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
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife used this grant to restore shrubsteppe habitat on two retired wheat fields totaling 120 acres in the Welch-Anderson unit of Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Decadent, non-native, crested wheatgrass was converted to a mix of native and native-like forbs and grasses to support shrubsteppe habitat that hosts several priority wildlife species, including Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, mule deer, and white-tailed jackrabbit. The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area is located eight miles south of U.S. Highway 2 in central Lincoln County, and 70 miles west of Spokane.