Host: Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Region: Washington
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation (e.g., sea level rise planning, environmental justice, climate migration planning), Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation / Biodiversity Protection
Skills Needed: Community Engagement, Research, Community Outreach, Environmental Justice,

Remote or On-Site Placement

On-site

Service Needs & Plans

The Aquatic Reserves Program at WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently responsible for managing 90,000 acres of aquatic lands to promote the preservation, restoration and enhancement of native aquatic habitats and species. Environmental education and outreach are important aspects in managing the reserves, including specific goals to engage local communities through stewardship, community science, and collaborative partnerships. Unfortunately, this vital community effort is often dependent on variable funding sources and intermittent leadership, leading to gaps in local engagement and a shifting tendency to passive management. It is also logistically challenging to maintain stewardship groups across all 8 state reserves, with accompanying monitoring and outreach events supported by a limited Program staff. This position will ultimately reside at the intersection of habitat conservation and community resilience, championing environmental justice goals by preserving access to and representation in our state protected lands.

Project Description

This project will address these challenges by crafting a new/updated outreach and engagement strategy for the Aquatic Reserves Program, one that can be sustainably implemented across the entire reserve network and will integrate goals of environmental justice and equity in community participation. It will also serve as a guide for the existing framework, building support with stewardship groups and nature centers to streamline the updated engagement process. Finally, this project will facilitate collaboration among community partners, Program staff and local stakeholders to leverage existing support for outreach and environmental education in line with DNR’s current Strategic Plan and Washington’s Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL). In this role, the fellow will initially research and survey the current outreach framework, working with Program staff, DNR outreach specialists and stewardship coordinators to identify where engagement gaps exist in the current model. This will also involve meeting with community stewardship groups, resource committees and nature centers that operate within the reserve network to seek input for the new strategy. Finally, the fellow will work closely with DNR’s Environmental Justice Council to implement a flagship outreach program for the division that can serve as a template for future endeavors.

By the end of the term, this project should result in a report describing the gaps in the existing framework along several metrics, including implementation effectiveness, alignment with stewardship goals and environmental justice/equity in community participation. This project should also integrate the findings across the aquatic reserve network and suggest recommendations for more effectively and equitably engaging communities, resulting in an updated Community Engagement and Outreach Plan. Depending on the results, this may involve strengthening the existing network by including more partnerships or developing a new framework to reach and connect with local communities around reserve stewardship. Implementing this plan will be beyond the scope of the project term, but strengthening existing relationships across the network will be an inevitable goal of the project. Completing this project will create an agency template for engaging communities in conserving public lands, increasing representation and participation in their stewardship. It will also lay out a path to implementing a more robust community network across all reserves, building sustainable participation that ties management and voluntary stewardship to the same goals and helps overcome the volatile threats to funding and staff levels. Ultimately, a network-wide vision will contribute to the community resilience across all reserves, enabling partnerships that prioritize habitat conservation and biodiversity protection in their public lands.

Desired Skills

Besides skills related to community engagement and environmental justice, we would like this fellow to be familiar with the tribal landscape in Washington and the Northwest in general. All the aquatic lands managed by the Aquatic Reserves Program were traditionally inhabited and used by various tribes, and we want to continue to support tribal engagement and sovereignty in crafting an outreach strategy. Literacy in their history and status is vital to successfully facilitating their inclusion in stewardship conversations.

Organization & Workplace Highlights

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to sustainable management and protection of the state’s natural resources. Our agency fosters a workplace culture emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and respect for our environment. We prioritize a supportive and inclusive environment where every employee is valued. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is demonstrated through various initiatives, including ongoing training, policy reviews, and active efforts to create a workplace where all employees can thrive. Serving with DNR not only allows you to contribute to these important initiatives but also offers numerous professional development opportunities. These projects enhance project management and problem-solving skills and provide valuable experience in resource management and policy implementation, paving the way for your career growth and success.

Community Highlights

DNR serves diverse communities across Washington State, from coastal regions to inland forests. As a state agency, DNR serves Washington citizens across the state, with regional offices concentrated in larger urban areas. These areas are known for their natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant communities. Washington State is an interesting place to live and work, offering a mix of urban and rural experiences, thriving art scenes, and numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and exploring natural parks. This diverse environment offers one a chance to immerse oneself in varied cultural experiences and contribute meaningfully to conserving and managing natural resources.

The Aquatic Reserves Program manages aquatic lands that span much of western Washington, specifically the Puget Sound area from Bellingham to Olympia and a rural freshwater lake southeast of Olympia.

This fellow will be based out of Olympia, which is home to many state agencies including DNR. It sits at the south end of Puget Sound, and boasts easy access to water, mountains and the coast. It is also a convenient launching pad for accessing the communities associated with reserves in Puget Sound as well as Lake Kapowsin—all of which are located within a 3-hour drive from Olympia. These communities are varied in both their approach to stewardship and their level of engagement with reserve management. For instance, some areas have high representation around civic issues, while others focus on conducting community science through their local nature centers. Overall, there is a rich social structure to tap into both around Olympia and the greater Puget Sound region.