3 percent. That’s how many original prairies remain in Washington. Once common in the South Puget Sound region, prairies are now one of the state’s rarest ecosystems. With high-quality prairies continuing to dwindle in size, the animals that call these habitats home are under threat.
But there’s good news on the horizon. Thanks to a WWRP Critical Habitat grant, our partners at the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased approximately 1,600 acres of prairie, oak woodlands, wetland, mixed conifer forest, and riparian habitat in Thurston County. This purchase will protect federally-threatened species like the Mazama pocket gopher, conserve endangered Puget lowland prairies, and provide the public with new opportunities to hike, view wildlife, and connect with nature.
Conservation may not always make headlines, but projects like this are a big deal. They remind us that when we invest in nature, everyone wins.
The South Sound Prairies Project
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is leading a major conservation initiative in Thurston County through the South Sound Prairies project. With a $6 million WWRP Critical Habitat grant, and an additional $2.37 million WWRP Urban Wildlife grant, WDFW secured approximately 1,600 acres of ecologically rich prairie, oak woodland, wetland, mixed conifer forest, and riparian habitat. This landscape-scale project protects four Ecological Systems of Concern and provides critical habitat for two federally listed species: the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly and the Mazama pocket gopher. These lands are also vital for recreation, offering opportunities for hunting, birding, and hiking.
Critical Habitat projects – one of 12 WWRP grant categories – are our state’s primary tool for conserving important fish and wildlife habitat. These funds play a vital role in sustaining Washington’s rich biodiversity and building climate-resilient ecosystems.
It’s equally important to acknowledge where this work takes place. The project area lies on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin, Nisqually, Cowlitz, and Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples, who have stewarded these landscapes since time immemorial. The Coalition recognizes and honors their enduring connection to this region.
Why WWRP Funding Matters
The South Sound Prairies project brings together science, funding, and community to protect some of our most precious habitats – for the animals, plants, and people who call this area home. This $8.37 million investment – 100% funded by WWRP through RCO – is proof of Washington’s commitment to preserving open space, biodiversity, and natural heritage, even as urban areas expand.
