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
Columbia Land Trust will acquire in fee simple approximately 2,700 acres. The site straddles the Wild and Scenic Klickitat River from river mile 37.5 to 38.5 and includes 1.7 miles of two major tributaries – Summit and White Creeks. Its unusual topographic and ecological diversity includes a mosaic of dry and moist mixed conifer forests, oak woodlands, aspen, freshwater wetlands, steep canyons, talus slopes and Riparian Protection and river habitats. The primary habitat that will be protected includes Riparian Protection and upland, benefiting a diverse array of fish and wildlife species including at least 15 federally listed or species of concern and 21 state listed and candidate species, such as Western gray squirrel and Northern spotted owl. It also supports numerous migratory game species, including mule deer, black-tailed deer, elk, mountain goat and big-horned sheep.