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Western Pond Turtle Phase 3
- Status
- Funded in 2003
This project in Klickitat County adds an additional thirty-two acres of critical habitat for the western pond turtle, a Washington state endangered species. This site is known as Balch Lake and Sondino Ponds, a part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Klickitat Wildlife Area. This habitat supports one of two known natural populations of the western pond turtle in Washington. Balch Lake and Sondino Ponds have the best remaining habitat in the state and have the largest of two natural western pond turtle populations. In addition, this site contains some of the best remaining oak-pine savannah/grassland habitat in Klickitat County. This area will provide additional grassy savannah for turtle nesting, cliffs and talus for raptors and reptiles, and nesting habitat for neotropical migrant birds. The large oaks and pines on this site provide critical habitat for several cavity nesting species and the western gray squirrel, a Washington threatened species. The additional acreage provides a buffer to further land divisions and development adjacent to the critical wildlife habitat.
Location
From White Salmon travel approximately 5 miles on State Highway 14 east to Roland Lake. Turn left on Roland Lake Road. (old highway). Drive approximately 5 miles to Sondino Ranch - WDFW wildlife area.
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Western Pond Turtle Phase 3
- This project in Klickitat County adds an additional thirty-two acres of critical habitat for the western pond turtle, a Washington state endangered species. This site is known as Balch Lake and Sondino Ponds, a part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Klickitat Wildlife Area. This habitat supports one of two known natural populations of the western pond turtle in Washington. Balch Lake and Sondino Ponds have the best remaining habitat in the state and have the largest of two natural western pond turtle populations. In addition, this site contains some of the best remaining oak-pine savannah/grassland habitat in Klickitat County. This area will provide additional grassy savannah for turtle nesting, cliffs and talus for raptors and reptiles, and nesting habitat for neotropical migrant birds. The large oaks and pines on this site provide critical habitat for several cavity nesting species and the western gray squirrel, a Washington threatened species. The additional acreage provides a buffer to further land divisions and development adjacent to the critical wildlife habitat.
- 45.70827286 -121.31291042
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.
