Category Overview
The State Lands Restoration and Enhancement category provides funding to two state agencies to help repair damaged plant and animal habitat. These grants focus on resource preservation and protection of public lands. Projects in this category help bring important natural areas and resources back to their original functions by improving the self sustaining and ecological functionality of sites.
Project Highlights
The Department of Fish and Wildlife will use this grant to restore approximately 212 acres at Methow and Sinlahekin Wildlife Areas in Okanogan County. This project will restore historic dry-land agricultural fields to native shrub-steppe vegetation. These two wildlife areas provide vital habitat for shrub-steppe obligate species such as Sage Thrashers, Sagebrush Sparrows, Loggerhead Shrikes, Sagebrush Lizards, and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. Additionally, these areas are frequented by the state’s largest migratory mule deer herd due to the high-quality winter range habitat. The primary habitat restored through this grant is shrub-steppe.