Woodard Bay NRCA Nearshore Wetland Restoration

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

Four project areas were restored within the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area: North Lake Riparian, Chapman Bay Wetlands, Weyer Point Shoreline, and Woodard Creek Riparian. To accomplish restoration, cultural resource surveys were conducted and a restoration planting design was completed. The sites were tilled to prepare them for planting. Native plants were installed and then mulched for water retention and weed control purposes. The specific types of native plant species were selected to enhance wetland riparian and adjacent upland forest habitat characteristics. A temporary irrigation system was then installed along with fencing to protect native plants from deer browse. The sites were maintained for a period of two years. Maintenance included weed control, mowing around plantings, replacing deer fencing, and irrigation during the summer months.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Natural Resources Dept of Category: State Lands Restoration & Enhancement WWRP Grant: $298,090.38 Applicant Match: $0.00 Project Type: Restoration County: Thurston Legislative District: 22 Status: Closed Completed RCO Project # 16-1586

Location Details

The site can be accessed from downtown Olympia by travelling roughly 6 miles north on East Bay towards Boston Harbor. Turn right onto Woodard Bay Road NE.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.