Thank you for taking action this legislative session to make Washington safer for birds and people.
This session, Audubon Washington sent eight action alerts to over 30,000 recipients, resulting in over 5,000 messages to legislators. Our local chapters stepped up in powerful ways - sending letters, providing testimony, amplifying communications, and hosting community Lights Out events. With continued engagement, we’re confident we can build the momentum needed to protect birds and their habitats for generations to come.
Lights Out & Bird-Friendly Buildings
Concerning the design and operation of buildings to protect birds.
Every year, billions of birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall, the majority of them flying at night, navigating with the night sky. However, as they pass over big cities on their way, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow, often causing them to collide with buildings or windows. Artificial light at night is a leading cause of bird mortality and an unnecessary source of energy waste. Audubon Washington is supporting legislation that would promote Lights Out policies and bird-friendly building standards across the state.
Legislation: SB 6272
Position: Support
Status: Did not advance this session.
Protecting Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Reducing environmental impacts associated with the operation of certain ocean-going vessels.
Toxic contaminants in our marine waters build up through the food web and effect the health of local seabirds like Rhinoceros Auklets. Ships calling on Washington state ports are currently required to use low-sulfur fuels, yet many bypass this regulation by using cleaning systems known as scrubbers to clean the toxic contaminants out of their exhaust using seawater. More than 80% of scrubbers dump the polluted seawater back into the ocean and inland waters. This discharge contains heavy metals and other toxic contaminants that threaten water quality, public health, marine economies and fish and wildlife. Audubon Washington is supporting legislation that would close this loophole and reduce air and water pollution from ocean-going vessels and improve marine ecosystem health.
Legislation: HB 1652 / SB 5519
Position: Support
Status: Did not advance this session.
Climate and Clean Energy Infrastructure
Improving reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system in Washington state.
Audubon’s 2023 report, Birds and Transmission: Building the Grid Birds Need, lays out why we need to rapidly upgrade the transmission grid to transition to a clean energy economy and avoid the worst impacts of climate change for birds and people. We understand the risks birds face from a rapid transmission build-out, but there are well-tested solutions that can be implemented to alleviate these. Audubon is supporting legislation first introduced in 2025 aimed at improving the capacity and reliability of Washington’s electric transmission system.
Legislation: HB 1673 / SB 5466
Position: Support
Status: Did not advance this session.
Climate and Clean Energy Infrastructure
Concerning the electric transmission system.
Audubon’s 2023 report, Birds and Transmission: Building the Grid Birds Need, lays out why we need to rapidly upgrade the transmission grid to transition to a clean energy economy and avoid the worst impacts of climate change for birds and people. We understand the risks birds face from a rapid transmission build-out, but there are well-tested solutions that can be implemented to alleviate these. This bill advances the policies first proposed in SB 5466 to improve the capacity and reliability of Washington's electric transmission system.
Legislation: SB 6355 / HB 2741
Position: Support
Status: Passed!
Removing Protections for Shrubsteppe Habitat in Urban Growth Areas.
Concerning land use development when vegetation associated with shrubsteppe is present in the urban growth areas.
HB 2316 would carve out an exception in state law that effectively removes environmental protection for shrub-steppe vegetation within urban growth areas - treating native shrubs and grasses as irrelevant to wildlife conservation. Because shrub-steppe is already rare and ecologically important, removing these protections could accelerate habitat loss at the very edges of growing towns and cities, undermining broader efforts to conserve and restore this ecosystem across eastern Washington.
Legislation: HB 2316
Position: Oppose
Status: Did not advance this session.
Wildlife Connectivity
Ensuring connectivity for Washington wildlife through safe passages.
This bill supports the implementation of Washington’s new Habitat Connectivity Action Plan, helping state agencies prioritize and build wildlife crossings, protect and restore movement corridors, and reduce costly wildlife‑vehicle collisions statewide.
Legislation: SB 5203
Position: Support
Status: Did not advance this session.
Budget Item: Sustaining Wildlife Conservation Through Stable Funding
Bird conservation depends on sustained investments in habitat management and wildlife research and monitoring, which is why we are a long-time champion for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) budget. Audubon Washington is working with partners to explore long-term funding solutions for the Department that provide stability for wildlife management and habitat protection. As lawmakers grapple with a budget shortfall, proposed cuts would significantly reduce funding for WDFW, undermining conservation, public safety, and outdoor recreation across the state. Audubon is urging legislators to fully fund WDFW’s 2026 supplemental operating budget request, with particular attention to biodiversity, land stewardship, and enforcement.
Legislation: The budget bill will be approved by the governor in April.
Status: WDFW is facing a $10 million annual reduction. We will continue to advocate for a fully-funded WDFW.
Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act
Concerning recycling and waste reduction.
Increasing our recycling rates is a win-win for birds and people. Reducing the amount of waste in our landfills is good for the planet and recycling also helps wildlife by reducing their risk of ingesting unsafe materials. Beverage containers are a major source of litter across Washington and only 30% of them are recycled. Bottle bills are an effective way to boost these rates - a refundable deposit on beverage containers promotes recycling, which in turn reduces waste and keeps plastics and aluminum out of habitats.
Budget Item: Protecting Climate and Environmental Health Funding
Protect dedicated climate and environmental funding from cuts or diversions.
With the state budget shortfall, dedicated climate and environmental funding sources are at risk. These investments represent a small share of the overall state budget, yet they deliver outsized benefits like cleaner air and water that benefit people and backyard birds like the Dark-eyed Juncos, lower energy bills, and create well-paying jobs.
Audubon Washington is working with EPC partners to ensure climate and environmental funds are used for their intended purposes: reducing pollution and protecting communities.
Status: Support. Learn More
Budget Item: Restoring Wildfire Resilience Funding
Restore full funding to the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience Account.
Wildfire is a natural part of our landscape, but increasingly large and severe fires are not. Washington’s investments in wildfire resilience are working to improve forest health, bolster support for firefighters, and invest in more prepared communities. However, recent budget cuts have reduced the Legislature’s prior funding commitment, threatening to reverse progress even now as wildfire risk grows. Audubon Washington supports restoring full funding to ensure forests, habitat, and communities remain resilient.
Status: Coalition letter of support sent to State House and Senate Operating Budget Leaders.
Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news.
