WDFW seeks citizen review of outreach activities

OLYMPIA- Citizens from across the state are being asked this fall by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to recommend ways to improve the department's public outreach activities.

During the past 2½ years, WDFW has made an on-going effort to expand and improve public outreach. However, WDFW Director Jeff Koenings said that citizens have not been asked directly for their views on those activities.

"This is an unprecedented effort by the Department to improve the way we do business with the people we serve every day and the way we connect with citizens, " Koenings said. "It's important that we step back and listen to what people think about how we can become more efficient in serving their needs."

Beginning next week in Ephrata, a series of six "Director's Roundtable" meetings will be held in communities throughout the state where the Department operates regional offices. A seventh meeting will be held in Olympia.

A panel of individuals representing a wide array of fish and wildlife interests has been asked to participate in a focused discussion with Koenings. The Roundtable meetings are open to the public, and will precede meetings between Koenings and regional WDFW employees.

Interested persons can participate in the review of WDFW outreach activities through the agency's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/roundtable/ on the Internet. The special web page provides information on WDFW's present outreach efforts and includes an interactive survey. A list of Roundtable participants and a meeting schedule also is on the web page.

"I hope we hear from people from across the state," Koenings said. "It's important we determine the best tools to efficiently serve citizens."

The Director's Roundtable meeting schedule is: