See how your vote is creating healthy forests and new trails thanks to the Climate Commitment Act

One year ago, Washington residents voted to defend the Climate Commitment Act, originally passed in 2021. WTA joined a coalition of over 500 organizations that asked you and others to protect climate progress by defending this act on your ballots last November. Now, we’d like to celebrate how this act is benefiting lands in Washington state and the people who enjoy them.

Washington’s Climate Commitment Act is funding projects in every county in Washington to improve the health of our air, water and forests. Graphic courtesy of Clean & Prosperous Institute.   

The Climate Commitment Act touches every part of Washington state by protecting our climate. It reduces carbon pollution through a cap and invest program, which also generates funding for restoration and mitigation projects. New this year, you can see a map of projects across the state made possible by funds generated from the Climate Commitment Act. 

Ninety-five percent of funds have already been put to work on projects, touching every county in our state. There are 2,700 projects to date to protect lands and waters, improve forest health, support local economies and increase opportunities to get outside. 

Climate Commitment Act funds are purchasing lands to protect forest health, build new trails and produce timber. Photo by trip reporter KatieJM. 

Here are a few highlights of projects funded by the Climate Commitment Act, thanks to voters like you:

• $2.5 million to expand Hoquiam Community Forest, purchasing over 400 acres along the Little Hoquiam River and in the Fry Creek watershed. With this new land, the city of Hoquiam can expand its walking and hiking trails, including new access to the riverfront. 
• Adding nearly 100 acres each to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and West Tiger Natural Resource Conservation Areas, protecting forests adjacent to popular hiking trails. 
• Protecting over 2,000 acres of forest near Olympia and Capitol State Forest from development. This move will keep these lands producing local timber and also allow for wildlife to travel between the Cascade and Olympic mountains.  

Our state wouldn’t have a Climate Commitment Act without the work of lawmakers, businesses, nonprofits and people like you. 

Want to know the next time you can use your vote, or your voice, for public lands and trails? Join WTA’s Trail Action Network and help us achieve the next big win.