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
Several agencies and organizations in addition to the project sponsor are committed to restoration and conservation of south Puget Sound prairie communities including the the Washington Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Lewis, and Thurston County Parks. The Nature Conservancy, with the assistance of several partners, drafted the South Puget Sound Prairies Site Conservation Plan to serve as the basis for future conservation and restoration efforts. This regional plan highlights the proposed project as of the highest priority. The project sponsor was unsuccessful in the acquisition component of the project; no acres were added to the prairie and oak woodland reserves at the Mima Mounds work site. Public access and restoration activities were completed at the West Rocky Prairie work site. Acquisition incidental costs associated with project #00-1428 are also included.