WDFW Director holding online Q&A for Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, and Franklin county residents

YAKIMA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind and South Central Region Director, Mike Livingston, will take questions from the public in an online broadcast from the Yakima region office from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4.

“Our south central region is a popular area for hunting and fishing, and like other areas of the state, faces unique conservation challenges,” Susewind said. “This region is home to several major wildlife areas, which are a key part of our habitat and management strategies here. We want to hear what’s on the minds of residents and stakeholders during this digital open house."

This is the fifth digital open house held by the director on a regional level. WDFW’s south central region spans Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima counties. Members of the public can watch and ask questions from links on the department’s website at wdfw.wa.gov or at https://player.invintus.com/?clientID=2836755451&eventID=2019121000

Susewind and Livingston will share updates on a number of local and statewide issues, including land management and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, habitat projects in the region, WDFW’s budget challenges, and the latest on the region’s elk herds.

Susewind has held a series of in-person and digital open houses across the state since 2018. These online open houses allow the public to ask questions and get updates on the department’s activities from their own homes. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities.