Washington’s newest Fish and Wildlife commissioner dies
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD] — Victor Garcia, an educator, hunter and fisherman appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission last year, has died. The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced his death Monday. No cause was provided. “Commissioner Garcia loved this state, and cared deeply for fish and wildlife,” said Commission Chair Jim Anderson. “He was ready to do […]
WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife names Michael Jewell as new police chief
OLYMPIA – Following a nationwide search, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police announced today its new police chief, Michael Jewell, a career law enforcement officer. He was sworn in on July 15, as the new chief. Jewell brings more than 26 years of law enforcement experience to his new role, including 24 years […]
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet June 11 to 13 in Olympia
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid meeting in Olympia from June 11 to 13 to consider proposed land transactions and decide on the lynx Periodic Status Review. The Commission will also hear briefings about the agency budget, agency request legislation, tideland and shoreline legal frameworks, and the electronic catch […]
WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Two members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission are pushing back on newly surfaced allegations that they shunned government transparency laws and appeared to have colluded with the leader of a wildlife advocacy group on policy matters. A scathing 10-page memo says the behavior of commissioners Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland posed “serious risks” […]
WDFW invites public comments on proposed two-pole endorsement rules for Snake and Columbia rivers
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed fishing rule changes for game fish in the Washington portions of the Snake and Columbia rivers. The proposed amendments will allow two-pole fishing for all game fish including walleye, bass, channel catfish, and northern pikeminnow year-round. In July, […]
WDFW accepting pre-proposals for upcoming wildlife diversity grants
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting pre-proposals for an upcoming grant intended to fund wildlife conservation projects that benefit at-risk species in Washington. Pre-proposals for the 2027-2029 Washington Wildlife Diversity Grant Program are due no later than Friday, Nov. 13. From these pre-proposals, WDFW will select the projects best aligned […]
Nine hungry Black Bear cubs are keeping PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center busy
SNOHOMISH — Nine growing black bear cubs currently in care at the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center have some very big appetites—and PAWS is asking the community and local businesses for help keeping up with their dietary needs. PAWS is currently caring for nine black bear cubs at its Snohomish facility, including five expected to return […]
WDFW to conduct drone flights over northern coastal rivers to expand recreational fishery catch monitoring
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff will conduct drone flights over the Quillayute and Hoh river systems to expand recreational fishery catch monitoring beginning in late September 2026. Drone flights will gather census count data by counting the number of anglers on each river. WDFW fishery managers use this data, combined […]
WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife, habitats
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Tuesday a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that introduces students to wildlife of Washington and the habitats where they live. This new lesson bundle is part of the Department’s Wild Washington curricula: standards-based unit plans designed […]
Snohomish County fire fighters win PETA Awards for freeing crow caught in fishing line
SNOHOMISH COUNTY — A Compassionate Fire Department Award and a Compassionate Parks and Recreation Award are on their way from PETA to Snohomish County Fire District 4 and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation after crews teamed up on August 2 to rescue a crow who was tangled in fishing line and dangling roughly 50 feet […]
