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 Natural Area Preserve is one of the largest intact prairie sites left in western Washington and includes the last, best example of mounded prairie in the state. The prairie and oak habitats on the site support populations of a number of prairie-dependent butterflies and birds, including the Valley silverspot, Oregon branded skipper, western meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. Mima Mounds is also a high priority location for re-introduction of other imperiled prairie species such as the Mardon skipper butterfly and golden paintbrush. The Department of Natural Resources used this funding to purchase a total of 112.92 acres of oak woodland, prairie, and riparian habitat to add to the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve in 2 different transactions. The Westbrook acquisitions consisted of parcels 1 through 5 that were appraised with individual values for each parcel. DNR then acquired the Westbrook properties in two phases due to parcel 5 needing a Boundary Line Adjustment prior to acquisition. Westbrook Phase 1 was comprised of parcels 1-4 and Phase 2 was comprised of parcel 5, which required a BLA to the 59.9+/- acre parcel, where the landowner retained 20.13 aces for the home site. DNR preformed some weed control on all properties with the majority being on parcel 5 in the Phase 2 acquisition. In addition, DNR tried to acquire the Bell property, however the appraised value was significantly lower than the landowner was willing to accept and they declined DNR’s offer. There are additional private properties that are within Natural Areas boundary that DNR contacted about selling, however none of the current owners expressed interest in selling at this time.