News & Updates

  • New Natural Area Preserve Designated in Cowlitz County

    04/06/2026

    Toutle Ridge NAP will protect an exemplary montane fen which supports five rare plant associations and two rare plants  The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has officially designated a new Natural Area Preserve (NAP) in Cowlitz County. Toutle Ridge Fen NAP totals 166 acres…

  • Public Invited to comment on Trout Lake Natural Area Management Plan

    03/25/2026

    DNR will host a public meeting on April 8 at Trout Lake Grange No. 210 to discuss the NAP and provide an overview of the plan. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting to share information about how Washington’s unique species and habitats are protected and preserved at Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve…

  • WEDNESDAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    03/24/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend    The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Colville on Wednesday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials,…

  • THURSDAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    03/24/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend    The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Spokane Valley on Thursday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials…

  • TODAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    03/24/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend    The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Republic today to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials, fire…

  • Commissioner Upthegrove Applauds Legislature for Restoring Wildfire Funding

    03/12/2026

    Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove commended the Legislature for restoring funding for the Department of Natural Resources’ wildfire prevention and response and community resilience programs. “Wildfire touches everyone in Washington. I commend legislators for recognizing that and – even in a difficult budget year – finding ways…

  • DNR to Conduct Mock Fire Exercises at Mud Lake

    03/12/2026

    Agency helicopters, firefighters and equipment will be deployed on March 25 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 mock fire exercises in the Mud Lake area starting on Wednesday, March 25 with a backup date of March 26…

  • DNR Partners with Colville Tribes to Reduce Wildfire Fuels at Nespelem Campus 

    03/06/2026

    Fuels reduction project follows 2025 Kaiser Canyon Fire; additional work planned north of town.  The Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are nearing completion of a 40-acre fuels reduction project on the Colville Indian Agency Campus in Nespelem   Home to the…

  • Board of Natural Resources Expands Kitsap Peninsula Conservation Area

    03/03/2026

    Unanimous Approval Expands Protection of Mature and Old-Growth Forest in Puget Sound Lowlands The State Board of Natural Resources has approved a Trust Land Transfer to expand one of the only extensive, mature, and old-growth forests in the Puget Sound Lowlands. Unanimous approval was granted at the board meeting on March 3. The addition of a…

  • DNR Recreation Sites May Close Due to State Budget Cuts

    02/25/2026

    Agency identifies sites that could close or see service reductions without restored funding The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced tentative reductions to recreation access across the state due to budget cuts amplifying an ongoing…

  • Commissioner Upthegrove Applauds Restoration of Wildfire Funding; Urges Legislature to Reconsider Cuts to Recreation and Environmental Justice Programs

    02/24/2026

    Proposed reductions would hobble DNR’s environmental justice programs and potentially lead to the closure of more than ten recreation sites across the state Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove commended the State House and Senate budget committees for proposing to restore full funding for the Department of Natural Resources’…

  • THURSDAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    02/23/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend    The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Sammamish on Thursday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials,…

  • TOMORROW: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    02/23/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend    The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Dayton on Tuesday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials, fire…

  • WEDNESDAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    02/23/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend     The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Goldendale on Wednesday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code…

  • THURSDAY: DNR Will Host Public Listening Session To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

    02/03/2026

    Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a public listening session in Winthrop on Thursday to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials, fire marshals, planners, and other interested stakeholders regarding…