Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The department operates under a dual mandate from the Washington Legislature to: - Protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats. - Provide sustainable, fish- and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities. - Department policy is guided by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission composed of nine citizen members appointed by the Governor. Department operations are led by a Director and an Executive Management Team. The Director is appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. HISTORY A Brief History of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife March 1890 - The first Fish Commissioner was James Crawford, appointed by Governor Elisha Ferry 1891 - State Legislature appropriated funds for a salmon hatchery. 1895 - The first salmon hatchery was built and dedicated in 1895 on the Kalama River. 1915 - Legislature passed a new Game and Game-Fish Code that provided for a Chief Game Warden and a Fish Commissioner both managed under Chief Game Warden L. H. Darwin, Department of Fish and Game 1921 - Legislature abolished the Fish Commission and replaced it with a Department of Fisheries with a Division of Fisheries and a Division of Game and Game Fish. 1932 - An initiative separated food fish and game fish and created a Department of Fisheries (food fish) under an appointed Director and a Department of Game (game fish) under a six member commission. 1987 - Legislature changed Department of Game, with a Commission-appointed director, to Department of Wildlife with a Director appointed by the Governor. 1994 - Legislature merged Department of Wildlife and Department of Fisheries, creating Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). WDFW has a 9-member Commission and the WDFW Director is appointed by the Commission. OUR MISSION To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. VISION Conservation of Washington’s fish and wildlife resources and ecosystems. WDFW defines “Conservation” as: Protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them; including management of human use for public benefit and sustainable social and economic needs. (Adapted from The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2005) GOALS To achieve its mission, WDFW will continue to focus its activities on the following four goals: Goal 1: Conserve and protect native fish and wildlife Goal 2: Provide sustainable fishing, hunting, and other wildlife-related recreational and commercial experiences Goal 3: Promote a healthy economy, protect community character, maintain an overall high quality of life, and deliver high-quality customer service Goal 4: Build an effective and efficient organization by supporting our workforce, improving business processes, and investing in technology