Salmon recovery grants are awarded by the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) to projects that protect, restore, or monitor salmon habitat. The minimum funding level is $5,000 and there is no maximum for requests.

Throughout Washington State, the SRFB grant review process is coordinated by Lead Entities, which are community-based salmon recovery organizations. Each Lead Entity works a little differently, but they all facilitate a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and Citizen Committee (CC) to evaluate both the scientific efficacy of each project applying for SRFB funding and any socio-economic considerations to ensure each project has strong public buy-in. The Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board (YBFWRB) serves as the Lead Entity for the Yakima Basin.

Who Can Apply?

  • Cities, Counties, and Tribes
  • Private Landowners
  • Nonprofits
  • Conservation Districts
  • Regional fisheries enhancement groups
  • Special purpose districts
  • State and federal agencies (in collaboration with another eligible applicant)

Typical Projects

  • Replacing barriers to fish migration
  • Replanting stream banks
  • Removing dikes and levies
  • Installing large woody material to slow rivers and create habitat
  • Purchasing pristine habitat

Grant Process

For information on the current SRFB grant round in the Yakima Basin, see our Information for Applicants page. Download RCO’s Manual 18: Salmon Recovery Grants for broad-based guidance, and the YBFWRB’s Lead Entity Manual for guidance on the local review process. Applicants are also encouraged to contact us at leadentity@ybfwrb.org to discuss project ideas and eligibility.

Reecer Creek Excavation

Excavation of a new channel at MCF Reecer Creek restoration project
Photo Credit: R. Wassel

Reecer Creek Aerial View

Aerial view of the newly excavated channel
Image courtesy of Google Earth