Are we reaching you? "Roundtables" to help WDFW gauge public connections
By Jeff Koenings, WDFW Director

The world keeps changing, probably both for better and for worse.

In the fish and wildlife management world, resource use has been changing for many years now. Today less than 25 percent of Washingtonians fish and less than four percent hunt. But now more than 80 percent of our state's residents enjoy fish and wildlife in other ways: viewing, photographing, and yes, providing habitat for them in their own backyards like you do.

Part of our job at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is to make sure we're reflecting these kinds of changes and connecting with all the different publics we serve.

Do our public involvement efforts in decision-making processes provide enough opportunity for different ideas to be heard?

Is there adequate interpersonal communication between WDFW staff and you?

Are the information products we provide sufficient?

Are we reaching you? I'm seeking answers to these and other questions so that I can gauge our public connections and determine what we need to do better or different in the future.

To that end, this fall I'm conducting a series of ìDirector's Roundtablesî across the state to discuss how WDFW is doing in the public communication and involvement realms with invited representatives of a wide variety of interests - agriculturists, animal lovers, business, educators, environmentalists, fishers, hunters, landowners, local government officials, outdoor recreationists. These sessions are open to the public, too, but individuals have been invited to make sure all voices are heard.

WDFW's Roundtable Website (www.wa.gov/wdfw/roundtable/) has more detailed information about the roundtables, which will be held from October 22 through November 16. You can give us your input through the website, using our roundtable questionnaire or just sending an e-mail, or you can plan on attending a roundtable in your region.

With what you do for wildlife in your backyard, you are among our most active constitutents. I'd appreciate hearing from you so that WDFW can serve you and others better.

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