Since completing renovations on Janis Bridge to better serve as a wildlife crossing, we’ve documented dozens of animals safely crossing Highway 97! By Matthew Brouwer, Development Director A few weeks ago we updated you on progress with the Okanagon Wildlife Crossing Campaign including protective fencing along Highway 97 and improvements to a wildlife crossing under Janis … Continued
With partners and volunteers, this year we installed a new informational kiosk, graded gravel parking area and improved road signage in the Quilomene Wildlife Area near Ellensburg. By Jay Kehne, Sagelands Program Lead Along the western edge of the Columbia River just east of Ellensburg, the Quilomene Wildlife Area offers boundless views of ridges dotted … Continued
A military training ground between Ellensburg and Yakima contains some of the best shrub-steppe habitat in the state. BY Jay Kehne, Sagelands Program Lead and Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor In central Washington lies a vast landscape with some of the most prime shrub-steppe habitat in the state. Its northern border is drawn by I-90, to … Continued
Check out our new interactive story map of our Sagelands Heritage Program. Zoom in and out, pan around, and search for specific locations! Our Sagelands Heritage Program (SHP) works to maintain, restore and connect shrub-steppe landscapes from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley to south-central Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills for the good of both wildlife and people. … Continued
Efforts are underway to restore pronghorn to Washington’s sagelands, but fences and habitat fragmentation inhibit the recovery of this native species. By Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor Over the last 15 years, I’ve made the drive from Eastern Washington to central Nevada many times with my family. One of the highlights has always been getting a … Continued
Supporters and partners helped us reach our fundraising goal for the Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign, ensuring safer passage for mule deer across Highway 97. by mitch Friedman, executive director Today, we’re thrilled to say thank you and congratulations to everyone who has supported our Okanogan Wildlife Crossing Campaign. The collective generosity of more than 570 … Continued
Working from Ellensburg, Rose uses her extensive experience as a wildlife biologist to support our work to maintain, restore and connect shrub-steppe landscapes for the good of both wildlife and people. By Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor When I started my career as a general wildlife biologist, I expected a moment of clarity that would solidify … Continued
Based in Omak and working with local groups and leaders, Jay Kehne shares why Highway 97 wildlife crossings are so important for his community. By Jay Kehne, Sagelands Program Lead Just north of my home outside the city of Omak, there’s a stretch of highway where my wife and many of my neighbors have been … Continued
By Laurel Baum, central cascades conservation associate and Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Coordinator Conservation Northwest recently hosted three habitat restoration events just east of Snoqualmie Pass to support animal use of areas near new I-90 Wildlife Crossings, and to advance objectives of our new Central Cascades Watersheds Restoration program. Volunteers did a great job pulling … Continued
By Joe Scott, International Programs Director Our Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative recently joined staff from the Boothroyd Band (Nlaka’pamux First Nation) and St’at’imc First Nation Government Services for a tour of the Nahatlatch River. The three teams are working together to recover the Critically Endangered Stein/Nahatlatch Grizzly Bear population in southern British Columbia. They spent … Continued