Washington’s tribal government leaders are building a better future for all of us by investing in public safety, education, and jobs.

Environment

Tribal environmental planning and natural resource programs play a critical role in efforts to restore and protect important cultural and natural resources. Tribes conduct a range of activities across Washington's watersheds and strive to solve problems at the ecosystem level. Their work includes watershed planning, water quality programs, environmental education, environmental assessments, salmon recovery programs and more.

For more information on tribal investments, please visit our Resources page.

Examples include:

Young Coho salmon are being reared at the Stillaguamish Tribe hatchery as part of a nationally recognized project to restore wild Chinook and Coho salmon runs.
The Chehalis Confederated Tribe’s Water Resource Department plays an important role in protecting and improving the Chehalis watershed, the second largest in the state.
The Stillaguamish Tribe raises native plants (BankSavers Nursery) to restore and protect habitat along rivers and streams.
Nisqually Indian Tribe is working with the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and others to restore the Nisqually Estuary.
The Makah Tribe invests a significant portion of its tribal government budget for fisheries and natural resource enhancement projects.
The Swinomish Indian Tribe’s Environmental Education Program reaches out to groups such as the La Conner schools, Swinomish Daycare, Swinomish Birth-to-Six, Swinomish Recreation, and La Conner Boys and Girls Club to share information about water quality and other environmental issues.
The Colville Tribe donated $108,000 to keep the Washington state Colville Fish Hatchery operational in 2009-2010. Each year, the hatchery raises about 409,000 trout and kokanee fry.
The Yakama Tribe established Yakama Forest Products to sustainably manage and harvest 309,000 commercial acres of saw log timber on the Yakama Reservation along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range.
The Quinault Tribe is contributing to the clean-up efforts of marine debris in Gray’s Harbor being lead by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Spokane Tribal Hatchery annually produces kokanee salmon and rainbow trout for release into Lake Roosevelt, Banks Lake and reservation inland lakes.
The Tulalip Tribe partners with national Forest Service to protect and conserve the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest.
The Upper Skagit Tribe established the Hanson Creek project to restore salmon habitat, protect downstream agriculture and increase floodwater storage in the area.