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
Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) is applying for WWRP-Critical Habitat to fund a fee title acquisition project for a 327.49-acre property owned by Hartmut Stecher of 933 Payne Hollow Road, Dayton, WA, 99382. The goal of the project is to protect in perpetuity the unique conservation values of the property and provide public access for low-impact recreation, research, and education. 13 miles of hiking trials and 6 miles of cross-county ski trails have been constructed with 2 more miles planned. The property has a diverse mix of eastside steppe (an S1-S2 priority habitat), moist mixed ponderosa pine, and riverine habitat. The property is a regional biodiversity corridor and contiguous with the 8,441-acre CTUIR’s Rainwater Wildlife Area. There are 11 documented Species of Greatest Conservation need, including the state endangered gray wolf. Furthermore, the property has a breeding pair of great gray owls, which are an exceptionally rare bird; WDFW estimates that there are only 100 individuals in the state, making this property exceedingly important for the species. BMLT has a history of protecting impactful lands for conservation and connecting people to nature. The transaction will be a bargain sale and the current landowners will maintain a life estate. To assist the landowners with their stewardship, Blue Mountain Land Trust will leverage its volunteer program, Blues Crew, and BMLT stewardship program staff to help the landowners maintain or improve the property.