The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban restricting the use of outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection, including all Washington State Parks, through Sept. 30, 2024. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions. For more information, visit our Alerts page.
Learn about the scope, duties and work of the Washington State Parks Stewardship Program
The Stewardship Program is charged with conserving and protecting the unique, yet vulnerable, natural and cultural heritage preserved within Washington's diverse state park system, while providing sustainable recreational and educational opportunities for current and future generations.
Duties
The program is guided by an interdisciplinary team providing statewide technical support and leadership in the preservation of historic sites structures and artifacts, as well as sustainable management of natural resources.
Current activities
The Stewardship Program is currently involved in a variety of resource management activities that address forest health issues, preserving vulnerable historic structures, improving state park sustainability practices, and more.
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Washington State Parks recently contracted with the Climate Impacts Group to conduct a climate change vulnerability assessment. The study, which is a first step in developing an agency climate change adaptation plan, identifies climate trends which are already impacting state park operations and highlights programmatic areas likely to be impacted.
Preparing Washington State Parks for Climate Change resource documents
The diverse resources within the Washington state parks system offer a variety of research opportunities. Conducting research in a Washington state park requires a research permit. To conduct research, survey, or collect any natural resource at a Washington state park, you must complete and submit the scientific research permit application.
Visit the Scientific Research Permit page