The State Lands Restoration and Enhancement category provides funding to two state agencies to help repair damaged plant and animal habitat. These grants focus on resource preservation and protection of public lands. Projects in this category help bring important natural areas and resources back to their original functions by improving the self sustaining and ecological functionality of sites.
This month’s featured project is Phantom Butte Grassland Restoration located on the ancestral lands of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, škwáxčənəxʷ (Moses-Columbia), and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife used this grant to restore approximately 150 acres of a 250 acre field on Phantom Butte located in the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County. The site was previously used to support wheat production and was restored to native grassland habitat to support Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage grouse. Both Species are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. This site supports passive recreation (bird watching, hiking) and active recreation (hunting).
