FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Zachary Pullin, 206-639-3760, zachary@waconservationaction.org
WASHINGTON STATE (July 15, 2025) Today, Washington Conservation Action (WCA) enthusiastically names Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) of the 40th Legislative District as its 2025 Legislator of the Year, key sponsor of the 2025 Recycling Reform Act.
Each year, Washington Conservation Action names a single Legislator of the Year: a state lawmaker who showed up as an environmental champion, going above and beyond during the most recent legislative session as a form of positive accountability.
“Growing up in the heart of the Salish Sea has given me a first-hand view of how our ecosystems are changing, the development pressures we’re facing, and the contamination these sensitive habitats are enduring,” says Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes). “Being on the team that championed reforming our recycling system and reducing plastic pollution was some of the most challenging and rewarding work I’ve done as a state legislator. I’m deeply honored for this acknowledgement by Washington Conservation Action and for their collaboration throughout the years.”
Since joining the Washington State Legislature in 2019, Sen. Lovelett has stood out as a fierce leader on environmental issues important to WCA and its communities, supporting measures investing in the clean-up of Puget Sound and its habitat; and being one of the state’s most steadfast environmental champions in the fight to tackle climate change. She also has an amazing record of legislative achievement in the 2025 legislative session, helping to pass recycling reform, protecting Climate Commitment Act dollars and more.
“Senator Liz Lovelett has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a true environmental champion. In a year marked by budget challenges and tough political choices, she led with courage, clarity, and conviction—delivering major legislative victories to protect our climate, reform our recycling system, and safeguard Puget Sound,” says Alyssa Macy (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Oregon), CEO of Washington Conservation Action. “Her long-standing commitment to environmental justice and her leadership in the 2025 session made her the clear choice for our Legislator of the Year. Washington is stronger, healthier, and more resilient because of her service.”
Sen. Lovelett (D, Anacortes) was the Senate’s prime sponsor of the Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284) and along with House sponsor Rep. Liz Berry (D, Seattle) successfully guided passage through the Legislature and got it signed into law by Governor Ferguson. Both legislators shared leadership in this historic victory.
Sen. Lovelett was also the Senate prime sponsor of legislation to address potent climate pollution from refrigerants (SB 5438), along with previous WCA legislator of the year Rep. Duerr, helping move the bill through the Legislature, as well.
Sen. Lovelett’s leadership on Climate Commitment Act investments in the 2025-27 biennial budget ensured funds were used for their intended purposes, an especially challenging achievement given the state’s dramatic funding shortfall this past session. She was the Senate leader on this issue in 2025. Sen. Lovelett also committed to champion protecting Puget Sound by being willing to take on big issues like pollution from vessels, keeping boaters away from the Southern Resident orcas, and funding for a Quiet Sound. As co-chair of the Ferry Legislator Caucus, she has also kept Washington on track to hybridize Washington State ferries and to electrify her county ferry.
Lovelett was appointed to the Washington State Senate in 2019 and represents the 40th Legislative District, which includes Anacortes. She is deputy majority leader, as well as vice chair of the Senate’s Local Government Committee. She also sits on the Transportation and Environment, Energy & Technology committees.
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