Recreation and Conservation Office

About Us The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help return salmon and orcas from near extinction. The office supports the following organizations: - [Recreation and Conservation Funding Board](https://rco.wa.gov/boards/recreation-and-conservation-funding-board/) - [Salmon Recovery Funding Board](https://rco.wa.gov/boards/salmon-recovery-funding-board/) - [Invasive Species Council](https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/) - [Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office](https://rco.wa.gov/salmon-recovery/governors-salmon-recovery-office/) - [Habitat and Recreation Lands Coordinating Group](https://rco.wa.gov/boards/habitat-and-recreation-lands-coordinating-group/) Together, this collection of boards and offices provide leadership, funding, and technical assistance. **Mission** RCO is an exemplary partner that provides statewide leadership and funding to protect and improve the best of Washington’s natural and outdoor recreation resources, now and for future generations. **Vision** Washington State has abundant outdoor recreation spaces, healthy habitats, and working farms and forests that support people, fish, and wildlife. **Values** - Open and consistent communication. - A workplace that is a respectful, inclusive, and family-friendly environment where we can all learn and lead. - Outstanding customer service and collaborative relationships. - Continual improvement of our business practices by utilizing data and Lean concepts. **Organizing Goals and Objectives****Goal: Fair and Accountable Grant Management** **Objectives** - Provide competitive grants efficiently and fairly so that partners can make strategic investments. - Ensure that grants and contracts are effectively implemented and maintained for the benefit of all. **Goal: Innovative and Efficient Business Practices** **Objectives** - Meet business needs with strategic communication, policy, fiscal, administrative, and technology services. - Create an agency culture of leadership, innovation, and continual improvement. **Goal: Leadership and Collaboration** **Objectives** - Collect and manage data to inform plans, investments, and funding decisions. - Collaborate with our boards and partners to develop and implement plans, strategies, and policies that address conservation, recreation, invasive species, and salmon recovery. - Educate the public about the importance of the state’s investments in conservation, recreation, invasive species, and salmon recovery. - Work within our own agency and with our partners to ensure our actions, processes, and policies are equitable and fair to all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and other communities.