Washington Bee Atlas finds 17 new state bee records; rediscovers 12 species last recorded in the state as long as 144 years ago
More trained volunteers, land access needed
OLYMPIA – After wrapping up its second full year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Washington Bee Atlas (WABA) has collected and identified records of nearly 30 new or rare bee species in the state. Seventeen species were new state records* — meaning they are the first known records of finding the bee in Washington. WABA also found 12 species which had not been recorded in the state for at least 50 years, one of which was most recently recorded in the state in 1882.
WABA volunteers collected the new and rare…
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03/17/2026
More trained volunteers, land access needed
OLYMPIA – After wrapping up its second full year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Washington Bee Atlas (WABA) has collected and identified records of nearly 30 new or rare bee species in the state. Seventeen species were new state records* — meaning they are the first known records of finding the bee in Washington. WABA also found 12 species which had not been recorded in the state for at least 50 years, one of which was most recently recorded in the state in 1882.
WABA volunteers collected the new and rare…
03/17/2026
The cabins at Camano Island State Park are located in a beautiful forest setting with peek-a-boo views of Saratoga Passage.
OLYMPIA — March 17, 2026 — The Washington State Parks system is older than the National Parks system and stewards 122,000 acres of land in every corner of the state. Many of the icons that signify place in Washington can be found in a state park – the Deception Pass bridge, the state waterfall at Palouse Falls, orca off the point at Lime Kiln and so much more.
State parks are beloved by residents and travelers alike. They see…
03/13/2026
Index resident Chris Henson on a climb at the Lower Town Wall called "Thin Fingers." Photo by Ben Gilkison
OLYMPIA — In early March, the Washington Climbers Coalition, a rock climbing advocacy group, donated 20 acres that include some of the state’s finest rock climbs to Washington State Parks.
This donation caps over twenty years of conservation and public access efforts focused on the Lower Town Wall, a granite crag near Index, Wash. Washington State Parks has agreed to manage the property as a climbing park in order to forever preserve public…
03/02/2026
Beebe Bridge State Park has 46 campsites for RVs and tents. Photo courtesy of Chelan PUD
CHELAN — Washington State Parks has officially taken over management of campground and day-use shelter bookings for Beebe Bridge State Park. This shift aims to streamline the reservation process and integrate the Chelan-area park into State Parks’ booking system.
Visitors can begin making their campsite and day-use shelter reservations on Wednesday, March 4 at 8 a.m. for the 2026 season, which runs from April 15 to Oct. 15. Reservations can be made online at…
02/27/2026
GOLDENDALE — Lunar eclipses are among the most anticipated celestial events at Goldendale Observatory State Park, and 2026 will bring two remarkable opportunities for skywatchers across the Pacific Northwest.
A total lunar eclipse will occur early Tuesday morning on March 3. The eclipse will begin at 12:44 a.m. and conclude at 6:23 a.m., with maximum eclipse at 3:33 a.m.
The observatory will open for drop-in visitors from 1 to 6 a.m. Visitors will have a chance to view the eclipsed…
02/19/2026
The parcel, known as the Yockey Property, brings the agency one step closer to completing a public trail around the entire lake. Photo courtesy of TPL
WINTHROP — In partnership with Trust for Public Land, Washington State Parks has officially acquired a 25-acre parcel of land on Pearrygin Lake in the Methow Valley.
The parcel, known as the Yockey Property, brings the agency one step closer to completing a public trail around the entire lake.
State Parks applied for a grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program in 2024 to acquire the…
02/11/2026
PORT ORCHARD — After gathering key insights from the community at its first public meeting, Washington State Parks is excited to invite park enthusiasts to explore four proposals for future planning and development at Blake Island Marine State Park.
State Parks will host its second public meeting on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Port Orchard Branch of the Kitsap Regional Library. The meeting will highlight the common themes and takeaways staff received through survey results and from the first public meeting held last September.
For those who are interested but unable to attend, a…
01/22/2026
WENATCHEE – This spring, Washington State Parks will take over management of the Beebe Bridge Park campground reservation system, consistent with several other parks along the Columbia River, including Wenatchee Confluence, Daroga and Lincoln Rock state parks. The state’s user-friendly, online reservation system allows campers to easily schedule sites statewide months in advance.
“We’ve had a successful partnership with Washington State Parks for many years, and this transition ensures we continue to offer many benefits to parks visitors,” said Chelan PUD Parks Manager Ryan Baker.
“We’re…
01/21/2026
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular commission meeting on Jan. 29 at its headquarters in Lacey.
The public is welcome to attend in-person or online.
Agenda items include:
Adoption of the Commission’s rules and procedures
Adoption of the 2026 Director’s Performance Agreement
Approval to sign a Letter of Agreement to subdivide a leased parcel at Saint Edward State Park
Approval of the agency’s 2027-29 grant requests to be applied for through the Washington State Recreation…
01/20/2026
Alexander’s Castle, a one bedroom rental home available on the historic Fort Worden campus, is the oldest building preserved in the park.
PORT TOWNSEND — After a day spotting whales from the sandy beaches of Admiralty Inlet and exploring the gun batteries that make up the “Triangle of Fire,” spend the night in a historic residence on the Fort Worden Historical State Park campus this summer.
Washington State Parks will offer lodging accommodations in several historic buildings for the 2026 season, from April 1 through Oct. 31.…