Habitat Restoration
Through collaborative restoration, invasive species control, and post fire recovery, we work with partners to rebuild healthy landscapes and reconnect critical habitat across the interior Northwest.
Our Approach
Restoring shrub steppe habitat to support species movement and long term ecosystem resilience.
We work with Conservation Districts, Tribes, private landowners, and agency partners to recover and reconnect the habitats that mule deer, pronghorn, badgers, burrowing owls, sage grouse, and other focal species depend on. Through on the ground restoration, wetland improvements, invasive species control, and strategic planning, we’re rebuilding the ecological foundation of the sagelands.
Current Focus
Work We’re Doing to Achieve Habitat Restoration Goals
Ecosystem Restoration
Habitat restoration efforts focus on rebuilding the native shrub steppe plant communities that support species such as sage grouse, sharp tailed grouse, mule deer, and pygmy rabbits.
Staff work with Tribes, Conservation Districts, landowners, and agencies to replant sagebrush, restore riparian areas, control invasive species, and stabilize soils after wildfire. Projects often include installing beaver dam analogs, planting native shrubs and trees, and improving grazing management to allow vegetation to recover.
These actions help re-establish the structure and function of shrub steppe ecosystems, which have been heavily degraded by fire, development, and invasive grasses.
Connectivity-Focused Restoration
The program also prioritizes restoration in places where improved habitat will strengthen regional connectivity.
Staff use mapping, field assessments, and partner input to identify strategic sites where restoration can reconnect fragmented landscapes or support recovering wildlife populations. Community volunteers and local partners play a key role in monitoring progress and maintaining restored areas.
Through this combination of science-based planning, on-the-ground work, and long-term stewardship, the program is helping rebuild resilient shrub steppe ecosystems across the interior Northwest.
Impact & Results
A History of Habitat Restoration
Habitat restoration in eastern Washington and central Washington has focused on rebuilding shrub steppe, improving riparian areas, and supporting post-fire recovery. Through partnerships and long-term coordination, the program has helped strengthen regional resilience across working and wild lands.
Restoring riparian shrub steppe with innovative techniques
Supporting post fire restoration across eastern and central Washington
Strengthening long term restoration through WSRRI leadership
Restoring riparian shrub steppe with innovative techniques
In 2019, SHP hosted hands on workshops at the Big Bend Wildlife Area and Foster Creek, where experts from NRCS and Anabranch Consulting trained more than 60 participants in building beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and Zeedyk structures. These installations are still functioning today, improving riparian shrub steppe habitat. SHP continues to host and attend tours that highlight the restoration successes led by Conservation Districts and partners in Foster Creek, Douglas County.
Supporting post fire restoration across eastern and central Washington
After the 2020 wildfires that burned nearly 400,000 acres of shrub steppe, SHP helped launch the Washington Shrub Steppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI), a legislatively funded effort to support landowners and wildlife recovery. Staff assisted WDFW, DNR, and the Conservation Commission by serving on recovery panels, providing on the ground support, and helping identify lands and landowners in need of funding for wildlife friendly fencing, deferred grazing, and habitat restoration.
Strengthening long term restoration through WSRRI leadership
SHP continues to contribute staff time to local Conservation Districts during project selection and implementation, and supports WSRRI by evaluating restoration programs and advising on future direction. This ongoing involvement helps ensure that funding and restoration actions are directed toward priority connectivity habitats across all landownerships.
Impact & Results
Our Key Accomplishments for Habitat Restoration
From protecting critical landscapes to advancing collaborative forest restoration, these efforts deliver lasting benefits for wildlife, habitat connectivity, and climate resilience.
Connectivity Funding
Securing a Three-Year NFWF Grant for Landscape-Scale Restoration
In 2025, the program secured a three-year National Fish & Wildlife Foundation connectivity grant to support the Twisp Uplands Ecological Restoration Project, advancing upland and riparian plantings, beaver-based restoration, and improved grazing management to benefit mule deer, beavers, badgers, songbirds, and other shrub steppe species.
Priority Site Restoration
Advancing Habitat Recovery at Spiva Butte and Key Landscapes
Since the early 2020s, the program has advanced habitat restoration at Spiva Butte and other priority sites, supporting reseeding, sagebrush recovery, fence removal, and collaborative work with partners such as the Chelan Douglas Land Trust.
Fence Removal & Access
Improving Landscape Connectivity Through Barbed Wire Removal
Habitat Restoration News
Sagelands Heritage Program conserves critical wildlands
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Media & Archive Resources