Category Overview
As Washington continues to grow, many of our most beautiful areas are threatened with development. In addition, native ecosystems are receding, and important wildlife habitat and migratory pathways are being cut off. The Natural Areas category helps combat this by funding projects that protect wildlife habitat and rare geological features while also preserving public access for back-country recreation.
Project Highlights
The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to acquire approximately 1,513 acres of shrub-steppe habitat in DNR trust land for inclusion in the Upper Dry Gulch Natural Area Preserve. This natural area preserve was established in 1989 to protect a rare endemic plant species, Whited’s milkvetch (Astragalus sinuatus). The entire global distribution of this species consists of less than 9 square miles centered around the existing NAP. This acquisition will result in protection of at least 95% of the Whited’s milkvetch population at this site. The primary conservation opportunity provided by this project is increased protection for this extremely rare plant community, as well as exceptional opportunities for scientific research and environmental education for local school groups and the public.