Program on the Environment

I created a report on the status of state land stewardship as performed by Washington’s natural resource agencies. The goal was to comprehensively evaluate each agency’s efficiency and effectiveness in their land management practices, so as to combat recent legislative opinion that agencies are insufficiently managing their properties. I also conducted extensive literature review on the benefits of volunteer participation in stewardship and restoration activities, finding that expansion of volunteer programs allows for efficient use of limited funds and staffing, improved community building, and greater connection with the landscape. Overall, expanding volunteer programs can drastically improve stewardship efforts for all natural resource agencies—not just those within Washington State.