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Jeff Dawson Ranch
- Status
- Funded in 2011
The Inland Northwest Land Trust will use this grant to buy a voluntary land preservation agreement that will prohibit further development of 115 acres. Bisected by Mill Creek, the land includes 8 acres of wetlands. The property owner intends to donate an easement on another 85 acres of forestland to the land trust. The soils are some of the best in the state, and with irrigation, produce top yields of alfalfa hay. These hay lands serve as the base for the Dawson cattle operation including leases and grazing allotments on thousands of acres of private and federal lands. The Dawson's long family history of working in the cattle business combined with a diverse land base has created an economically stable, long-term ranching operation. The property contains habitat for gray wolves, golden eagles, bald eagles, elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, bears, mountain lions, cutthroat trout, turkeys, and songbirds, all of which can be viewed from nearby public roads. Lands still farmed for hay are critical to the whitetail deer herds near Colville. With Colville only 4 miles away, the threat of subdivision is very real. An easement on this property will assure prime agricultural soils are protected from development, maintain and potentially expand a ranching operation that helps support the economy of the region, and provide protection for critical wildlife habitat. The land trust will contribute $300,000 from a federal grant.
What is the WWRP?
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.
