Category Overview
Critical Habitat projects are our state’s primary tool for conserving important fish and wildlife habitat. These projects protect the rich and diverse habitats in our forests, prairies, and wetlands. These funds help maintain our state’s biodiversity and protect species that are popular for hunting, birding, and other outdoor recreation, and are critical for the health of our salmon and fish populations.
Project Highlights
In August 2022, WDFW acquired the +/- 21 acre Rendezvous East (Sullivan) property, which was an inholding in the Rendezvous Unit of the Methow Wildlife Area. In August 2022, WDFW also acquired the +/- 199.48 acre Rendezvous West (Johnson Ranchlands) property. The West property is on the northern edge of the Big Valley Unit of the Methow Wildlife Area and is immediately bounded by USFS and DNR property to the north. These acquisitions create protected habitat corridors through and across the Methow River Valley between federally protected land to the east, north and west. The acquisitions protect sagebrush-steppe and ponderosa pine woodland habitats for the benefit mule deer, gray wolves, fishers, grizzly bears and multiple other species.