Bald Restoration at Beacon Rock State Park

Category Overview

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.

Project Highlights

State Parks will use this grant to restore 11 of the 32 acres of balds along the Hamilton Mountain Trail in Beacon Rock State Park in the Columbia River Gorge. The Washington Natural Heritage Program lists the north Pacific herbaceous balds and bluffs as vulnerable. They are characterized by rich and unusual collections of plant species and often support populations of special status species. The balds along the trail have been damaged by trampling, erosion, and weeds. State Parks will restore the balds during a project to redevelop the trail. State Parks will control invasive plants, close social trails, and seed and plant the area with native bald species. State Parks also will develop management plans for special status species and interpretive signs and materials.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: State Parks Category: State Lands Restoration & Enhancement WWRP Grant: $92,000.00 Applicant Match: $0.00 Project Type: Restoration County: Skamania Legislative District: 14 Status: Active RCO Project # 20-1590

Location Details

From Vancouver, WA, follow Highway 14 to Beacon Rock State Park. Turn left into the park at the second entrance and follow the park road to the Hamilton Mt. trailhead. Hike the trail to the balds. Alternatively make arrangements with park staff to drive you to the Saddle, the northernmost part of the balds, and hike to the work site.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.