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Program Updates:
Upcoming dates:
Additional resources:
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Open May 15 - June 29, 2025
The State Conservation Commission (SCC) has proposed updated Voluntary Stewardship Program funding guidelines. Per SCC’s Policy on Policies, VSP is seeking comments on the proposed guidelines revisions during a 45-day period starting May 15 and ending June 29.
How to comment:
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A summary and more information are available below, and the updated funding guidelines are available here.
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You can find a clean version of them here.
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SCC proposes adopting the revised guidelines at its July 2025 commission meeting. If adopted, guidelines will be effective as of July 1, 2025.
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The current funding guidelines will remain in place until the revisions are adopted.
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Please use the form below to submit your comments. Each field corresponds to a section of the guidelines. Please specify a page and paragraph number if you are able.
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Use this comment form to submit your comments on the funding guidelines. The public comments will close at 11:59 p.m. on June 29, 2025. Final proposed updates will be shared at the July Conservation Commission meeting.
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June 30, 2025, is the last day of VSP county contracts.
- All goods and services ordered must be in hand by close of business on June 30 to be eligible for reimbursement. Goods/services and labor after June 30, 2025 are not reimbursable.
- All cost share and District Implemented Projects must be completed by June 30, 2025. All subcontracted work completed on or prior to June 30, 2025, must be paid by the county and included on your final June voucher.
July 10, 2024 - Final vouchers are due. Please remember to submit your contract close-out form with your final voucher.
Training Recorded April 9, 2025
Thank you to everyone that joined us on the SCC Fiscal Year End/Biennium Training webinar on April 9. The session was recorded and is a great resource for understanding year-end deadlines and how to close out the biennium successfully.
Thank you to Benton, Franklin, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Walla Walla, and Asotin County for excellent presentations of their Voluntary Stewardship Programs. We truly enjoyed and gained valuable insights from discussions on Critical Area Protection and Enhancement as it pertains to agricultural production and viability throughout Washington.
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Thursday, May 22, 2025, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Online via Zoom only - registration required
This training will be catered specifically to VSP staff at counties or conservation districts that execute the contracts and/or manage the business affairs, including billing, vouchering, budgeting, and fiscal reporting within your county and in cooperation with SCC staff.
Training will review the following content for the 2025-27 biennium:
- Contract language, definitions & terminology updates
- New policy and procedure on Amendments to the initial contract
- New billings and budget development
- Any clarifying questions on the released VSP Funding Guidelines
First training - Thursday, May 29, 2025, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Only required to attend 1 of the 5 training tutorials offered.
Join us for a training on the new VSP 5-year reporting template from beginning to end for VSP Counties.
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May 29, 2025, 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Register
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June 17, 2025, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Register
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July 14, 2025, 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Register
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Aug. 8, 2025, 10 - 11:30 a.m. - Register
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Sept. 15, 2025, 12:30 - 2 p.m. - Register
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lacey and online
This meeting will continue to focus on reporting guidance and will also hold time on the agenda for Mason, San Juan, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Skagit counties.
Open to the public. Registration required:
If attending in person (lunch provided), please RSVP here.
If attending by Zoom, please register for the link here.
Upcoming VSP Joint SAC/Technical Panel Meetings
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Date
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Location
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Counties Presenting/Topic
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June 4, 2025
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Lacey & Online
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Mason, San Juan, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skagit
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August 6, 2025
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Spokane & Online
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Pend Oreille, Stevens, Lincoln, Spokane, Ferry
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September 10, 2025
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Lacey & Online
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Grays Harbor, Lewis
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October 8, 2025
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Online Only
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General Meeting - Topics as Needed
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. @ the Grotto
Are you attending the Washington Association of District Employes (WADE) Conference this year and are you involved or interested in the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP)?
Please join a pre-dinner VSP networking meet-up at the Grotto!
SCC is working to create a Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) training program for conservation districts. The program will include training materials, learning modules, activities, and templates specifically designed to support conservation work.
Take this short survey by Monday, May 19! We want to hear from conservation districts (and other organizations focused on conservation efforts in Washington state) about your experiences with CBSM, the barriers or opportunities unique to conservation, and what types of tools will be most helpful.
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Copyright 2025 - Washington State Conservation Commission |
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