Conservation in Washington | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

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Washington Department of
Fish & Wildlife

Main Office
Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360-902-2200
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Mailing Address
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

Phil Anderson
Director

WOLF CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT

Wolves are returning to Washington. Learn about wolf conservation, management, natural history, Washington wolf packs, and how to report sightings. Learn more >>

•	Wolf Conservation and Management Plan
•	Annual survey confirms 27 wolves, including three breeding pairs, in Washington

ELK HERD MANAGEMENT

Three meetings slated on draft northeast Washington elk management plan
A draft plan for managing elk in northeast Washington will be the subject of three public meetings Jan. 26- Feb. 2. The proposed elk management plan is referred to as the "Selkirk Elk Herd Plan" because it includes elk in the Selkirk Mountains of Pend Oreille County

•	View the draft Selkirk Elk Herd Plan
•	Submit your comments on the plan

PUGET SOUND ROCKFISH CONSERVATION
Learn More >>	To protect and restore rockfish populations in Puget Sound, WDFW has developed a Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan. The management plan – approved in March 2011 – includes policies, strategies and actions designed to help restore and maintain abundance, distribution, diversity and long-term productivity of rockfish populations in Puget Sound.

COLUMBIA RIVER SEA LIONS
	Columbia River salmon and steelhead face a serious threat from California sea lions that prey on fish waiting to move up the fish ladders at Bonneville Dam in early spring. Each year since 2002, sea lions have consumed thousands of migrating fish, many from threatened and endangered runs protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Learn more >>

HABITAT RESTORATION & PROTECTION
	Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Good environmental stewardship begins in our own backyards. WDFW’s Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program helps you manage your property for wildlife with information on landscaping with plants that provide food and cover. Learn more >>

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive Tunicates Discovered in Washington

•	Report an invasive species sighting

WDFW LANDS
	Wildlife Area Management Plans WDFW manages nearly one million acres of land around the state for fish and wildlife, habitat conservation and wildlife related recreation.

SALMON & STEELHEAD CONSERVATION

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife developed the 21st Century Salmon and Steelhead Initiative to meet its responsibilities in recovering salmon and steelhead and provide sustainable fisheries.

Wildlife License Plates

Help Support Wildlife Activities in Washington
Five new license plate backgrounds to choose from, featuring some of the state’s premier wildlife species. Proceeds from the sale of the plates go to improving management for these and other wildlife species as well as improving conservation and recreation programs related to wildlife in Washington. Now, you can combine BOTH a wildlife background and a personalized message!

LATEST NEWS

•	Annual survey confirms 27 wolves, including three breeding pairs, in Washington
•	Columbia River fishing seasons set for spring chinook, sturgeon
•	Wildlife area near Ellensburg to close February-April to protect elk, reduce private land damage
•	Fishing in rivers around Puget Sound to close due to low wild steelhead returns
•	WDFW will enlist anglers, new website in pending battle against voracious pike
•	WDFW will accept applications for ALEA volunteer grants
•	Hotline to report dead or ill swans available
•	Hunters' help sought for wildlife disease monitoring
•	Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife receives NOAA grant to restore abalone

PHS on the Web
An interactive map of WDFW priority habitats and species information for project review.

I AM LOOKING FOR...

•	Washington's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and Wildlife Action Plan
•	Fish and Wildlife Commision Hatchery & Fishery Reform Policy
•	Fisher Reintroduction Information
•	Avian Influenza Facts
•	Wildlife Areas Habitat Conservation Planning
•	Endangered Species Information
•	Priority Habitat and Species
•	Ballast Water Regulations and Research
•	Salmonid Stock Inventory (SaSI)

SalmonScape
Interactive mapping application includes salmon distribution, status, and habitats

FEATURES

•	Species & Ecosystem Research
•	Wildlife Program Weekly Activity Reports
•	WDFW Oil Spill Team
•	WildWatchCams
•	WDFW Image Gallery

Washington Amphibian & Reptile Atlas
Amphibian & reptile information