Safeguarding Washington's Fish and Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change

• Glick, P., L. Helbrecht, J. Lawler, and M. Case
• Sep 11, 2013

A Case Study of Partnerships in Action

Fish and wildlife are at the heart of Washington State’s rich ecological, economic, and cultural heritage. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that climate change is already having a significant impact on natural systems across the region, and further changes are likely in the coming decades. Recognizing these challenges, the National Wildlife Federation and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have been collaborating on an effort to address climate change in its mission to safeguard the state’s wildlife and natural habitats for current and future generations. This report is intended to serve as a case study for ways in which state agencies and NGOs can work together to forward meaningful climate change adaptation strategies, and it highlights several of WDFW and NWF’s collective efforts to date, including the successes, lessons learned, and opportunities for moving forward.