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
This project involved the purchase of 3700 acres to protect the Elk River estuary, which is the largest, highest quality estuarine system remaining in either Washington or Oregon. This site in Grays Harbor County includes four types of high quality salt marshes and resulting habitat and recreation opportunities.