year’s Youth Art Contest with the theme of “Environmental Justice... More...
Date: March 23, 2023
Federal Government to Fund $25M in Wildfire Defense Grants in Washington
Funding will be distributed by DNR to 14 successful applicants on both sides of the Cascades
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today $197 million in funding for the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program -- more than $25 million of... More...
Date: March 20, 2023
Legislation to Remove Derelict Structures Would Promote Healthier Environment, Communities
Legislation to remove derelict structures would promote healthier environment, communities
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz today championed cleaner, healthier waterfronts during a press conference highlighting the positive impacts of House Bill 1378.... More...
Date: March 17, 2023
DNR Closes Whatcom County Rock Pit to Target Shooting, Public Access
North Fork rock pit, northeast of Deming, contains elevated levels of lead, recent field tests found
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources closed the North Fork rock pit in Whatcom County to target shooting this month after recent testing found... More...
Date: March 16, 2023
DNR Hires New Director of Tribal Relations
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the hiring of Patrick DePoe as Director of Tribal Relations.
A University of Washington graduate, Patrick is a member of the Makah Tribe and grew up in Neah Bay on the reservation. For the past... More...
Date: March 15, 2023
Commissioner Franz Announces New AI Wildfire Fighting Technology Pilot Partnership
Advanced Technology from Pano AI Allows for Rapid Response to Emerging Wildfire Threats
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has announced a new pilot partnership to use advanced AI technology and actionable intelligence to combat the states’ growing wildfire... More...
Date: March 10, 2023
‘Cascading Impacts of Wildfire’ Bill Passes House with Unanimous Vote, Heads to Senate
Senate will now consider bipartisan legislation to expand Wildfire Ready Neighbors to Western Washington and prepare for smoke, landslide, and debris flow risks
Wildfire seasons are becoming wildfire years – but Washington legislators voted this week to give... More...
Date: March 7, 2023
DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program Accepting Grant Applications
Projects in areas of high environmental health disparities qualify for a reduced match rate as DNR strives for statewide urban tree equity
The Washington Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications this month for the 2023-2024 round of grant funding... More...
Date: March 7, 2023
Commissioner Franz Celebrates House Passage of Carbon Credit Bill
Washington moved a step closer to capitalizing on the ability of the state’s public lands to capture and store carbon to help address climate change and increase revenues for schools and communities, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said today.
The... More...
Date: March 7, 2023
DNR and WDFW Invite Public Input on Central Washington Green Dot Road Management
Meeting to be held March 14 in Ellensburg
The Washington departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife are welcoming public feedback on proposed management updates for Green Dot Roads on state lands in Central Washington.
The Departments invite... More...
Date: March 6, 2023
Passage of Derelict Structures Legislation Puts Washington’s Aquatic Habitat on Cleaner, Healthier Track, says Commissioner Franz
The Department of Natural Resources is a step closer to creating healthier, safer waterfronts after the House of Representatives passed House Bill 1378 this afternoon, Monday, March 6.
Requested by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, the legislation... More...
Date: March 6, 2023
Popular Forest Landowners’ Winter School Returns to In-Person Classes
WSU Extension, DNR offer day of seminars on forest health, habitat, chainsaw safety and more at Spokane Community College’s Colville campus.
Forest landowners in Eastern Washington interested in forest health, wildfire prevention and other topics will have the... More...
Date: February 14, 2023
Commissioner Franz Urges House to Pass Carbon Credit Bill
Washington should be able to generate revenue from the carbon stored in its public lands, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz told the state House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday.
Testifying in support of House Bill 1789, Commissioner Franz... More...
Date: February 14, 2023
State Looks to Seize Opportunity to Cash in on Carbon for Schools and Communities
Legislation would enable DNR to sell carbon credits to generate new revenue to fund schools, restore salmon habitat, and protect working forests
Storing carbon in Washington’s forests, fields and waterways could be a new source of revenue for schools, communities,... More...
Date: February 9, 2023
Commissioner of Public Lands Testifies in Favor of Statewide Wildfire Impacts Bill
The DNR-led Cascading Impacts of Wildfire bill would secure funding for critical wildfire and smoke prevention and mitigation work
With Western Washington wildfire impacts still top of mind after the Bolt Creek Fire belched smoke across the Puget lowlands this past... More...
Date: February 8, 2023
State Adopts Naming Proposals Honoring Black, Indigenous History
New names of Mason County lake, wetland honor Black Kitsap Peninsula homesteaders
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved two proposals to rename features in Mason County for early Black settlers of the Kitsap Peninsula and two proposals to rename... More...
Date: February 7, 2023
