On September 14, 2025, a brushfire erupted in south Seattle, damaging four homes and hospitalizing two people—proof that wildfire is an increasing threat to both rural and urban areas. Yet Washington’s conservation districts (CDs) saw an 83% cut in state funding for wildfire resiliency work this biennium.

For Jenny Coe, Forest Health and Community Wildfire Manager at the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC), and Heather Wendt, Deputy Director of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), growing wildfire risks, contrasted with shrinking CD funding, highlight a critical need: educating decision-makers about CDs’ vital role in wildfire resiliency.

Sustainable Funding is Key

Both Coe and Wendt agree that decision-makers need to know that unreliable funding for CDs undermines the pace and scale of wildfire resiliency.

“We need sustainable funding to make headway,” said Coe, noting that while Washington has strong state-level strategies and plans for wildfire resiliency, progress stalls when funding is unreliable and momentum fades.

Wendt added that sustainable funding not only allows CDs to build forest health and wildfire resiliency programs that communities can count on; it’s a common-sense investment.

“Economically—when we think about the cost of prevention versus having to go in and do restoration—it just makes sense to spend the time and funding up front to do the work to save lives, to save habitat,” said Wendt. “And we need sustainable funding to do that.”

The Distinct Role of Conservation Districts

So why cut CD funding for wildfire resiliency, as happened in Washington? Some legislators may assume CDs already receive support through other agencies. Others may struggle to prioritize natural resources over healthcare and education, especially amidst a budget deficit. And many simply overlook the community-based role CDs play—a role no other partner can fill.

That’s why, Coe and Wendt point out, telling stories that reflect CDs’ distinct role is essential.

“What makes conservation districts unique in this space is that they’re already part of the community,” said Wendt. “They’re trusted, and they have the expertise and availability when there’s funding to provide meaningful assistance.”

Coe illustrated that point with an example from the San Juan Islands. When a fire brigade needed a wood chipper for fuels reduction but couldn’t access funds directly, the San Juan Islands Conservation District stepped in to purchase the chipper and develop a community-use plan on their behalf.

“The District had the flexibility to support communities locally in ways a state agency couldn’t,” she recalled. “Every time the district manager was asked to help, his answer was always, ‘Yeah, we can do that.’”

Both leaders said that stories like these, told directly by landowners and local communities, are exactly what decision-makers need to hear.

Tools to Tell the Story

The SCC is submitting a supplemental budget request to restore state funding for CD wildfire resiliency work, and partners are developing tools to share stories that illustrate the need.

The SCC is co-organizing at least eight legislative field tours to connect policymakers with CD work and community beneficiaries. They also produced a one-page brief and a more detailed wildfire resiliency handout highlighting CD roles, local impacts, and testimonials.

WACD worked with a CD committee and KR Creative Strategies to launch a postcard campaign that allows community members to share how CD services have impacted them — with tailored versions for western and eastern Washington. The campaign was inspired by postcards developed by Delaware’s Association of Conservation Districts, which highlighted the importance of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding and other Farm Bill commitments. See an example of WACD’s postcard template.

Insights for All

Washington’s experience underscores a key takeaway for CDs nationwide: be proactive and consistent in elevating voices from communities who benefit from CD wildfire services.

Coe encouraged CDs to cultivate a “storytelling mindset” in daily work.

“When you’re in the field, think about how to capture the value of the service you’re providing. If we don’t have good materials to tell our story, it makes it difficult.”

“We can’t rest on our laurels,” added Wendt. “One-time funding is not sufficient to build sustainable programs. Conservation districts have to communicate the need consistently and vigorously.”