Congressman Dave Reichert will be visiting Snoqualmie Point Park to present State Sen. Andy Hill (R-Redmond), Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island) and Joe Fain (R-Auburn) with an award from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust honoring their conservation leadership.

Hill, Litzow and Fain are being recognized for reaching across the aisle during the 2011 session to continue funding for a critical wildlife conservation program – the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP). The WWRP was initially slated for elimination in the governor’s budget.

“In the Pacific Northwest, we take special pride in our natural resources,” said Congressman Reichert, who represents the Eighth District, which includes parts of Redmond. “I am impressed by the state senators’ efforts to save the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and look forward to adding more allies to the ongoing mission to preserve our environment.”

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m.

The WWRP, which has funded dozens of projects along the Greenway from Mt. Si and Mailbox Peak to the John Wayne Trail, faced its greatest threat last session. Senators Hill, Fain and Litzow stepped forward and gathered support from their colleagues to keep a significant amount of money flowing into the program.

“Years ago, when I adopted Washington as my home, it was the breathtaking beauty here that drew me,” said Hill, who represents the 45th District, which includes parts of Redmond. “Today, as a state senator, I have a strong commitment to keeping Washington’s wild areas pristine. The Mountains to Sound Greenway is a magical place, covered in evergreens, alive with wildlife, and honeycombed with hiking trails that I have enjoyed with my own kids. So it is a great pleasure to help conserve it for future generations.”