Category Overview
Urban Wildlife Habitat projects fund close-to-home places to play and explore nature. As our urban areas are increasingly expanding and densifying, these grants protect important fish and wildlife habitat within five miles of densely populated areas, creating green refuges that help keep our ecosystems healthy and provide places to enjoy nature right in our backyards.
Project Highlights
Pierce County proposes to purchase a 10-acre easement to conserve remnant prairie habitat, with an option to purchase an additional 6 acres as additional grant funding becomes available. The project site is located on the south campus of Pacific Lutheran University, situated west of Pacific Hwy, south of SR-512, and east of McCord AFB, in the Parkland community of Pierce County. The property has been targeted as it is known to contain soils that support Puget Sound Prairie habitat, a Priority Habitat and important to many Priority Habitat Species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (including state and federally listed threatened/endangered species), and its geographic position in relation to other protected/managed prairies. Additionally, the site provides opportunities to connect people with nature by providing respite green space in a highly urbanized area. Support educational opportunities for the university and adjacent local schools, and continue to support tribal activities, teaching, and learning opportunities. This project is a cooperative project with Pacific Lutheran University, JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, Pierce County, EcoStudies, a non-profit conservation organization, and supported by area tribes.