Helping native plants thrive at the lake highkey passes the vibe check 🌿✨ Our kayak crews at Deep Lake in Millersylvania State Park are teaming up with Thurston County’s Noxious Weed Program and WA State Parks to remove invasive delta arrowhead and protect the lake’s ecosystem. 🚣

That’s a wrap on our 2026 Organics Summits! 🌱 Over the past two months, we’ve been visiting each region of the state to discuss how food, yard, and other organic waste is impacting their communities and how to improve managing and reducing it. Who attended?

We heard the internet loves fan edits. Did we do it right? 🔥 It's important to be #SmokeReady during wildfire season, and making a clean air fan is a cheap and easy way to keep your indoor air clean. All you need is a box fan, furnace filter, and bungee cord!

It’s #SmokeReady Week — time to learn about staying safe during the wildfire season! But don’t take it from us… listen to the wisdom of Ecology’s furry friends! 🐾

Kevin vuelve a la acción con otro recordatorio importante: ¡asegura tu carga para tener carreteras más seguras! 🫡 Cada año, los objetos que caen de los vehículos provocan más de 300 accidentes de tráfico y representan casi el 40% de la basura en las carreteras.

Kevin is back at it again with another important reminder: Secure your load for safer roads! 🫡 Each year, items falling from vehicles cause over 300 traffic crashes and account for nearly 40% of roadside litter. Securing your load is an easy way to protect other drivers and prevent litter.

Flags are lowered starting today as we grieve with the Longview community. Today, there is a celebration of life for Gilbert Bernal. One friend called him "one of the best people I have ever met." My prayers are with his loved ones gathering today.

Our thoughts are with the families of those that lost their lives in Longview this week. Earlier today, responders recovered the final missing individual. @governorferguson.bsky.social has directed flags to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, May 31, in their memory.

Incident Command for the Nippon Dynawave industrial incident in Longview will hold another news conference at 3:30 p.m. today to provide more updates on the emergency response. Watch here: tvw.org/video/joint-...

Incident Command for the Nippon Dynawave industrial incident in Longview will hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. today to provide updates on the emergency response. Watch - www.tvw.org/watch/?clien... You can also find the latest updates & info on the incident at ecology.wa.gov/nippondynawave

I want the public to know the extent of the coordination that's going on between the local, state, and federal government regarding the tank failure in Longview. Everybody is working very hard together in full cooperation to help us get through this challenging time. At the state level...

On my way to Longview to meet with local responders and officials. Continued prayers for those impacted by this tragedy.

I just met with leaders at key state agencies tracking the latest on the Longview explosion. Ecology and L&I have teams are on the scene. Washington State Emergency Management is in constant communication with local responders. I directed our National Guard teams on alert.

What goes into declaring a drought? While drought in WA has a legal definition, there are a lot of measurements, models & analysis behind it. Our latest blog explores the science behind our drought declarations & invites you to look at the data yourself. Read more: ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-202...

If you’re heading out on the water this weekend, remember this: pump out, don’t dump out! 🚤 Puget Sound is a No Discharge Zone, which means boaters need to always pump out their sewage at a pumpout station. Plan ahead, and pump out before you head out. Find pumpouts near you: pumpoutwashington.org

We’re celebrating 50 years of our Ecology Litter Corps, so Kevin broke out our old photo albums…and yes, we’re definitely crying. 🥹 Cheers to our crews, past and present, and thank you for all your hard work and dedication! 🎉 #LitterFreeWA @wsdot.wa.gov

Planning a beach trip this summer? Check out our safe swimming map! We are sampling 46 marine beaches for fecal bacteria this summer, and we close beaches or issue warning advisories when bacteria levels are high. Learn how to check your beach status and avoid illness: ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-202...

We continue making history! The Hanford Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) has reached a major commissioning milestone! More than 100,000 gallons of Hanford waste have been vitrified (solidified into glass). We continue to be committed to our mission of protecting and preserving our environment.

On May 15, 1989 the signing of the Tri-Party Agreement occurred between our agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This landmark agreement has guided cleanup for the last 37 years at Hanford! #OnThisDay ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics...

May is American Wetlands Month 🌾 And our field crews are out gathering data at 26 different wetlands sites in WA — part of a national survey about overall wetland health. The data we collect now will help us better protect these invaluable resources for years to come. ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-202...

Historic day for WA: @mayorofseattle.bsky.social signed a settlement on Seattle’s Skagit hydroelectric dams. Together we’ll restore the Skagit ecosystem, reduce flood risks & preserve clean energy for millions of people. This is what we can achieve when we strive for a future we're all part of.

If you visited this neighborhood in Ridgefield during the last 10 years, you would have seen cleanup crews and landscapers digging up dozens of yards and putting them back together. Why? To remove toxic contamination, and make it safe for families and pets to enjoy their yards again.

Healthy garden maxxing isn’t just a trend, it’s a lifestyle 🌱 With garden season in full swing, it’s important to know what’s in your soil. Some areas in Washington have traces of historic chemical contamination, and using safe gardening practices can help limit your exposure.

We have a new Community Engagement Plan! At Ecology, we work to make sure everyone in WA lives in a clean and healthy environment. This new plan describes how we engage with communities, making sure they have a voice in agency actions and decisions that impact them: ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-202...

Great news for the Spokane area! Our new grant program is investing nearly $595,000 to reduce toxics in the Spokane River Basin. These locally led projects will help create cleaner water and healthier communities through technical assistance, monitoring and research, and education and outreach.

There’s still time for school districts to apply for an electric school bus grant! 🚌 This grant doesn’t just support new bus purchases — it can also fund infrastructure upgrades, mechanic training, or even turn a school bus into a backup power supply for school buildings. Apply by June 4!

📢 Introducing our 2026-27 Leadership Team!‬ 🌎 @governorferguson.bsky.social 🌎 @mattmeyerde.bsky.social 🌎 @tinakotek.bsky.social 🌎 @governor.ca.gov 🌎 @governor.ny.gov More ➡️ usclimatealliance.org/press-releas...

We have some of the best water supply in the nation because the generations before us had the foresight to protect it — but climate change is jeopardizing that. We need to work together now to plan for the future.

Washington’s Water Future is focused on helping our state prepare for growing water challenges. We'll be leading statewide conversations with local governments, Tribes, and many other community partners to build a more resilient water future, together. Read more: governor.wa.gov/news/2026/go...

Parents, not to worry. Teens are just really excited about International Compost Awareness Week, and so are we! 🌱

Why is smoke so bad for you? 🤔 This week is Air Quality Awareness Week – the perfect time to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from air pollution. Check out our blog to learn more: ecology.wa.gov/blog/may-202...

Washington just made it easier for businesses to save on clean transportation. Learn more about the new Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program (WAZIP) launched by @governorferguson.bsky.social ⬇️ www.king5.com/article/news...

Doesn’t the Arctic sand star, Leptychaster arcticus, sound like a creature you would find on the planet Tatooine? This deep-sea-dwelling critter may be even more of a hermit than Obi-Wan Kenobi, but that won't keep us from digging into what makes it a force of nature in sediment communities.

The Yakima Basin is entering its fourth straight year of drought, and we want surface water users in the basin to be prepared. We’re launching a new resource where users can see how current or upcoming restrictions may affect their water use. Read more: ecology.wa.gov/es-es/blog/m...

Washington has a plan to lower energy costs & build a more reliable future. The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan outlines how we will reduce pollution, expand clean energy & support communities. It could also save the state nearly $17B by 2050. deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/bo1ly7ol0l...

This morning, applications opened for the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program, or WAZIP. We’re investing $112 million to make the purchase of cleaner commercial vehicles and equipment more affordable for a wide range of companies — big and small — across the state.

Washington’s water connects us all💧Thank you to all the individuals, groups, and partners who provided feedback and helped complete our new tools for clean water solutions! Our updated Nonpoint Plan and Voluntary Guidance for Agriculture recommend actions people can take to keep water clean.

More great climate news is coming out of Washington! WAZIP is one of the Climate Commitment Act’s single largest investments to date. With $112 million in funding, @wsdot.wa.gov and CALSTART are putting the transition to clean trucks within reach.

For the last 4 years, we’ve helped our NextCycle WA teams take their recycling, reuse, repair projects to the next level. The program culminates in a Pitch Showcase event where teams present their projects and compete for awards to an audience of Earth-conscious innovators, partners, and investors.

If your litter makes it all the way into the bin, that’s a home run ⚾ We’re teaming up with Tri-City Dust Devils for a night of fun at the ballpark on Wednesday, April 29. Stop by our booth to grab a free car litter bag and learn more about keeping Washington litter free! LitterFreeWA.org

Washington is steadily cutting carbon pollution and putting in the work to meet the state’s emission limits.

Washington has always been a leader in climate action, and the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan builds on that momentum. It’s our roadmap to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 – helping lower energy costs, improve reliability and support local projects. Learn more: ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who...

Yesterday, I celebrated Earth Day by announcing Washington’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan with partners from @wastatecommerce.bsky.social and Pierce County. This is our roadmap for reaching net zero by 2050, and it’s coming at a time where local leadership is more important than ever.

It's important we continue our work to protect Washington from threats and care for the Earth — reducing waste and pollution, increasing recycling, and building clean energy to advance our clean energy transition. Today on Earth Day...

We asked for coloring book designs, and these young artists understood the assignment 🙌 Now, we’re announcing the winners of our Earth Day coloring book contest! 55 students from Seattle to Spokane submitted their artwork showing how everyday actions can protect our water.

Did you know that Ecology is as old as Earth Day? 🌎 Both started back in 1970! And Ecology staff have been working to protect and preserve Washington’s environment ever since.

In case you were wondering, the snowstorms last week did NOT end the drought. Snowpack is a key water supply source in WA and unfortunately, only a few days last week were cool enough for any new snowpack. This was nowhere near enough to make up for the snow we didn’t get over the warm winter.

We had a ball at the @everettaquasox.bsky.social games last weekend! ⚾ Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to snap a pic with Kevin (our favorite anti-litter mascot) and grab a free car litter bag.

We've been out in Washington D.C. for Puget Sound Day on the Hill with @pspartnership.bsky.social, @nwtreatytribes.org and many other partners to advocate for Puget Sound recovery. Puget Sound is vital to our region's environment and economy, and we're continuing to advocate and invest in its future

Want to kickstart your career in science? We’re looking for seasonal technicians to join our watershed health crew! Every summer, our crews collect environmental data about WA’s rivers and streams. They assess everything from stream structure & water quality, to stream-dwelling bugs & fish presence.