Habitat recovery and protection
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife administers or assists with a number of programs to protect and preserve habitat in the state, whether responding to emergencies or proactively aiding fish and wildlife species faced with a changing environment.
Find a WDFW habitat biologist
Find contact information for a WDFW habitat biologist in your area with this interactive webmap.
Fish Passage
When salmon and steelhead cannot migrate upstream to spawn due to stream and river barriers, populations decline. WDFW works to correct these barriers in Washington.
Climate change
Earth's climate is changing, and Washington is feeling the effects. WDFW has adopted a strategic approach to deal with threats of climate change.
Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) Program
This program shares information about the locations of fish, wildlife, and their habitats, to inform local governments, landowners, and others.
Puget Sound recovery
WDFW works to protect and restore Puget Sound shoreline and nearshore environments such as beaches, bluffs, inlets, and river deltas.
Oil spill prevention and response
WDFW's Oil Spill Team is dedicated to rescuing oiled wildlife and protecting natural resources.
Farm Bill programs in Washington
The federal Farm Bill delivers many benefits to fish, wildlife, and their habitats in Washington, as well as local landowners.
Chehalis Basin Strategy
The basin-wide strategy includes actions and projects designed to reduce flood-related damage while also restoring aquatic species habitat in the Chehalis River basin.
High Resolution Change Detection (HRCD) project
Explore how land cover – specifically new development and/or tree loss – has changed over time using high resolution aerial imagery.
Derelict fishing gear removal project
Derelict fishing gear includes nets, lines, crab and shrimp traps or pots, and other equipment lost or abandoned in the marine environment.
Volunteer Cooperative Grant Program
The Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account Program has supported hundreds of projects that engage volunteers and benefit Washington’s fish and wildlife resources.
SalmonScape
The SalmonScape mapping tool shows how streams are used by the five Pacific salmon species in the state.
Shrubsteppe Fire Preparedness, Response, and Restoration
The Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration Initiative will benefit wildlife by restoring shrubsteppe habitat, helping at-risk species recover, and supporting working lands in Eastern Washington.