The countdown is on as the state Legislature works diligently to pass budgets and bills before the 2021 session concludes on April 25.
Speak Up for Nature
Legislators need to hear your voice — head to our action page to speak up for a better tomorrow today.
Many of our top priority policies have made it this far, with a big victory to note: The House and Senate both unanimously approved House Bill 1168 to support forest health, wildfire preparedness and community resilience, and both chambers’ Operating budgets include funding for implementation. This is a major step forward for proactively managing Washington state’s wildfire challenges.
But the work isn’t done yet — and we need your help!
Good news! The Clean Fuel Standard (HB 1091) has passed both chambers at the Legislature. However, the House’s version of the bill is significantly stronger than the Senate’s. Lawmakers are now negotiating to resolve the chambers’ differing versions of the bill, so your senator needs to hear your support for a strong final policy to head to the Governor’s desk.
Many other bills are also in the concurrence or conference stage of the legislative process.
A Healthy Environment for All
We’re advocating with a broad group of partners for the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act (SB 5141), which implements the recommendations of the state’s Environmental Justice Task Force. Incorporating environmental justice principles and practices into how state government serves Washingtonians would be an important step on the path to a more equitable, sustainable future. And it would make a big difference for the health of people across Washington, especially in communities that bear disproportionately high health risks due from pollution and other environmental harms.
Thanks for speaking up!
We’re almost there, but it’s not time to declare victory yet. With your voice in the chorus, we can be sure we’ve done all we can to urge our Legislature to create a Washington where people and nature can truly thrive together.
Banner photo by Cameron Karsten
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its 2024 session. We celebrate new investments in climate resilience and the clean energy transition, while reflecting on the complex dynamics of protecting our state’s Climate Commitment Act.
The 2024 state legislative session is underway! The Nature Conservancy’s highest priority for the 2024 legislative session is ensuring the success of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). With revenue from the CCA cap-and-invest program, we have an opportunity this session to make big investments in Natural Climate Solutions, a just transition, Environmental Justice Council recommendations, and investments to attract federal climate funding.
Local elected officials and community leaders join TNC staff for a tour of the Greening Research in Tacoma (GRIT) project, to learn about opportunities to improve air quality and green infrastructure in communities overburdened by pollution.
State Legislators visit the Cle Elum Ridge to learn about about TNC’s forest health work, including prescribed fire, tree thinning, and tree mastication. State funds secured thanks to House Bill 1168 help to make wildfire resilience work possible.
Since 2016, The Nature Conservancy in Washington’s involvement in the climate advocacy space has progressively increased. Throughout this journey we’ve seen that partnerships and coalitions are one of the most powerful ways to achieve broad support for climate legislation.
The 2023 Legislative Session in Olympia saw some major achievements for nature and people: investments in improving air quality, natural climate solutions, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and better long-term resiliency planning. A big thanks to our staff who dedicated their efforts to our priorities.
Trustee Lobby Day is a highlight every year here at The Nature Conservancy. It’s a wonderful reminder of the real reason for our advocacy and policy efforts- to strengthen the relationship between people and nature so that both can thrive.
Passing a budget is one of the most important roles the State Legislature plays, as it determines how policies will be implemented and reflects what we value as a state. Our team dug into the details to see how our priorities are faring so far.
Realizing our clean energy future means rapidly transitioning to a clean, affordable, reliable, and sufficiently expansive energy grid. With HB 1216, the Washington State Legislature has the opportunity to take an important step towards that this session.
The 2023 legislative session is half-way complete - let’s check in on our priority bills, and what’s left to come.
Nestled in the mountains of the Central Cascades, the Teanaway Community Forest (50,241 acres) has been a conservation gem intended as a refuge for people as much as nature. In the past ten years, transformative restoration efforts including wildfire prevention and stream restoration have created a healthier forest that benefits people, wildlife, and the lands. There’s more work to be done.
Thirty years ago, Washington passed the Growth Management Act (GMA)—legislation that has helped communities across the state plan ahead. In the face of a changing climate, it’s become clear that the GMA also needs to be updated for our new climate realities.
In addition to building on the progress of the last few years, the 2023 state legislative session presents a momentous opportunity to invest in nature and people with the 2023-25 biennial budget.
Washington’s landmark climate law takes effect on January 1 — and you can still help shape it!
Leaders from across the region came together at the Nisqually Cultural Center for Puget Sound Day on the Sound.
Help protect King County’s best and last green spaces by voting YES on Prop 1 this November.
Speak up for cleaner air for all Washington’s communities by submitting a public comment to the Department of Ecology as they shape our new air quality program.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a big win for climate action. Here’s what it means for Washington.
The Inflation Reduction Act is on its way to President Biden’s desk, putting the U.S. on the path to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030.
Congress approved a $1.5 trillion FY2022 omnibus spending package to fund the federal government through Sept. 30. We’re pleased to see the solid investments for conservation, climate resilience, and clean energy included in this bill.
This week, the 2022 Washington state legislative session concluded, with a few notable achievements for the environment in our state. Here at The Nature Conservancy in Washington, we built off the achievements from the 2021 session by securing investments and action in key climate and conservation areas.