Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board

What Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board does

The Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board (YBFWRB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established in 2006 through an Interlocal Agreement signed by Benton, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties, 18 city governments, and the Yakama Nation. The organization serves as the statutorily designated Lead Entity for the Yakima Basin under Washington's salmon recovery program, with this designation in place since 1999. YBFWRB convenes Technical Advisory Group and Citizen Committee reviews to evaluate and rank project proposals, which are then forwarded to the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) for final approval and funding.

The organization manages multiple grant programs, including the SRFB Regular Grant Program ($1-2M annually), the SRFB Riparian Grant Program (final year 2026 with $195k rollover), the SRFB Targeted Investments Grant Program (statewide competition for $1-7M projects), and a new SRFB Monitoring Grant Program ($973,855 statewide in 2025). Beyond grantmaking, YBFWRB develops and maintains recovery plans for steelhead and bull trout, fish passage prioritization, monitoring plans, and the broader Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. Sub-brands include the Naches Forest Partnership and Populus: The Columbia Basin Riparian Planting Partnership (launched 2021).

The business model is grant coordination rather than commercial revenue generation. Operating funding flows from state appropriations via the SRFB and Recreation and Conservation Office, and the organization coordinates millions of dollars in pass-through funding to project sponsors including county governments, the Yakama Nation, conservation districts, and nonprofit conservation organizations. With 1-10 staff led by Executive Director Alex Conley, Lead Entity Coordinator Cheyne Mayer, and Operations Manager Bridget Wood, YBFWRB operates from a single office in Yakima, Washington, serving the three-county Yakima Basin.

Name

Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board

Legal name

Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board

Website

https://ybfwrb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the designated Lead Entity coordinating salmon, steelhead, and bull trout recovery grants across the Yakima Basin in Washington State. It distributes state SRFB funding to county governments, the Yakama Nation, conservation districts, and nonprofit project sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Grant Coordination and Recovery Planning

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / No Net Loss Planning & Metrics (EUAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Salmon recovery coordination
• Habitat restoration grants
• Fish passage planning
• Riparian restoration funding
• Watershed conservation services

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) Grants: Coordinates distribution of Washington State SRFB grants for salmon habitat restoration projects. Regular SRFB funding typically ranges $1-2M annually, with additional riparian and targeted investment programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board coordinates salmon recovery funding and develops fish and wildlife recovery plans as the designated Lead Entity for the Yakima Basin. It manages multiple SRFB grant programs (Regular, Riparian, Targeted Investments, and Monitoring) distributing state funds to project sponsors for salmon, steelhead, and bull trout habitat restoration. It also produces strategic recovery plans including the Steelhead Recovery Plan, Bull Trout Recovery, and Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.

Product overview

The Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board operates as a nonprofit Lead Entity coordinating salmon recovery efforts in the Yakima Basin. The organization offers multiple grant programs including the SRFB Regular Grant Program, Riparian Grant Program, Targeted Investments Grant Program (for large $1-7M projects), and a new Monitoring Grant Program. These programs fund fish habitat restoration, protection, and monitoring projects. The Board also provides recovery planning services including Steelhead and Bull Trout recovery planning, monitoring plans, and fish passage prioritization. The organization does not offer a technology product but rather serves as a funding coordinator and planning body for regional conservation efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Naches Forest Partnership: An initiative bringing together individuals who live, work, and recreate in the Naches Watershed to share information about forest and watershed management and collaborate on projects that enhance forest resilience, restore local ecosystems and at-risk species, support local economies, and sustain responsible recreational opportunities.
• Populus: The Columbia Basin Riparian Planting Partnership

Products and services

• SRFB Regular Grant Program Flagship grant program for projects that promote recovery of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in the Yakima Basin. Anticipated funding of $1-2M annually. Open to project sponsors including local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and conservation districts.
• SRFB Riparian Grant Program Grant program for projects that protect and restore riparian areas (land adjacent to rivers and streams) in the Yakima Basin. 2026 is the final year of the program with $195k available.
• SRFB Targeted Investments Grant Program Statewide grant competition for large, priority salmon recovery projects between $1-7M each. The Yakima Basin can submit 2 projects for consideration.
• SRFB Monitoring Grant Program New statewide grant program for monitoring projects that generate information about salmonids and their habitats to direct restoration investments and build understanding. $973,855 available statewide in 2025.
• Lead Entity Coordination Services Acts as the Lead Entity for the Yakima Basin, coordinating the local grant review process for salmon recovery funding through a Technical Advisory Group and Citizen Committee that produce ranked project lists for state SRFB approval.
• Recovery Planning Services Develops and implements strategic fish and wildlife recovery plans including the Steelhead Recovery Plan, Bull Trout Recovery, Monitoring Plans, Fish Passage Prioritization, and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $12M in grant funding coordinated in 2024 alone across 13 projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Yakama NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Founding partner in the Interlocal Agreement creating the Recovery Board; conducts salmon recovery projects including fish passage, habitat restoration, and large wood placement throughout the basin
• Benton, Kittitas, and Yakima CountiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Founding member governments under the Interlocal Agreement; represent the three counties in the Recovery Board's governance structure with 10-member Board of Directors
• Office of Columbia River (WA Dept of Ecology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Partner of the Year; drives Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, convenes partners, secures critical funding, and supports Bull Trout recovery programs
• Washington Department of Fish & WildlifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey agency partner for fish and wildlife recovery efforts; involved in Bull Trout monitoring and habitat assessments
• Kittitas Conservation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Project of the Year recipient; implements Upper Kachess River Floodplain Restoration and Gold Creek Valley Restoration projects
• Mid Columbia Fisheries Enhancement GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-moderator of Populus: Columbia Basin Riparian Planting Partnership; conducts fisheries enhancement projects
• Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that administers the Salmon Recovery Funding Board program; processes and manages SRFB grants
• Benton Conservation DistrictmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplements habitat restoration projects including Amon Creek Thermal Refugia Project
• Conservation DistrictsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork of local conservation districts that implement restoration projects throughout the basin
• US Army Corps of EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplements Yakima River Gap to Gap Section 1135 Ecosystem Restoration Project with Yakima County
• US Fish & Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in salmon recovery; involved in Bull Trout recovery and fish passage projects
• Bureau of ReclamationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency involved in Yakima Basin Integrated Plan; supports fish passage projects including Cle Elum fish passage

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit with active Pacific Northwest operations focused on trout and salmon habitat. Comparable in fish conservation mission but broader geographic and programmatic scope than YBFWRB.
• Washington Wildlife Federation: Statewide wildlife and habitat conservation nonprofit engaging in policy, education, and habitat restoration in Washington. Comparable advocacy and outreach role to YBFWRB across broader species.
• Pacific Rivers Council: Pacific Northwest nonprofit advocating for river and salmon habitat protection through policy and on-the-ground restoration. Overlapping mission in salmon recovery and watershed health advocacy.

Others

• Salmon Recovery Funding Board (Washington State RCO): The state agency that administers and approves YBFWRB's coordinated grants. Not a peer competitor but the principal funding counterpart whose policy decisions shape YBFWRB's revenue and scope.

Direct peers

• Wild Fish Conservancy: Washington-based nonprofit focused on wild salmon recovery, habitat restoration, and science-based advocacy in the Puget Sound and broader Pacific Northwest — closely aligned mission and restoration activities.
• Kittitas Conservation Trust: Active project sponsor and 2025 YBFWRB Project of the Year recipient implementing Upper Kachess River Floodplain Restoration. Implements the same riparian and salmon habitat restoration work funded by YBFWRB grants.
• Long Live the Kings: Pacific Northwest salmon recovery nonprofit focused on habitat restoration and hatchery reform in Washington. Directly comparable mission of sustaining wild and hatchery salmon populations through science and on-the-ground projects.
• Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group: Regional fisheries enhancement group and active YBFWRB partner co-moderating the Populus Riparian Planting Partnership. Implements habitat restoration in the same Columbia Basin geography.

Regional players

• Puyallup River Watershed Council: Washington Lead Entity for the Puyallup Basin, performing the same grant coordination, technical review, and recovery planning function as YBFWRB but in a different geography.
• Snohomish River Salmon Recovery Lead Entity: One of Washington's 26 Lead Entities coordinating SRFB salmon recovery grants in the Snohomish Basin. Directly comparable role and structure to YBFWRB, operating in a different watershed.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBwQ4OLYzVxfgvFGOE6A7fA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ybfwrb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board