Audubon Washington is gearing up for a pivotal legislative session in 2025, focusing on policy priorities that reflect our commitment to protecting habitat for birds and addressing climate change. Through our conservation strategies—Coasts, Working Lands, and Climate—we are leading efforts to advocate for birds and people in a changing climate. 

As part of our Climate strategy, we are championing the Build Ready Clean Energy Program (BRCEP), an initiative that seeks to “flip the model” for siting, permitting, and building renewable energy in Washington state. BRCEP seeks to foster partnerships with Tribal Nations, state government, and local communities to ensure that clean energy projects respect tribal sovereignty and integrate community benefits. The program aims to streamline project development by identifying and preparing pre-permitted sites, balancing Washington's clean energy goals with habitat- and species-recovery goals. 

In our Working Lands program, we’re spearheading the creation of a new Shrubsteppe Conservation Grant Program, which will support the restoration and protection of Washington’s critical shrub-steppe ecosystem. This program will offer competitive state-managed grants for conservation easements and, where applicable, land acquisitions by tribes and local land trusts. In alignment with the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resilience Initiative (WSRRI), this new program will prioritize biodiversity, habitat connectivity, and stakeholder collaboration, including with Tribal Nations, local communities, and private landowners. 

Audubon Washington’s Coasts policy priority is still under development, but efforts will be focused on improving permit transparency and enhancing contractor accountability to support shoreline health and the removal of hard armoring.  

As we look toward 2025, our legislative priorities are designed to meet the moment in addressing Washington’s most pressing conservation challenges. To succeed, we’ll need bird- and nature-lovers across the state to join us in advocating for these bold, forward-thinking solutions that protect our landscapes, wildlife, and communities for generations to come. Join our Action Network today.