Recreation and Conservation Office

@rcowashington.bsky.social

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Official Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office account. Agency manages grants to protect and improve Washington’s natural and outdoor recreation resources. www.rco.wa.gov

Paved section of newly expanded Point Defiance Loop Trail
Register to attend a fall grant round webinar on August 4.
Meadowglen Park groundbreaking ceremony promo. Groundbreaking is July 22 from 9:30–10 a.m.
Students conducting water tests in a pond
Seven new or newly renovated parks partially funded by RCO grants
Crown Park in Camas
Baby Southern Resident orca identified as L130 in front of a dynamic Pokémon-themed background.
Orca named L121, also known as Windsong.
Kitsap Lake Park
Orca named L125, also known as Element.
Salmon habitat restoration knowledge exchange workshop; June 16 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Development site plan
Short video showing silhouettes of Southern Resident orcas to generate excitement for Orca Action Month and inspire people to learn about and take part in one
Aerial of park showing play area, picnic shelter, walking paths, and restroom.
Two images: top image of Southern Resident orca leaping from water, bottom image is the same but has a cartoon-style eyeball on the orca
Purple wildflowers in a grassy field in front of a large tree.
Promo for the Planning for Recreation Access grant program and webinar being hosted on May 13. Child holding a soccer ball and three children peering through a climbing net.
Aerial of new community center, synthetic field, and playground
Multiple images of baby orca with someone saying, "awww so cute" as the images display.
Aerial of the new sports fields at the Gig Harbor sports complex.
Aerial of the City of Bremerton’s docks and moorage, which were built using a grant from the Recreation and Conservation Office. Text on graphic: Accepting applications for spring grants.
Aerial of the new sports fields at the Gig Harbor sports complex.
Grassy field full of white petalled-wildflowers with a large mountain looming in the distance and a lake of water at its base. Text on graphic: We’re hiring; applications close April 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Restroom with colorful graphics depicting naturing. A new playground is visible in the distance.
Large dirt jump on the bike track
Gated dog park
Map of Wards Lake Park with new features highlighted, which include the dog park, bike track, pump track, a new restroom and playground. Text on image: Swipe left for more photos.
Grassy field full of white petalled-wildflowers with a large mountain looming in the distance and a lake of water at its base. Text on graphic: We’re hiring
Graphic encouraging people to serve on the Planning for Recreation Access advisory committee. A child dangling from bright green monkey bars. Text on graphic: Join the Advisory Committee. Advisors help ensure state money is invested in planning projects for communities that have limited access to outdoor recreation opportunities. As an advisor you will provide feedback on grant applications, score grant applications, and occasionally, offer policy input. Apply now at rco.wa.gov/advisor
Images showing the old field and track conditions and an aerial of the new field, with the track still being worked on.
Field of wildflowers in front of a snow-capped mountain. Text on image: Spring Grants, accepting applications
Several people riding horses in a hillside area covered in tall, brown-yellow grass. Text on graphic: Help us improve this program! Comments due March 19
Aerial view of a paved walking path with water on both sides of it and yellowish-green vegetation growing along it
Person riding a motorcycle on a narrow dirt trail surrounded by vegetation, while wearing protective gear, including a helmet, long sleeve shirt, long pants, gloves, and boots. Text on graphic: Help us improve this program!
Aerial view of Snohomish floodplain
Aerial of upper Wenatchee River showing engineered log jams in the river.
Person on skateboard doing a trick in the air above a skatepark bowl. Text on graphic: Spring grants; accepting applications
orca staring at a Chinook salmon lovingly, while the Chinook is worried, with “!!!” above its head. Surround them are candy hearts with different affectionate messages on them. Text on hearts: U+Me Dinner?, Yum yum, UR a catch, tasty, cute enuf 2 eat, so sweet
map of the trail’s location and two photos showing work being done to complete the new trail.
Person kayaking in water near a sandy shore. Rows of green trees dot the shoreline. Text on image: Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program; Regional Pre-Design (Learning) Program and Restoration and Protection Program; applications due February 9
Boating moorage. Text on graphic: Want more places to dock or launch your boat?
Low, rocky cliff side. Text on graphic: Did you know? We're protecting irreplaceable cultural resources.
Bridge over creek. Text on image: Salmon recovery grants application workshop January 29 10 a.m.
Person sliding down water slide. Text on graphic: Grants at a Glance; Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program-Recreation Account; Provides funding for local and state parks, trails, water access, and the conservation and restoration of state land. Grants can be used for buying land for a park, Building ball fields, courts, regional athletic complexes, and waterfront parks, developing regional trails and state lands. rco.wa.gov/WWRPrecreation
Aerial view of KJ Gardner skatepark in Black Diamond, Washington.
Aerial of the Quileute Tribe’s Quillayute River restoration work. River bending through trees and into the ocean in the distance.
Shallow riverbed with fast moving water.
Two salmon floating in crystal clear water slightly above gravel at the bottom of a river. Text on image: We're Hiring; position closes soon
Aerial view of lush green evergreen forest. Whisps of fog trail from the canopy. Text on graphic: Grants at a Glance; Community Forests Program; Provides funding to give communities a way to preserve their working forest heritage. Grants can be used for: Buying land to conserve working forests. Restoring forest and habitat health and developing recreational facilities (on purchased land); rco.wa.gov/CFP
Red, blue, green, and white balls hanging from a tree - each containing the logo for the Recreation and Conservation Office. Additional text reads: Happy Holidays from RCO.
Newly paved, cement pathway along water. People are sitting on benches and grass next to pathway. Text on graphic: Grants at a Glance; Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account; provides funding to protect and enhance aquatic lands; grants can be used for Acquisition, improvement, or protection of aquatic lands for public use, providing or improving access to waterfront. Spring grants open February 2026.
Baseball field. Text on image: Spring grants opening February 2026.
Dirt trail along a green and grassy meadow. In the distance, grass-covered mountains with clumps of trees. Text on image: Seeking comments
Top photo, with "Before" label on it, shows partially collapsed culvert with a trickle of water streaming away from it. "Old culvert" with an arrow identifies the culvert. Bottom photo, with "After" label on it, shows the new, much larger stream simulation culvert and a defined channel with a steady stream pouring through it.
Salmon jumping out of the water