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
The Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to acquire two private parcels totaling 126 acres for inclusion in the Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve. This natural area contains high quality freshwater wetland ecosystems and supports a large population of the state endangered and federally threatened Oregon spotted frog. This site also is a nesting and foraging area for the state endangered Greater Sandhill crane. Several rare plants are also found in the seasonally wet meadows and adjacent oak woodlands. These acquisitions will permanently protect the remaining privately-owned Oregon spotted frog breeding habitat in the Trout Lake watershed, preventing future habitat loss and ensuring continuous monitoring of breeding populations. The primary conservation opportunity provided by this project is increased protection for the preserve and its conservation targets and also provides exceptional opportunities for scientific research and environmental education for local school groups and members of the public.