Along Washington’s southern coast, the Bone and Niawiakum Rivers wind through a landscape where freshwater meets the Pacific, creating expansive salt marshes, coastal wetlands, and forests alive with wildlife. These are some of the finest examples of native coastal salt marsh remaining in the state — and 447 acres are now permanently protected.
Through a WWRP Natural Areas grant, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acquired approximately 447 acres in the Bone River and Niawiakum River Natural Area Preserves in Pacific County. These wetlands and estuaries are more than beautiful places. They are vital habitat for wildlife and important pieces of the watersheds that sustain the Bone and Niawiakum Rivers. Forests bordering the salt marshes help protect watershed health while providing nesting habitat for bald eagles, marbled murrelets, great blue herons, and many other species.
The project also helps protect something increasingly difficult to find: connected, functioning native ecosystems. As Washington grows and development puts pressure on natural areas, protecting wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitat together can help keep these landscapes intact and resilient.
But conservation doesn’t mean keeping people out. The Natural Areas category supports both habitat protection and public access for passive, back-country recreation. At Bone River and Niawiakum River, this acquisition preserves opportunities for people to experience Washington’s coastal landscapes while keeping the focus on conservation.
That’s the power of WWRP Natural Areas funding: protecting exceptional places while keeping Washington’s natural landscapes available for both wildlife and people.