This proposal is to acquire property which provides extremely critical habitat for a variety of endangered, threatened, and candidate species, including Bald eagles (winter roost) and Sandhill cranes (staging area). The project area is comprised of over 70% wetlands and is considered a unique and invaluable area by amphibian experts. It contains the most viable of only four known Washington populations of the Oregon Spotted Frog, a state endangered and federal candidate species. This wetland system is part of the Pacific Flyway, and supports a large number of neotropical migratory birds. The project area is also important wintering habitat for black-tailed deer, and is part of an essential movement corridor for a large elk herd and is used for wintering, spring foraging and calving.
A variety of other wildlife species use the area, including black bear, river otter, coyotes, beaver, small mammals and amphibians. Resident trout use the creek and marsh channels. One of the two largest populations of the rare pale blue-eyed grass (federal candidate species) and the largest population of the rare Pulsifers monkey-flower known to occur in the state are found here. Proposed development is for an educational wildlife viewing trail.
