History

For 40 years the Washington Environmental Council has been a strong voice for environmental protection in Washington. Our collaborative leadership and forward thinking reforms have helped protect the people and natural areas of Washington -- and created models for change now used around the nation.

This year we celebrate four decades of success, the present strength of the state's environmental community, and the future challenges we are working to overcome. Be it reducing global warming pollution, solving long-standing water resource conflicts, or restoring Puget Sound - WEC will be there making a difference.

Beginning work in the late 1960's as the voice for Washington’s environment in the state capitol, we have worked hard to protect our state’s resources, communities, and natural wonders. And we have done it longer than any other organization at the state level. This is experience that inspires.

And yet, we are on the cutting edge of the conservation movement at the state level — developing a 21st century strategy to protect our forests, water and air while at the same time building our leadership role in the state capitol. For all this work we employ the full range of tactics: lobbying, policy development, research, grassroots organizing, media, and legal action.

Adding to the strength of our savvy and experiences staff is the commitment and support from our Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of over 20 dedicated volunteers who provide big-picture direction for WEC. They are skilled professionals and activists from a vast array of backgrounds: law, education, science, community and grassroots organizing, fundraising, public relations, and government.

Our work has created results. These results are not just about getting good laws on the books, they are about protecting real places across Washington — from the San Juan Islands to the Columbia River, from the hills of the Palouse to the Methow Valley. Click here to learn more about these places.