Recreation and Conservation Office

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs focused on creating outdoor recreation opportunities, protecting wildlife habitat, preserving working farms and forests, and helping salmon and orca recovery. Since 1964, the agency has awarded nearly $4 billion in grants to more than 12,500 projects, averaging over 450 grants for about $209 million annually. The agency supports multiple boards and offices including the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Invasive Species Council, Governor's Salmon Recovery Office, and Habitat and Recreation Lands Coordinating Group. Grant recipients have contributed over $1.8 billion in matching resources, making the total investment in Washington's outdoor spaces nearly $5.8 billion. The agency focuses on key priorities such as salmon and orca recovery, recreation and conservation, and invasive species management.