North Puget Sound Regional Engagement Committee

March 2026 update: Unfortunately, due to recent state budget forecasts, WDFW is evaluating staff and regional director capacity to establish and support the pilot Regional Engagement Committees (RECs). Effective immediately, we are pausing the process to establish RECs. We plan to re-evaluate in summer 2025 after state budgets for the 2025-2027 biennium are established.

In line with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s 25-Year Strategic Plan, Strategy #2 “Engage communities through recreation and stewardship,” we are establishing Regional Engagement Committees (RECs) to represent the diversity of local interests and incorporate their perspectives in WDFW’s regional conservation efforts.

More background information is available in our October 2024 news release (en español).

This Regional Engagement Committee supports WDFW's North Puget Sound Region (Region 4) including Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties and more than 3.5 million residents.

RECs serve to:

Provide information, ideas, and identify emerging trends in a welcoming forum.
Enhance awareness and understanding of REC members on local conservation topics, so they are well-suited to act as ambassadors to the broader public and their communities.
Seek early and frequent input from diverse interests and experiences to address regional opportunities and challenges and facilitate collaborative dialogue about how WDFW can influence regional fish, wildlife, habitat, and lands conservation issues as well as fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities.
Offer opportunities for public input and interaction with the RMT and Fish and Wildlife commissioners.
Solicit regional input on certain statewide policy initiatives.
Showcase regional science and fish and wildlife projects to local communities.
Direct the public to appropriate venues for problem-solving.

At the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we celebrate diverse individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. All are welcome to participate in our processes regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.

Contacts and member info

Guidelines

Regional Engagement Committee Application Form (PDF)

WDFW Advisory Group Handbook (PDF)

Contacts

Chase Gunnell
Communications Manager
chase.gunnell@dfw.wa.gov
360-704-0258

Brendan Brokes
Regional Director
brendan.brokes@dfw.wa.gov

Mission statement

Mission

The RECs serve as a forum to provide diverse input to regional directors (RDs) and Regional Management Teams (RMTs) on matters pertaining to the Department’s work within each region. The Department is piloting RECs in two regions in 2025, Region 2 (North Central) and Region 4 (North Puget Sound).

Vision

RECs will foster new relationships with diverse communities and strengthen established connections, supporting engagement and collaboration within local communities. By facilitating an ongoing exchange of information and ideas about regional fish and wildlife conservation challenges and opportunities, RECs will help WDFW make better decisions through enhanced public participation. RECs will seek to minimize redundancy with other existing WDFW Advisory Groups and committees, including Wildlife Area Advisory Committees.

Additional information

Quarterly meetings will begin in 2025. Meetings will be a mix of in-person at WDFW’s regional headquarters or other locations within each region, with opportunities for hybrid meetings.

Each REC will consist of no more than 15 members, who are appointed to two-year terms for up to five terms maximum. There will not be alternates or proxies on the membership roster. Applicants to the REC may be considered annually to fill vacancies and appropriately represent regional constituencies.

REC candidates may be interested individuals or affiliated representatives of clubs, groups, businesses, associations, or other non-governmental organizations.

Official representatives of government agencies and recognized tribal governments are subject to separate government-to-government consultation. These entities may engage with the REC but will not be considered for membership as there are other opportunities and obligations for intergovernmental coordination.

Candidates will be reviewed and selected by Regional Management Teams based on the following criteria:

Interest in engaging and advising on fish, wildlife, and ecosystem issues in Washington related to WDFW’s mission and legal mandate, particularly local and regional topics.
Experience collaborating respectfully with people who may have different or conflicting backgrounds, perspectives, interests, or priorities.
Commitment to attending at least six meetings lasting three hours each over the two-year appointment. Meetings will be held quarterly with a hybrid in-person/virtual format.
Community connectivity and representation; candidate strives to share their identified community’s perspectives as objectively as possible, while acknowledging that one person cannot represent a whole group.
Ability to communicate about WDFW issues and work with their community, audience, or peers, including reporting out on REC priorities and outcomes as appropriate.
Willingness to learn and openness to new information and differences in ideas.
Displays high connectivity to their identified community, with a deep understanding of community issues and a strong ability to represent diverse community perspectives effectively.

Code of Conduct for REC members:

Adhere to all meeting ground rules as described below.
Attend all meetings, but if extenuating circumstances occur, notify WDFW staff in advance of absence.
Be curious and open to learning.
Show respect and suspend judgement.
Be purposeful and to the point.
Balance advocacy and inquiry.
Be authentic and welcome that from others.
Be an ambassador and carry messages, resources, and actions to your identified communities.

Compensation and reimbursements available

Advisory groups are a unique opportunity for people to share their knowledge and expertise with the Department. To reduce barriers for people to engage, WDFW offers compensation for advisory group members’ time and reimbursements for childcare, adult care, lodging, meals, and mileage. WDFW is following guidelines from the Office of Equity for advisory group compensation and reimbursements. 

Washington residents who serve on advisory groups in a professional role and are otherwise compensated for their involvement are not eligible for compensation. Reimbursement rates are available on the Office of Financial Management’s website. Compensation rates range from $45 for one hour to $200 maximum per day.

All members of the public are invited to apply regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

Those interested in joining are also encouraged to review the WDFW Advisory Member Handbook (PDF) (PDF) and advisory groups and committees webpage for background information.