By Lois Ward, Washington State Chapter Wildlife Committee
In the face of overlapping climate and extinction crises threatening all of us, Sierra Club Washington State Chapter’s Wildlife Committee is an active and motivated volunteer team working together to protect Washington’s wildlife, our state’s biodiversity, and the habitat that species need to survive – and we need your help!
This past year, the Wildlife Committee has advocated for:
- Ending Washington’s Recreational Spring Bear Hunt in which hungry bears, including mothers with cubs still in a den, are hunted in Washington (one of only eight States that still allow such events).
- “Clear and Conscientious” rules for wolves and cougars. We seek assurances that they will continue to roam our beautiful Washington forests and landscapes forever.
With your help, we can protect even more wildlife for generations to come.
Important Update: Governor Inslee Fills Vacancies on State Fish and Wildlife Commission
We are excited by the Governor’s recent decision to appoint three new members to Washington State’s Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commission, thereby filling all nine positions of which several have remained vacant for years.
The Commission is a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for (WDFW) to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations. The panel plays a critical role in making sure all of our voices are heard and that decisions by the WDFW are in the best interests of all Washingtonians.
The new members are: John Lehmkuhl, a former research wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service; Melanie Rowland, an environmental attorney from Okanogan County who previously worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service Office; and Dr. Tim Ragen, a former executive director of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission from Skagit County.
Sierra Club and other conservation groups have worked hard to get these vacant or expired Commissioner positions filled. Now that they’ve been appointed, we have an important advocacy opportunity to provide information and guidance to them in our effort to protect and preserve wildlife for all Washingtonians. Many issues the Commissioners address are contentious, so we need to ensure they know how their work can best serve the people of Washington and our wildlife.
If you are interested in getting involved in helping Sierra Club protect Washington’s wildlife by volunteering with the Wildlife Committee, please contact Graham Taylor gtaylor916@gmail.com, Committee Chair. We’re excited to get to work in the months ahead!