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.

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

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