Hop in the winter search for pygmy rabbit activity. EPHRATA, WA – If you are east of the Cascades, consider joining the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and our Sagelands Heritage Program on the search for pygmy rabbit. Pygmy rabbit, named after its tiny size, has both state and federal Endangered status. It … Continued
The future of this beautiful place and critical habitat corridor depends on you! Your urgent gift could make the difference in our Cascades to Rockies Capital Campaign. The foreground of that photo, taken by Justin Haug, a WDFW wildlife biologist, is critical sage steppe habitat comprising the historic Figlenski Ranch, in the Tunk Valley of central Okanogan County. … Continued
More than 80 percent of Washington’s sagelands have already been lost. Help us protect this fragile ecosystem before it’s too late by making a donation or renewing your membership! By Mitch Friedman, Executive Director The beauty of shrub-steppe may be more subtle than our majestic Northwest forests, but once you get up close, you realize … Continued
2021 Fire Dispatch #1: Wildfire perilously close to burning lek sites for endangered sage grouse near Badger Mountain *Editor’s Note: During the big wildfires that burned across eastern Washington in 2015, we published a series of”dispatches” from our staff living and working in communities affected by fire. As 2021’s fire season as gotten off to … Continued
To protect critical wildlands and connect two great mountain ranges, we’re raising $4.75 million to purchase protection for 9,243 acres in Okanogan County By Mitch Friedman, Executive Director I’m excited to introduce you to our new Cascades to Rockies Capital Campaign, one of the most innovative and impactful efforts Conservation Northwest has ever undertaken. Through … Continued
Fence removal efforts in central Washington near Ellensburg support the seasonal movements of migratory shrub-steppe species. By Keiko Betcher, Communications and Outreach Associate For large mammals such as elk and mule deer, and for other sagelands species like burrowing owls and sage-grouse, fences are often a dead end—especially old, unneeded, barbed-wire fences. Some species, like … Continued
Editor’s Note: Living and working in Omak in north-central Washington, Jay Kehne is no stranger to wildfires, and sadly, this is not the first time that he’s watched large fires burn around his community, or sheltered human and animal refugees at his home. We’re grateful to have Jay’s knowledge, generosity and decades of experience in … Continued
Two maps of cropland throughout Washington’s Sagelands show how constricted this area is for wildlife moving through the landscape. By Keiko Betcher, Communications and Outreach Associate Washington’s arid shrub-steppe has a subtle beauty home to dozens of delicate species, some found nowhere else in the state. While mule deer and elk frequently move through this … Continued
Connecting the North Cascades and the Rocky Mountains through habitat corridors, wildlife crossings, forest restoration and wilderness protection. By Chase Gunnell, Communications Directors “As the climate changes, big landscape-level connections are essential. For nearly 20 years, we’ve been trying to bridge together the Cascades to the Rockies, to protect the habitat corridor,” – Mitch Friedman, … 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