Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council

What Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council does

Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council (WRCD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Yakima, Washington, founded in 1973. The organization empowers communities across Washington State to adapt to environmental and economic challenges, with programmatic focus on community wildfire resilience, salmon habitat restoration, and community-led prescribed fire programs. Core programs include Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP), the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX), the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program (YTAHP), the Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC), and the Washington Dry Forest Fire Learning Network (FLN).

WRCD generates no commercial revenue from its programs; its operating model is grant-based, drawing funding from Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Conservation Commission, US Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, and charitable donations. The organization additionally operates a fiscal sponsorship platform that incubates emerging coalitions and collaboratives by providing grant management, accounting, and contracting services until they achieve independent 501(c)(3) status. Notable sponsored organizations that have since spun off include the Washington Prescribed Fire Council (2023), Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative (2023), Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition (2025), and Fire Adapted Methow (2025). WRCD operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees and serves government agencies, tribal nations (notably Yakama Nation), local conservation districts, fire districts, community organizations, and private landowners across Washington State.

Name

Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council

Legal name

Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council

Website

https://washingtonrcd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WRCD is a Yakima-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community wildfire resilience, salmon habitat restoration, and prescribed fire training programs across Washington State, funded primarily through government grants and operating a fiscal sponsorship platform for emerging conservation collaboratives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Forest Health & Fire Management Planning (AFAMAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forest Fire Management & Fuels Reduction Services (IMAMAAAH), Wildfire Risk Assessment, Prevention & Suppression Services (IMAMAJAG)

Keywords

• Wildfire resilience planning
• Salmon habitat restoration
• Prescribed fire training
• Fiscal sponsorship services
• Community conservation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Yakima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Funded Programs: WRCD receives funding through grants from government agencies and foundations to implement conservation and wildfire resilience programs. Major funders include Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Conservation Commission, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
2. Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations through PayPal to support community resilience programs.
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Services: WRCD provides fiscal sponsorship to other nonprofits and community organizations, managing grants, accounting, and contracting on their behalf. This includes organizations like Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Washington Prescribed Fire Council, Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition, Fire Adapted Methow, and KFACC.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WRCD is a community-focused nonprofit that delivers natural resource conservation services across Washington State. Its core work centers on Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP), the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) program, and salmon habitat restoration through the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program (YTAHP). The organization also provides fiscal sponsorship, training, network coordination (WAFAC, FLN), post-fire recovery support, and community wildfire ambassador programs to government agencies, tribal nations, conservation districts, and community organizations.

Product overview

Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council (WRCD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides community-focused conservation services rather than a commercial software product. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected programs centered on wildfire resilience and salmon habitat restoration. Core programs include Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) services, the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) program, and the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program (YTAHP). Supporting services include fiscal sponsorship for partner organizations, the Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC), Post-Fire Preparedness and Recovery services, Community Wildfire Ambassadors, and the Washington Dry Forest Fire Learning Network. These programs work collaboratively to build community resilience across Washington State.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC): A network of 106 people representing 39 organizations who regularly connect and learn from each other to increase understanding of wildfire and community resilience. WRCD stewards this network.
• Washington Dry Forest Fire Learning Network (FLN)
• Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX)

Products and services

• Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) Specialized consultation and assistance to communities for developing and implementing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, including stakeholder engagement, expert knowledge access, training sessions, and grant application support.
• Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) Experiential training program providing opportunities to develop prescribed fire skills and qualifications while building workforce capacity to implement safe and effective prescribed fire. Includes planning, implementation, and mentorship for organizations developing their own TREX programs.
• Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program (YTAHP) Long-standing conservation program dedicated to revitalizing salmon habitats by restoring fish passage, protecting fish from diversion entrainment, and enhancing riparian and instream habitat in Yakima River tributaries on private lands.
• Salmon Habitat Restoration Collaborative efforts with local organizations aimed at revitalizing critical salmon habitats through the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program (YTAHP) and other restoration initiatives.
• Community Wildfire Resilience Engagement program helping local leaders take action to better live with wildfire through community building, education, and collaborative planning across Washington's communities.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Administrative, financial, and operational support services provided to other organizations, including grant management, accounting, contracting, and organizational capacity building.
• Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC) Network connecting 106 people representing 39 organizations who regularly connect and learn from each other to increase understanding of wildfire and community resilience, providing technical assistance, training, and resource sharing.
• Post-Fire Preparedness and Recovery Services supporting communities impacted by wildfire beyond response and suppression phases, including workshops, field trips, resource hub management (afterthefirewa.org), and CWPP post-fire recovery toolkit development.
• Community Wildfire Ambassadors (CWA) Collaboration with Washington DNR to engage residents in locally-led wildfire mitigation and risk reduction practices, building community and empowering neighborhood volunteers through training, tools, and support.
• Washington Dry Forest Fire Learning Network (FLN) Collaborative network working to restore fire-adapted dry forests on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains and Selkirk Range, connecting projects and leaders to accelerate ecosystem restoration and resilient communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 320 participants trained in prescribed fire skills through TREX events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Washington Department of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary state agency partner for wildfire resilience programs. DNR provides funding, technical support, and collaborative opportunities for CWPP development, post-fire recovery, and statewide fire adaptation initiatives. WRCD works closely with DNR's Post-Fire Recovery Program and 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan.
• Washington State Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding and support for conservation programs. WRCD receives programmatic funding and collaborates on watershed restoration and wildfire resilience initiatives across Washington communities.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management agency partnering on landscape-scale forest restoration, prescribed fire implementation, and collaborative planning projects including the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project and Taneum Restoration Project.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation nonprofit partner in forest restoration and fire adaptation. Collaborates on Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, TREX training events, and Climate Innovation Lab initiatives including Latinx community engagement.
• Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partner in salmon habitat restoration and watershed protection. Collaborates through the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program and Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative on ecosystem restoration priorities.
• Washington Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState fish and wildlife agency partner for salmon habitat restoration. Works with WRCD on fish passage projects and habitat enhancement in Yakima River tributaries through YT AHP.
• Kittitas Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation district partner implementing fish passage and habitat restoration projects in Kittitas County through the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program.
• North Yakima Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation district partner implementing fish passage and habitat restoration projects through the Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program.
• Asotin County Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation district leading the Asotin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. WRCD provides technical assistance, Core Team participation, and fiscal sponsorship for CWPP development.
• Ember AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance provider supporting CWPP development and community wildfire resilience planning in Washington communities.
• Washington Prescribed Fire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of prescribed fire practitioners that WRCD provided fiscal sponsorship to from 2013-2023. Now an independent nonprofit with WRCD as Steering Committee member. Jointly coordinates TREX training events.
• Fire Learning NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of landscape-scale collaborative projects working to restore fire-adapted ecosystems. WRCD leads the Washington Dry Forest Fire Learning Network landscape and participates in TREX coordination.
• Kittitas Fire Adapted Communities Coalition (KFACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative community wildfire coalition in Kittitas County that WRCD provides fiscal sponsorship and capacity support to, including grant management, meeting facilitation, and strategic planning.
• Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFire adaptation coalition in the greater Leavenworth area that WRCD provided fiscal sponsorship to from 2013-2025. Now independent nonprofit. Led first TREX in Washington in 2017.
• Fire Adapted Methow (FAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity wildfire resilience organization in Methow Valley that WRCD provided fiscal sponsorship to from 2021-2025. Now independent nonprofit.
• Tapash Sustainable Forest CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative of decision-makers from Yakama Nation, TNC, Forest Service, WDFW, and DNR focusing on 2.3 million acres in eastern Washington. WRCD provided fiscal sponsorship from 2019-2023.
• SachamamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Latinx sustainability nonprofit that partnered with WRCD on the Climate Innovation Lab to develop a framework for engaging Latinx communities in wildfire adaptation.
• North Central Washington Forest Health CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative of stakeholders working on forest health in north central Washington. Partnered with WRCD on Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project and landscape restoration initiatives.
• Lake Wenatchee Fire Adapted CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity wildfire preparedness organization in Plain and Lake Wenatchee neighborhoods. WRCD provided seed funding and support to develop this outreach arm for wildfire preparedness.
• Chelan Pilot Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative including US Forest Service, Chumstick Coalition, Fire Learning Network, and The Nature Conservancy that launched landscape restoration and fire adapted community work in the Chelan/Wenatchee area.
• Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 106 people representing 39 organizations that WRCD stewards. Provides technical assistance, training, resource sharing, and partnership liaison services to wildfire resilience practitioners across Washington.
• Forest CollaborativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious regional forest collaboratives that partnered with WRCD on the HB2928 Forest Resiliency Burning Pilot to coordinate messaging, outreach, and prescribed fire implementation.
• Community Fire Resilience WorkgroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkgroup focused on wildland fire strategic planning that WRCD participates in to advance community resilience recommendations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Forests: National forest conservation nonprofit working on forest restoration, urban forestry, and wildfire resilience. Comparable mission and nonprofit delivery model to WRCD, particularly in forest health and restoration programming.
• Ecotrust: Pacific Northwest-focused nonprofit combining conservation, economic development, and indigenous community support. Comparable to WRCD in scope, regional focus, and integrated approach to community and natural resource resilience.
• Sustainable Northwest: Portland-based nonprofit focused on natural resource conservation and economic resilience in the Pacific Northwest. Shares WRCD's community-led model and works on forestry, watershed restoration, and rural community resilience.
• Trust for Public Land: National conservation nonprofit focused on land protection and community access to nature. Comparable to WRCD's nonprofit model, public-private partnership approach, and conservation program delivery.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit that is both a partner and direct peer of WRCD in Washington. TNC collaborates with WRCD on Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative, TREX training, and Climate Innovation Lab initiatives, and pursues adjacent conservation and forest restoration work.
• Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network: National network of fire adapted communities initiatives and practitioners. Directly comparable to WRCD's WAFAC network — WRCD stewards Washington's participation in this broader network.
• Forest Stewards Guild: National organization of foresters and allied professionals advancing ecological forestry and prescribed fire. Highly comparable to WRCD's TREX and forest restoration work, with similar training, workforce development, and collaborative restoration programs.
• Pinchot Institute for Conservation: Forestry and conservation research and policy organization. Comparable to WRCD in forestry focus, policy work, and convening role in forest collaboratives, though oriented more toward federal policy.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater conservation nonprofit with strong Pacific Northwest presence. Comparable to WRCD's salmon habitat restoration work and community-led, partnership-based conservation model.

Broad incumbents

• National Forest Foundation: Federal partner nonprofit for the US Forest Service, operating national programs in forest restoration, stewardship, and community engagement. Comparable to WRCD in forest restoration focus but with national scope and federal alignment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/washingtonrcd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wrcd
• Instagraminstagram.com/washington_rcd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washington Resource Conservation & Development Council