Washington Wildlife First

Learn more about us at www.wawildlifefirst.org.

GiveBIG to the only nonprofit focused on protecting all Washington’s fish and wildlife

Our wildlife is under attack, and Washington Wildlife First is uniquely situated to respond.

In just the first 100 days of his second term, President Trump has already taken steps to gut protections for species and habitats, weaken the Endangered Species Act, slash wildlife and marine preserves, ramp up logging on federal land, and open public lands to oil, gas, and mineral extraction. 

As federal protections disappear, it will be up to the states to defend their wildlife. Unfortunately, in Washington, we are reverting to the day when the unquestioned goals of state wildlife policy were to “maximize” hunting and fishing and “control” wildlife to benefit commercial interests.

Soon after taking office, Governor Bob Ferguson rescinded former Governor Inslee’s appointments to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission, the group that controls state fish and wildlife policy. Ferguson abruptly fired Commissioner Dr. Tim Ragen, the former head of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and a preeminent scientist who has devoted his career to the protection and recovery vulnerable species. The governor turned a deaf ear to pleas to reinstate Ragen from thousands of Washingtonians, dozens of advocacy groups, and marine experts from around the world, who told him that Dr. Ragen was the last best hope for saving our Southern Resident orcas.

Instead, our new governor chose to pander to the entrenched special interests that have long dictated state wildlife policy. He reappointed two commissioners with unblemished records of elevating commercial and recreational exploitation over wildlife protection. And he returned the commission to the control of hunters—who comprise less than 3% of the state population but now hold a majority of commission seats. Now we are facing a new battle to prevent the dismantling of past progress, such as a reversal of last year’s vote to preserve state protections for wolves, a return to unsustainable carnivore hunting, and the revival of spring bear hunt.

Washington Wildlife First is ready for action. Our goal is comprehensive wildlife reform, to ensure that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is fulfilling its mandate to “protect, preserve, and perpetuate” Washington’s fish and wildlife. But, we are a small organization going toe-to-toe with powerful national special interests, including the NRA, HOWL for Wildlife, and Safari Club International, and we need to have you beside us.

Although we are small, we are strategic and effective. We are also unique. We prioritize action over fundraising. We are the only group focused on Washington wildlife policy. We advocate not just for species preservation, but for respecting the intrinsic value of individual animals. And we go where other groups won’t and take on the tough fights that other groups avoid.

Now more than ever, we need your help to ramp up our fight to protect wildlife—in the courts, at the commission, and before the legislature. Together, we can rise to meet this moment—stronger, louder, and more united than ever—because Washington’s wild lives have nowhere else to turn.

Please join us in our battle to protect Washington's wild lives by signing up to learn more, emailing us to volunteer, and making a GiveBig donation.