WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – A local forestry organization is getting help to offset the impacts of wildfires and drought.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is handing out $425,000 in grant money to organizations across the state to increase health and resilience of forests.
The Darrington Collaborative organization, which works in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, will receive $50,000 of the funds.
The grant is funded by a bill passed this year by the state legislature to speed up forest restoration and prepare for wildfires.
Organizations must use the money to hire additional staff, support treatment planning, and for public outreach and education.
DNR lands east of the Cascades reopen to public access on Thursday, September 16th.
They were closed in July because of extreme heat, drought, wildfire danger and large fires burning across the West.
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said in a news release that conditions have improved dramatically.
A statewide burn ban remains in effect until September 30th.