OLYMPIA, Wash. – Whatcom County is receiving over $5 million in grants from the state for outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

The state Recreation and Conservation Office announced the statewide grants on Tuesday that totaled nearly $190 million.

Whatcom’s funds will support nine different projects that aim to preserve existing recreation areas and build new ones.

The largest grant was given to the Whatcom Land Trust to expand the Stewart Mountain Community Forest by about 1,600 acres.

Another grant for the City of Bellingham will build a half-mile long trail to connect three different neighborhoods to Squalicum Creek Trail and Sunset Pond Park.

Other projects look to maintain trails on Mount Baker, install a bridge over Olsen Creek and enhance the Boulevard Park shoreline.

San Juan County received nearly $6.5 million and Skagit County received just over $1 million as part of the grants.

Find more information on each project funded by the grants on the Recreation and Conservation Office’s website here.