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Act now to support Washington’s public lands
We need you to urge your legislators to prioritize conservation projects via the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program during budget discussions.

Washington State legislators are currently engaged in budget negotiations in Olympia. While the state's operating budget faces significant challenges, the capital budget, which funds land acquisitions and construction projects, is in a relatively stronger position. Now is the time to urge your legislators to prioritize conservation efforts to protect our natural resources, expand public access, and ensure a sustainable future for Washington State. Just last month, Washington Wild coordinated a letter to budget leaders signed by 135 elected officials, local businesses and conservation and recreation groups supporting a $30 million request for TLT funding.

What’s TLT, you ask? TLT transfers economically under-performing state trust land with ecological values and public benefits into conservation status. Many transferred parcels become parks, open spaces, nature preserves, or similar designations.

TLT has been instrumental in creating some of Washington’s iconic public lands. Places treasured for outdoor recreation like Deception Pass State Park, Mount Si, and Blanchard Mountain owe their existence to TLT. Two years ago, we worked to revitalize this important tool and now legislators have a chance to fund eight new conservation projects around the state.

For example, if funded, the Quileute Tribe will have the opportunity to steward nearly two hundred acres of old growth forest just south of Lake Ozette and selectively harvest cedar canoe trees, which are unavailable on their reservation. Other projects will transfer land to Tribes to permanently protect riparian forests along the Beckler River near Skykomish and the Methow River.

TAKE ACTION:

Newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove wants the TLT program to continue our state’s legacy of conservation and forward-thinking land use policy. Let’s help him out. Please send your legislators an email asking for $30 million for 8 TLT projects in the capital budget.

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Act Now

WA State Legislators

Subject: Please support $30 million in capital budget funding for 8 vital Trust Land Transfer projects

Message:

Dear legislator,

Conservation is an important value in our state. While the state’s operating budget is in crisis, we can still make important investments in the capital budget and I urge you to support $30 million in capital budget funding for DNR’s trust land transfer (TLT) program. The legislature revitalized the TLT tool in 2023, recognizing that certain state trust land deserves permanent protection. Tribes are now recognized partners in our conservation efforts and many of the 8 TLT projects under consideration this session will go directly to Tribes so they can steward these valuable resources. For example, the South Lake Ozette project will give the Quileute Tribe hundreds of acres of old growth forests for conservation and a limited source of cedar canoe trees, which are unavailable on their reservation.

Please support full funding for the TLT program in the capital budget.

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TAKE ACTION:

Thank You!