Category Overview
Conserving land along our waterways protects important habitat and helps keep our rivers healthy, clean, and more resilient to drought. Riparian Protection projects conserve and restore fresh and saltwater habitat while protecting fish habitat. In doing so, the grants help provide our families, farms, and fisheries with clean water across the state.
Project Highlights
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to protect 68.22 acres, 90% of which are undeveloped riparian, wetland, & tideland habitats, within the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) boundary. The NRCA is located north of Olympia in Thurston County & was designated by the legislature in 1987 to protect a diverse array of salt & freshwater habitats & wildlife species near one the state’s faster growing urban areas. DNR’s goal is to acquire the proposed Priority Properties in fee for permanent protection in the NRCA. Few habitats equivalent to the NRCA exist in south Puget Sound. It protects 21 priority species & 9 state-listed priority habitats, including fresh deepwater & Puget Sound nearshore. Species directly benefited by DNR’s proposal include bald eagles, harbor seals, Olympia oysters, & great blue herons. The largest known maternity bat colony in the state roosts under the pier in Henderson Inlet & forages over freshwater wetlands, such as those proposed for acquisition. The properties also serve to connect habitat for nesting & roosting birds & enhance water quality for salmonids utilizing Henderson Inlet & Woodard Creek, including the Federally Threatened fall Chinook & winter steelhead, fall chum, Coho, & resident coastal cutthroat. The NRCA provides environmental education & research opportunities, with frequent visits from K-12 students & higher education classes. Property acquisition will also allow for expanded education & public access.