Cougar Mtn – Squak Mtn Wildlife Corridor

Category Overview

Urban Wildlife Habitat projects fund close-to-home places to play and explore nature. As our urban areas are increasingly expanding and densifying, these grants protect important fish and wildlife habitat within five miles of densely populated areas, creating green refuges that help keep our ecosystems healthy and provide places to enjoy nature right in our backyards.

Project Highlights

Issaquah will use this grant to buy 40 acres of forested property in the Cougar Mountain-Squak Mountain Wildlife Corridor. The property is in the middle of Issaquah’s Talus Natural Area, King County Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, and the 6,365-acre Squak Mountain State Park. The wildlife corridor provides a natural area for animals to move between Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park to the west and Squak Mountain State Park to the east. These larger natural areas are home to a variety of wildlife including black bears, cougars, deer, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and Neotropical songbirds.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Issaquah City of Category: Urban Wildlife Habitat WWRP Grant: $496,937.15 Applicant Match: $1,307,938.57 Project Type: Acquisition County: King Legislative District: 5 Status: Closed Completed RCO Project # 06-1749

Location Details

City of Issaquah: From I-90; take Exit #15 (SR 900); turn south onto SR 900; turn left at Newport Way; turn right onto 12th Avenue NW; turn right Mt. Olympus Drive SW which turns into Mt. Park Blvd.; turn right onto Mountainside Drive, follow to top; turn right onto Squak Mt. Loop; turn right on Sierra Court, park at the end of the cul-de-sac.

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.