OLYMPIA, WA – Several Whatcom County organizations are receiving over $500,000 in grants to support outdoor education.

The state Recreation and Conservation Office announced $3.7 million in grants for 27 projects across the state earlier this week.

The Lummi Indian Business Council was awarded nearly $150,000 to support its Waters of the Lummi program for native youth.

Another $226,000 will go to Wild Whatcom to establish three programs that provide outdoor education for special needs students and their teachers.

The third grant of nearly $150,000 was given to the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association.

It looks to supports the group’s Students for Salmon Program, which provides 3,000 Whatcom County students with hands-on field experience around salmon streams and restoration efforts.