WSU Extension, in close cooperation with state and federal agencies, engages these landowners and helps them learn how to effectively manage their forestlands to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and increase economic returns.

Our educators develop and deploy strategies for reducing non-point pollution and potential contamination of Washington’s waterways.  This includes creating and implementing highly effective low-impact development strategies, reducing erosion from agricultural lands, and enhancing watershed health.    Our natural resources volunteer programs engage the public in protecting freshwater and marine waters by educating residents and visitors.  They team with researchers to collect data to help understand our ecosystems and engage in upland and coastal restoration efforts.

Global climate change creates many new and unique challenges for natural resource managers.  Snow packs will be less reliable, stream flows will be more variable, invasive species will become more prevalent, and risks from severe storms and flooding will increase.  WSU Extension in partnership with WSU’s world class environmental scientists is helping to prepare the state for the impacts of climate change while identifying opportunities for carbon sequestration and other mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.