Washington's Department of Ecology was the first environmental agency to be established in the U.S., back in 1970. We're headquartered in Lacey, with regional offices across the state, and are tasked with protecting, preserving and enhancing our environment for current and future generations. Here, we post stories from our our environmental programs as well as expertise in scientific research, creative problem-solving, complex project management, and innovative partnerships.Learn more about us at www.ecology.wa.gov/blog. You can also seek us out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.