Conservation & Natural Areas
Natural Area Preserves, Natural Resources Conservation Areas & other lands in conservation
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New grants help collaboratives restore forest health, fire resilience
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is empowering communities to tackle important forest health issues with two new grant programs. These programs, which support DNR’s 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, aim to create forests that are resilient to wildfires,… Continue reading
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Blanchard State Forest Purchase Secures Scenic Vistas, School Funding
The Blanchard Forest Strategy is one step closer to full completion. The plan, funded to completion by legislators last year, calls for the conservation of the 1,600-acre central portion of the state forest in Skagit County, with the Washington State… Continue reading
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Conservation connects public lands for trail connections and wildlife corridors along I-90
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently acquired 24 acres of land in the Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area. Rattlesnake Mountain provides an important connection between the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound lowlands by protecting critical wildlife corridors… Continue reading
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Discover Teanaway: Developing a Recreation Plan for the State’s First Community Forest
Teanaway Recreation Plan nears completion, outlines opportunity for motorized and non-motorized use in community forest. Continue reading
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Firefighters learn how to conduct prescribed burns, one of several tools to protect our forests and communities
CLE ELUM – A group of firefighters and foresters stood outside a home earlier this week and sketched out a hypothetical plan for setting controlled fires to the homeowner’s 20-acre property. They gathered around trainer Ray Guse to learn about… Continue reading
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New trails, new crag access—We’re celebrating National Public Lands Day right
DNR opens new recreation opportunities on National Public Lands Day with the new Dirty Harry’s Peak Trail and Far Side Climbing Area in the Snoqualmie Valley. Continue reading
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Blanchard State Forest reaches final phase of collaborative conservation project
Blanchard State Forest reaches a milestone after 12 years of collaborative work to put a 1,600-acre core zone into conservation status. The Legislature has secured $16.5 million for the acquisition of replacment lands. Continue reading
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DNR and Tribes: A Year in Review
DNR works to ensure management of state-owned and other significant lands is done in collaboration with the federally recognized tribes of Washington State. The agency is engaging tribes on an ongoing basis at all levels – from the highest leadership… Continue reading
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DNR Partners With Navy To Protect Hood Canal
Hood Canal – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Navy entered into an agreement that creates a “restrictive easement” along 32 miles of Hood Canal’s eastern shore. The easement, which covers 2,481 acres of aquatic bedlands, prohibits new… Continue reading
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Natural features that define our state
How would you go about inventorying the species and ecosystems in Washington state? Or determining conservation priorities? At the DNR Natural Heritage Program, working with our citizen advisors on the Washington State Natural Heritage Advisory Council, we’ve been documenting the… Continue reading
