Gov. Jay Inslee has reappointed Kaleen Cottingham as the director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, which awards grants for recreation, conservation and salmon recovery.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Gov. Inslee’s administration and to be able to continue working for the people of Washington,” Cottingham said. “As our population grows, it’s important to make sure that we have places for people to recreate and places for fish and wildlife to thrive. It is equally important that we keep Washington a desirable place for businesses and families.”

The Recreation and Conservation Office was formed in 1964 after citizens voted for an initiative to tax themselves and put the money toward creating recreational opportunities for boaters. The agency helps finance recreation and conservation projects throughout the state by giving grants to local communities and others for parks, trails, beaches, boating and recreational facilities, wildlife habitat and natural areas, farmland preservation and salmon recovery. The agency is home to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the Invasive Species Council, the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, and the Habitat and Recreation Lands Coordinating Group.

Cottingham was first appointed as director of the Recreation and Conservation Office in 2007. She has worked for four governors in a variety of natural resource and legal roles. She also served under a previous Commissioner of Public Lands as both deputy commissioner and supervisor, leading the Washington Department of Natural Resources.