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Technical Assistance
Besides the technical assistance programs offered by the Conservation Districts, WSU Cooperative Extension and others, some local governments engage in non-compensatory restoration and enhancement projects and community stewardship programs.
Restoration and enhancement projects
Some counties engage in non-compensatory restoration and enhancement projects. Often used for wetlands, the lands chosen are usually important areas for flood attenuation, water quality enhancement, or salmon recovery and are identified in existing management plans or watershed inventories.
Often the local public works departments or parks departments spearhead these large-scale projects to return wetland and biodiversity benefits to the watershed and correct costly engineering problems facing the community.
If a landowner has a larger-sized, degraded site that can address watershed problems, the local government may be interested in becoming involved. Check local floodplain and land use management plans for identification of problem areas, and contact the local public works or planning department to determine their interest in working on the project.
Community stewardship programs
Many counties and cities have active community stewardship programs, such as Stream Teams, Adopt-A-Park groups, and others. These programs enlist volunteers to help address wildlife habitat and water quality issues. Volunteers may work on monitoring, eradicating noxious weeds, revegetating areas, improving salmon habitat, etc.
Local parks departments and public works departments will have more details.
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