Conservation & Natural Areas
Natural Area Preserves, Natural Resources Conservation Areas & other lands in conservation
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How are Washington’s native plants and ecosystems doing? The 2011 Natural Heritage Plan update tackles that question
What’s been happening to the native plants and ecosystems in the state? That’s what you’ll find on the Washington Natural Heritage Program web page and in the 2011 Natural Heritage Plan update. Thirty years ago the Washington Legislature realized that… Continue reading
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May 14 guided nature walks through Mima Mounds NAP and Glacial Heritage
Prairie Appreciation Day is on May 14. What better place to celebrate than Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve (NAP)! Guided nature walks are being offered throughout the day at Mima Mounds NAP and at nearby Glacial Heritage, educational booths are set up… Continue reading
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This Saturday, join the annual ‘Women in the Woods’ to improve trails on ‘big’ and ‘little’ Mount Si
Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) is one of the many sites that Washington State DNR is celebrating during Natural Areas Appreciation Week (May 7 – 14). Two volunteer events will occur on May 14 in and around Mount Si… Continue reading
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Bring your lunch and enjoy an armchair tour of the Chehalis River Surge Plain
Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Resource Preserve (NAP) is a 2,658-acre wetland in Grays Harbor County. The area protects important sloughs for sheltering young salmon. The surge plain also supports osprey, bald eagles and Olympic mud minnows, a state Sensitive species.… Continue reading
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A few slots still available for boaters to assist on Saturday’s spartina survey at the Niawiakum
Space is limited but there still is room for a few more hearty souls interested in participating in a spartina survey on Saturday, May 14 at the Niawiakum River and Bone River Natural Area Preserves (NAPs). RSVP by calling Carlo… Continue reading
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Not just trees and waterways… DNR Natural Areas include many ecosystems
All this week, we’re highlighting DNR-managed natural areas as part of Natural Areas Appreciation Week (May 7 – 14). A small but important area is Marcellus Shrub Steppe Natural Area Preserve — a 122-acre preserve in Adams County that protects two types of… Continue reading
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Old forest site in Willapa Hills part of DNR’s natural areas system
On the 557 acres of Ellsworth Creek Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) in Pacific County are tree stands ranging in age from young to old growth (more than 200 yrs old). Elkhorn Creek and Smith Creek cross the site which… Continue reading
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Dailey Prairie celebrated during Natural Areas Appreciation week
You don’t think of prairies located at 3,200 feet in mountainous areas, but that’s only part of what makes Dailey Prairie Natural Area Preserve so special. This 229- acre site near Mt. Baker in Whatcom County protects a wetland and sphagnum bog… Continue reading
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Bats, butterflies, prairies, wildflowers… all part of Natural Areas Appreciation Week
If the evening bat walk at Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) this Tuesday night doesn’t capture your fancy, then how about Prairie Appreciation Day this Saturday at Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve (NAP)? Or, maybe a guided afternoon… Continue reading
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Natural Areas Appreciation Week starts today; will include evening bat tour
Come out to Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) north of Olympia this Tuesday evening and learn about bats from one of DNR’s natural heritage biologists. We’re hoping you’ll get to see hundreds of bats as they emerge from… Continue reading