Connecting people to nature: 2025 Watchable Wildlife Grant recipients expand access to wildlife viewing opportunities

WDFW awarded $30,000 to local projects making wildlife viewing more accessible

From left to right- A wildlife photographer stands at the WDFW Skagit Wildlife Area; a WDFW biologist points out wildlife for students to identify with field guides while on a school trip; a person using a wheelchair searches for birds using binoculars. (Photo by Peder Blomker)

This summer, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) proudly awarded funding for four recipients to support wildlife viewing opportunities as part of the 2025–2027 Watchable Wildlife Grant.

The recipients were:

• The Salish Sea School, Anacortes
• Cascadia Conservation District, Wenatchee
• Kittitas Environmental Education Network, Ellensburg
• Puget Sound Estuarium, Olympia

WDFW’s Watchable Wildlife Grant opens every two years for individuals, nonprofits, schools and universities, local and county governments, and federally-recognized tribes in Washington to apply for grant funding for projects that create, improve, increase, and/or promote community wildlife viewing, experiential, and learning opportunities. This year, the Department had $30,000 to support selected applicants through June 30, 2027.

“The Watchable Wildlife Grant is an exciting and competitive opportunity supporting projects that introduce Washingtonians to the joy of wildlife viewing,” said Kelsey Hansen, WDFW watchable wildlife coordinator. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to fund projects that help connect people to fish and wildlife in meaningful ways. Wildlife viewing can be a great way to get people from all walks of life to care about conservation.”

WDFW prioritized initiatives that were brought forward by or co-developed with underserved and marginalized communities. Ideal proposals benefitted or addressed barriers for underrepresented communities and/or applied diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in their projects.

“This year’s projects are deeply inclusive and bring meaningful enrichment to the communities they serve,” Hansen stated.

Two projects from the 2023–2025 grant cycle have received second-phase funding, allowing partners to build on early successes and deepen their impact.

“These continued efforts are incredibly important,” explained Hansen. “Expanding access to wildlife viewing and community involvement isn’t a one-and-done achievement. It takes sustained collaboration and long-term commitment to truly strengthen programs and connect with people.”

The Awardees

The Salish Sea School (TSSS), a nonprofit in Anacortes, provides hands-on marine science education with a strong focus on getting underserved youth on beaches and boats. Their mission is to awaken curiosity and deepen connections with the sea through shore and sea exploration programs for all ages. They aim to achieve this through outdoor adventures, engaging participants in research projects, and leading impactful action initiatives.

With this grant, TSSS will continue a partnership with Allen Elementary, a Title I school in Skagit County. Over the course of two years, TSSS will bring 120 Latino fifth grade students (many visiting the beach for the first time) on eight wildlife-focused boat trips to James and Cypress islands in the Salish Sea. Students will observe and identify marine mammals, birds, and intertidal species using bilingual field guides, binoculars, and bilingual journals while practicing respectful observation skills.

“We are truly honored to be a recipient of the Watchable Wildlife Grant from WDFW. Thanks to this support, we can provide students with their very first boat ride to a Salish Sea island — where many feel the salty spray of the sea and touch sand for the very first time, and discover the wonder of sea stars, chitons, harbor porpoises, pigeon guillemots, and so much more,” said Amy Eberling, TSSS’s executive director. “These moments are life-changing for our students, opening their eyes to the beauty and richness of our local ecosystems. We are deeply grateful for the chance to share such meaningful experiences and to inspire the next generation of stewards, all while fostering respectful and responsible wildlife viewing.”

Left- Astudent with TSSS shows a barnacle they found on the shoreline. Middle- Students enjoy their boat trip exploring the San Juan Islands. Right- A student searches for wildlife using binoculars. (Photos by The Salish Sea School)

The Cascadia Conservation District (CCD) serves Chelan County with a mission of encouraging wise stewardship and conservation of all natural resources for current and future county residents. A key objective for their organization is to educate both adults and youth about conservation and stewardship of natural resources. CCD was also a recipient of Watchable Wildlife Grant funding during the 2023 cycle.

With this cycle’s funding, CCD will continue to expand and lead their after-school Students Watching Wildlife Program (SWWP) in the Wenatchee School District with fourth and fifth grade students. Students will continue partnering with wildlife professionals to install trail cameras, observe local wildlife, and share their video footage online, on social media, and in CCD’s newsletter.

This grant cycle will enable CCD to purchase a bioacoustics recorder so students can capture and share audio such as bird calls and other natural sounds. In addition, funding will cover student and staff transportation to field sites and will be used to purchase wildlife skull and track models for hands-on learning.

“We and the students who attend the Mission View Elementary School’s After School Program are excited to be able to continue watching wildlife captured with the trail cameras. We’re thrilled to add another element to our wildlife observations with a bioacoustics recorder so that we can hear what birds and other animals are using the riparian habitats here in North Central Washington. We have already had students getting excited and asking great questions about beavers and other wildlife from examining skulls that we have been able to purchase with grant funds,” says Kirk Beckendorf, environmental educator with CCD.

Left and right- Two raccoons and a coyote are spotted on trail cameras that were set up by students in the SWWP. Center- Students in the SWWP set up a trail camera. (Photos by Cascadia Conservation District)

The Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN), a nonprofit organization based in Ellensburg, is dedicated to environmental education and conservation in central Washington. Their mission is to foster an understanding of climate change impacts on the endangered shrubsteppe habitat and promote environmental stewardship through culturally relevant, nature-based education.

With their grant funding, KEEN will create and install several educational interpretive signs to highlight local species, wetland ecology, and responsible wildlife viewing practices along wetland trails at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center in Helen McCabe Park. The signs will include descriptions provided in English, Spanish, Braille, and Sahaptin and will be used in guided trail walks as part of KEEN’s summer camps, G.O. (Get Outside) field trips, and their annual Get Intimate with the Shrubsteppe event.

“As a Watchable Wildlife Grant recipient, KEEN is excited to create multilingual interpretive signs that expand access and make the outdoors more welcoming, ensuring that all visitors can connect with the wildlife of central Washington,” states Jill Scheffer, president of KEEN. “This grant will help KEEN build signs in multiple languages, so more people feel welcomed, included, and inspired to enjoy and care for the wildlife and landscapes of our region. Thanks to the Watchable Wildlife Grant, KEEN will share the story of our wetlands in multiple languages, making nature more welcoming and accessible for everyone.”

Kittitas Environmental Education Network and the Ellensburg High School construction class led by Taylor Wilson celebrate construction of a large picnic shelter at the future home of the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center at Helen McCabe Park. (Photo by Kittitas Environmental Education Network)

The Puget Sound Estuarium (the Estuarium) is a nonprofit in Olympia whose mission is to foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of Puget Sound. Their vision is to build a well-informed, engaged community that actively supports the health, conservation, and restoration of Puget Sound.

Some of the programs receiving support through the Watchable Wildlife Grant include their “Meet the Beach” shoreline interpretation programs, night-time “Pier Peer” dock walks, urban bird watching trips, and salmon viewing at a local preserve. Like CCD, the Estuarium was a recipient of Watchable Wildlife Grant funding during the 2023 cycle, and some of their work will continue forward from previous funding. They plan to reach several thousand attendees over the course of nearly two years of programming.

The Estuarium’s programs are intentionally designed to break down barriers — whether they be financial, physical, or related to safety or information — that often prevent underrepresented groups from engaging with local wildlife. Watchable Wildlife Grant funding will cover transportation to nearby beaches, docks, and salmon-bearing streams where educational programs are offered, and it will help reduce or eliminate attendance costs. Funding will also support the purchase of safety gear such as life vests that will be provided for use during programming.

Additionally, funds will support the purchase of accessible wildlife viewing tools, including magnifying lenses, large-print illustrated identification guides, adaptive binoculars, and take-home print materials that reinforce ethical viewing practices and species identification.

“There is nothing quite as spectacular as viewing animals in the wild, but you’ve got to know how to be safe. We are very thankful to WDFW for providing funding for improved safety equipment, adaptive and accessible gear, and take-home educational materials for participants to stay informed,” stated Clarissa Felling, the Estuarium’s program and volunteer director. “We cannot wait to show everyone great blue herons nesting in town, sea stars on the beach at low tide, or crabs gathering at the docks, all while knowing both participants and wildlife will be safe.”

Left- A volunteer shows off collected marine specimens for up close viewing during the Puget Sound Estuarium’s nighttime Pier Peer program. Right- A volunteer prepares a spotting scope and tablet adapter to allow Urban Birding participants to gather around and view a great blue heron with ease. (Photos by the Puget Sound Estuarium)

Coming full circle

Watchable Wildlife Grant funding comes from the Wild on Washington: Bald Eagle license plate, one of the state’s specialized wildlife license plates. Thanks to Washingtonians who have purchased a bald eagle license plate, these watchable wildlife projects will continue for the next two years, bringing joy, learning, and meaningful access to wildlife viewing for people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the state.

WDFW’s Watchable Wildlife Program is defined by RCW 77.32.560 and includes but is not limited to initiating partnerships with communities to jointly develop watchable wildlife projects, building infrastructure to serve wildlife viewers, assisting and training communities in conducting wildlife watching events, developing destination wildlife viewing corridors and trails, tours, maps, brochures, and travel aides; and offering grants to assist rural communities in identifying key wildlife attractions and ways to protect and promote them.

Interested in applying to the Watchable Wildlife Grant in the future? Grant applications will open again in Spring 2027.

If you are feeling inspired to watch wildlife on your own from home or elsewhere, you can find out how to get started on WDFW’s wildlife viewing webpage.