Conservation Northwest protects and connects old-growth forests and other wild areas from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies, vital to a healthy future for us, our children, and wildlife. Since 1989, Conservation Northwest has worke
Issue link: http://conservationnw.uberflip.com/i/893812
Pronghorn antelope are another native species largely absent from Washington's arid lands. While both the Yakama Nation and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have reintroduced small numbers of pronghorn onto their lands, widespread habitat connectivity improvements, followed by additional reintroduction and recovery programs are still needed to restore these Northwest natives. Our new Sagelands Heritage Program helps lay the groundwork for future conservation efforts like this! Photo: Chase Gunnell Wildlife are not the only ones who thrive in the nuanced beauty of the Columbia Basin. ese arid lands are also prized by hikers, wildlife watchers, hunters, anglers and others. Lo- cals and visitors alike find deep value in connecting with the land and the creatures that live here. Both people and wildlife benefit from the protection and restoration of the Colum- bia Basin. However, agricultural development has converted much of the landscape from shrub-steppe to cropland. More- over, development is increasing along with appetites for vaca- tion "ranchettes." ese changes threaten this complex ecosys- tem. Because of its disappearing habitat, the sage grouse has been listed as threatened in Washington. Challenges like this are why Conservation Northwest is now joining a collaboration with other conservation organi - zations and state and federal agencies: the Arid Lands Initia- tive. e Initiative is composed of multiple private and public entities working in Eastern Washington who benefit from co- ordinating ongoing actions. is collaborative group intends to maintain and restore habitat connectivity in the arid lands of Washington's Columbia Basin for the good of both wildlife and people. Participants in the Initiative have been working with land - owners to convert land back to its native shrub-steppe state to increase habitat connectivity. It works to ensure that existing fences are flagged to warn grouse, as well as high enough off the ground to allow pronghorn to crawl under. Projects are undertaken to remove unnecessary fencing and better allow animals like mule deer and bighorn sheep to move through the landscape. Healthy watersheds are supported where native Columbia redband rainbow trout can flourish. And the effort works to place wildlife crossings and better signage on road - ways to protect people and wildlife from vehicle collisions. Mule deer, sage grouse, and badgers are especially high on the road kill count. Working with partners will be imperative for our success in this important ecosystem. With a focus on conservation in Central Washington through a new Sagelands Heritage Pro - gram in our 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, we look forward to im- mersing ourselves more in this landscape and the Arid Lands Initiative in the years ahead. We'll be working to restore habi- tat and native wildlife, while also supporting sustainable recre- ation and thriving local communities, so that the sage grouse can continue her lek pilgrimage for many years to come. Sage grouse. These large birds are rare in Washington. Only two isolated populations remain: one in Douglas and Grant counties and another in Kittitas and Yakima counties. Photo: USFWS Keeping the Northwest wild Fall 2017 9 Feature: Arid Lands Initiative Our new Sagelands Heritage Program works to maintain, restore and connect Central Washington's shrub-steppe landscapes for the good of both wildlife and people. Priority species include sage grouse, bighorn sheep, mule deer, pygmy rabbits and short-eared owls.