State needs volunteers to score recreation, conservation grant applicants

Published 1:13 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is looking for nearly 70 volunteers to help determine how millions of dollars in state grants should be spent in Washington’s great outdoors.

The volunteers will score grant applications submitted in two statewide programs. First is the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which provides grants to build and renovate parks and trails, and to protect and restore valuable wildlife habitat and farmland. The other program, the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account, provides grants to restore Washington shorelines and create access for people to the waterfront. The grants are awarded to cities, counties, state agencies, tribes and other entities.

Volunteers are needed among park and shoreline users, trail users, farmers and ranches, wildlife conservationists and shoreline conservationists.

Travel expenses usually will be paid for citizens, local government and nonprofit members. To apply, send a completed application and support materials to RCO by March 30. Applications are available online at: www.rco.wa.gov/grants/advisory_cmte.shtml.