Conservation & Natural Areas

Natural Area Preserves, Natural Resources Conservation Areas & other lands in conservation

  • Happy National Walking Day; where should you go?

    For National Walking Day, we have two exciting natural areas that are great for a 30-minute walk. Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area Woodard Bay NRCA,  nestled in South Puget Sound near Olympia, protects native shoreline habitat, much to the… Continue reading

  • Hawks, deer and more on display in the wild today

    After watching the Seahawks play this morning, you may want to get outdoors yourself to try and catch a glimpse of one of the real hawks of the sea. Osprey, also known as sea hawks, are among the wildlife to watch… Continue reading

  • Land purchase conserves area near Mailbox Peak

    It takes a village to conserve land that was headed toward development. DNR and its partners did just that. Joined by The Trust for Public Land, King County, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, DNR has conserved 82 acres of… Continue reading

  • Something fishy: AmeriCorps crews work with DNR

    The next AmeriCorps year starts on Monday and DNR has reason to celebrate. In partnership with many Washington state agencies, conservation crews with the Washington Conservation Corps and Puget Sound Corps will begin another year of valuable service caring for… Continue reading

  • Working for Conservation Corps is working for DNR, and Washington

    This Labor Day, we’re celebrating how Washington Conservation Corps and Puget Sound Conservation Corps crews use valuable work on DNR-managed lands to launch them into Washington’s workforce and careers. Corps members gain experience while helping to fill a variety of needs – from working… Continue reading

  • Road graders add to this summer’s scene at Cattle Point

    Summer brings scenic and historic Cattle Point Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) a wide range of unique sights. Joining the more than 40 species of butterflies, 160 species of birds and 150 species of native plants, are excavators and road… Continue reading

  • A boost for the Morning Star Natural Resources Conservation Area

    The terrain around Lake Stickney is rugged to say the least. No roads lead into the area and the site ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 feet in elevation. With steep slopes, high quality forest habitat, and numerous trees more than an century-and-a-half… Continue reading

  • Road graders add to this summer’s scene at Cattle Point

    Spring and summer bring scenic and historic Cattle Point Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) a wide range of unique sights. Joining the more than 40 species of butterflies, 160 species of birds and 150 species of native plants this year,… Continue reading

  • Noxious weeds – we don’t want ‘em

    We’re being invaded! By noxious weeds and invasive plants, that is. Each year, landowners and public agencies in Washington state spend millions of dollars to control or eradicate these invaders, which can seriously damage our native species and ecosystems. What’s… Continue reading

  • Students become good allies to the forest

    Toledo Middle School students in Lewis County have not only planted native berry shrubs, but they also learned how to restore habitat with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. In a two-day effort (inside the classroom and outside), Toledo’s… Continue reading