Sustainability at WDFW: reducing emissions to support fish, wildlife, and habitats

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s cross-program sustainability team is committed to protecting Washington’s natural world by helping reduce the Department’s environmental impact. This year, the program has been working on projects ranging from installing electric vehicle chargers and planning renewable energy projects to hosting bicycle maintenance workshops for agency staff — all in service of WDFW’s commitment to reducing our climate impact.

WDFW staff at a bike maintenance event hosted in partnership with Intercity Transit Walk N Roll. The event was designed to help empower staff to commute to work via bicycle instead of automobile, reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with Washington state emissions reduction goals. WDFW photo.

About the WDFW sustainability program

The WDFW sustainability program is one half of the agency’s holistic response to climate change, which focuses on both reducing emissions from agency operations and building resilience to ongoing and projected climate-related impacts.

“As an agency, we recognize the threat that climate change poses to our work and mission. We also acknowledge that greenhouse gas emissions generated by our operations contribute to climate-related environmental concerns,” said Addie Bash, WDFW sustainability coordinator. “Our sustainability program prioritizes reducing WDFW’s emissions in alignment with agency and statewide targets.”

State law requires Washington state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from agency operations. This work is funded primarily through Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, with additional support from other state funding sources and grants.

WDFW electric truck supporting work at the Skagit Wildlife Area. WDFW photo.

Reducing emissions

WDFW is focused on reducing emissions in three categories: fleet, buildings, and employee commuting.

Fleet emissions

WDFW’s nearly 1,500 fleet vehicles are the agency’s largest emissions source, accounting for 43% of average annual emissions. The greatest opportunity to reduce these emissions is transitioning from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). WDFW has made some exciting headway expanding how the Department uses EVs.

An electric vehicle charger at WDFW’s Port Townsend field office. WDFW photo.

As of Oct. 2026, WDFW has installed 78 electric vehicle chargers at 21 Department facilities across the state. The Department has added a variety of fully electric vehicles to its fleet, supporting a broad range of agency work. Electric trucks and sport utility vehicles effectively haul field crews and equipment across over 1 million acres of WDFW-managed lands to support wildlife surveys, stream sampling, hatchery operations, habitat restoration, and much more. Smaller commuter vehicles offer a more environmentally friendly way for staff to travel between offices, attend conferences and events, or participate in education and outreach activities.

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WDFW has also hosted EV test driving events for staff across the state, giving employees a valuable opportunity to learn more about EVs, ask questions, and see for themselves how these vehicles handle and how they can support their work. During the events, fleet and sustainability experts address many myths and misunderstandings about EVs, helping staff feel more confident relying on them for their important work.

WDFW’s sustainability team has also prepared educational resources about EVs for staff and spent time surveying and speaking with a variety of Department programs to learn what concerns they have about using EVs and how best the Department can support them in this transition to a more sustainable fleet.

Staff from the WDFW Capital Asset and Management Program prepare to travel for a site visit in the program’s shared electric vehicle. WDFW photo.

Building emissions

From fish hatcheries and regional offices to construction shops and public recreational facilities, powering WDFW’s diverse portfolio of buildings results in the Department’s second-highest source of emissions, accounting for approximately 40% annually. WDFW is focused on reducing the Department’s demand for fossil fuel energy sources by pursuing opportunities to generate renewable energy and updating buildings to reduce their energy consumption.

Thanks in part to funding awarded through a 2026 Commerce Clean Energy Technical Assistance grant, WDFW has identified at least 14 viable solar energy projects at Department facilities around the state. The Department has also developed plans to install micro-hydro power systems that generate power from the streamflow at WDFW hatcheries. Collectively, these projects have the potential to generate nearly 1.5 million kilowatts of clean electricity annually, avoiding approximately 640 metric tons of carbon emissions. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions from 150 gas-powered passenger vehicles! WDFW is actively pursuing grants and other funding opportunities to complete these identified project opportunities.

WDFW is also identifying and implementing energy-efficient upgrades to many of its facilities. These upgrades not only reduce building emissions, but also save taxpayer dollars by reducing energy costs. Upgrades include installing energy-efficient heat pump systems, dual-pane windows, and LED lighting; updating building insulation, and transitioning buildings and equipment away from fossil fuel energy sources like natural gas to electric alternatives.

WDFW staff commuting to work in an Intercity Transit vanpool van. WDFW photo.

Commute emissions

The remainder of WDFW’s annual emissions (approximately 17%) come from staff commuting to work. Like many organizations, WDFW staff often commute to work by driving alone, which both increases traffic congestion and produces transportation emissions. To reduce the number of staff commuting individually, WDFW has significantly expanded its Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program, which provides incentives to and resources for staff that use alternative forms of transportation like carpooling, biking, walking, or public transit to get to work.

WDFW’s CTR program builds on Washington State’s Commute Trip reduction requirements, which directs state worksites in the urban growth areas of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater to participate in a Joint Comprehensive CTR Plan. The WDFW CTR program goes beyond these requirements by offering commute incentives statewide and providing additional resources and opportunities to make it easier for employees across the agency to use alternative commute methods.

Since its launch in 2024, over 200 WDFW staff have tracked almost 40,000 CTR-eligible transportation trips through the program, reducing over 472,000 miles in single-occupancy vehicle travel and approximately 36 metric tons of carbon emissions annually — equivalent to 7.5 average homes’ annual electric use!

Over a dozen WDFW staff also participate in the state employee fare-free vanpool program managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program allows WDFW staff to commute to work for free in a shared vehicle provided by the local transit agency.

Some WDFW destinations, including South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, Tumwater Falls Hatchery, and Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area are accessible via public transportation. WDFW understands that public transit and bike infrastructure vary significantly across the state, and that there are physical barriers for many Department staff in using alternative transportation. WDFW is working to address these inequities and identify options for all staff to do their part to reduce agency emissions and make a positive difference for the environment.

Learn more about WDFW’s climate change and sustainability initiatives on the Department website.