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
The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) will acquire conservation easements on Badger Mountain in Douglas County, entering into voluntary agreements with three landowners. Focusing on areas identified by the Sage Grouse Initiative and NRCS as Grasslands of Special Significance, CDLT is applying for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Critical Habitat grant to acquire conservation easements on 2200 acres owned by Melody Weaver Gutzwiler, 713 acres owned by beneficiaries of the Madson Estate, and 770 acres owned by James Madson. These acquisitions will allow continued use of the land for farming and ranching, and expand the area of protection identified by WDFW as critical habitat for Greater sage-grouse, a state endangered species. These acquisitions further comply with Douglas County’s Multi-Species General Conservation Plan and are consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The WWRP grant will be matched with funding from the NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program. Acquisition of these easements will add to the Badger Mountain habitat protection of completed conservation easements on the Keane and Breiler ranches. CDLT is working to connect important properties on Badger Mountain through conservation easements that compensate landowners for the rights they are giving up and ensure that the properties stay intact for ranching and wildlife habitat.