Better Ground

07/29/2026

Summer is the time to prepare your heavy use areas for the upcoming wet season!

Heavy Use Area Protection (HUAP) provides a dry, stable surface for barnyards and confinement areas, improving hoof health and reducing mud and manure issues on your farm.

Protecting pastures during wet conditions reduces compaction and supports faster recovery. Need help getting started? Visit betterground.org to find your conservation district and get in touch for a free site visit.

07/28/2026

Your backyard forest is part of something bigger. 🌲 Connected to the greater Salish Sea landscape, even small forests play an important role in clean water and healthy communities. Your conservation district can provide free technical assistance to help you care for your forest and keep it thriving for years to come.
Funded wholly or in part by EPA Puget Sound Recovery National Program under -01J89501 through the WDFW-DNR Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead.

A forest is more than just a collection of trees—it’s an active, living ecosystem where plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms work together. A single tree is part of the larger Salish Sea forest landscape, and it’s our responsibility to keep that landscape healthy. Imagine w**ding your ga...

07/26/2026

Students and educators, are you looking for hands-on forestry education closer to home? 🌲 Puget Sound conservation districts can partner with you to provide opportunities for you or your organization.
Funded wholly or in part by EPA Puget Sound Recovery National Program under -01J89501 through the WDFW-DNR Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead.

Your local conservation district works with partner agencies to connect students and educators with Puget Sound–based forestry education. Discover real-world learning opportunities that empower students and spark interest in career pathways close to home.

07/20/2026

Many conservation districts in the Puget Sound region have free or low-cost equipment share programs.

From poultry processing equipment to w**d wrenches, hand tools, and seed & nutrient spreaders, your CD is here to support your next farm or landscape project.

Find your local conservation district at betterground.org

07/18/2026

If you own forestland, a forest management plan is a roadmap for the future! 🌲Whether your goals include profit or general forest health, a management plan helps you make informed decisions specific to your property. Plus, having one opens the door to financial incentives.
Funded wholly or in part by EPA Puget Sound Recovery National Program under -01J89501 through the WDFW-DNR Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead.

A forest management plan, or forest stewardship plan, is a written document that outlines your goals for your forest and provides a pathway to help achieve them. Forest management plans should be thought of as living documents that are adapted to your concerns and available resources. Washington sta...

07/15/2026

Have you been watering your new plantings?

As your new native plants get established, it's important to monitor their soil conditions for moisture. Your conservation district is here to help you with this! Visit betterground.org to find your local conservation district and learn more about caring for your growing plants.

07/14/2026

Are you a forest land owner? Looking for services and resources to help you care for your land? ✅ Good news: there are plenty of services and resources available for forest landowners. Explore our guide to agencies that can help you care for your forest. https://loom.ly/Mfih8YI
Funded wholly or in part by EPA Puget Sound Recovery National Program under -01J89501 through the WDFW-DNR Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead.

07/09/2026

Orca Recovery Day is just 100 days away!

Join us October 17 for our annual day of action for the Southern Resident Orcas.

Visit betterground.org/ord to learn about all of the day’s events and get involved.

06/10/2026

Mark your calendar for on Saturday, October 17! 🐋 From habitat restoration to community action, we’re looking forward to another year of making a difference for Southern Resident orcas.

06/09/2026

Keep an eye out for orcas this summer! 🐳

One of the most common questions we get about the requirement for boaters in Washington state to stay 1,000 yards from endangered Southern Resident killer whales is, "How do I know if I'm 1,000 yards away?"

It's a great question, and 1,000 yards is a long way; depending on weather and water conditions, if you can see an orca out on the horizon, you're likely already too close! Fortunately, if you do see an orca, you can give it the thumbs up to gauge that 1,000-yard distance. Hold your hand out at arm's length (as pictured) and use the tip of your thumb as your guide -- if the orca appears bigger than the tip of your thumb, it's time to move away.

WDFW also offers a business-card-size printed rangefinder at events, or you can print your own! The rangefinder, a video on gauging distance on the water, and loads of other materials are available today when you visit our boater resources webpage: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/orca/regulations -toolkit