Birds, Plants, Wildlife, Greenways and Preserves, and Refuges in the Tri-Cities Washington Region
Resources about birds, plants, wildlife, greenways and preserves, and refuges are provided in this section for Tri-Cities Washington and other nearby communities in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon.
A Western Screech Owl outside my window...
Plants and Wildlife
Animals and Plants of Southeastern Washington is an excellent reference on plants and wildlife in this region and covers wildlife areas, refuges and parks.Flora of the Inland Pacific Northwest, formerly known as Central Washington Native Plants, offers a photo gallery of over 300 of the more common plants of Central Washington. This photographic collection includes descriptions of the species, distribution, habitat, morphology, and ethnobotanical uses.
The Washington Native Plant Society, Columbia Basin Chapter serves the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla area and hosts several field trip events.
In addition, the society offers a free downloadable guide titled "The Natural Way to Grow: Gardening with Native Plants of Eastern Washington" (PDF).
Audubon Societies
Several Audubon Societies serve this region and include:The Lower Columbian Basin Audubon Society maintains the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Nature Trail which consists of eight acres in central Columbia Park between State Highway 240 and the Columbia River in Kennewick. To get there, take State Route 240 to Edison Street in Kennewick and follow the signs to the park.
Burrowing OwlCam in the Tri-Cities
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has placed a webcam in the Tri-Cities for viewers to watch Burrowing Owls. Go to the OwlCam page and select the "View Cam" link.
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival
Watch the Sandhill Cranes at the annual three day Othello Sandhill Crane Festival. This festival began in 1998 and occurs towards the end of March.
Walla Walla Bird Aviary
Visit the Walla Walla Bird Aviary at Pioneer Park in Walla Walla. This aviary is home to about 200 exotic birds.
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is promoting the creation of Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries. An information packet is available for five dollars.
Open Space Coalition of Benton and Franklin Counties
The Open Space Coalition of Benton and Frankin Counties (OSFBF) promotes land use that sustains our great outdoors and community spirit. The coalition was formed in 2006 to provide a forum for coordinating and maximizing the effectiveness of groups and individuals with common principles who are working on natural open space and open space-related missions. Partnerships include:
Greenways and Preserves in the Tri-Cities and Yakima
Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve
The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve is maintained by Friends of Badger Mountain. This group is lobbying to preserve local ridges for their scenic view and as open space. In their preservation efforts of Badger Mountain, two trails were created. The 1.1 mile Canyon Trail is for hikers while the 2.2 mile Skyline Trail is for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.The initial effort to preserve Badger Mountain was a joint project of the Inter-Mountain Alpine Club and the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society.
JackRabbit Ridge (JRR) Preservation Natural Area
The JackRabbit Ridge (JRR) Preservation Natural Area is a shrub-steppe and riparian native habitat located in the rural "urban wildlands island" between the cities of Richland and West Richland. The JRR Preservation Project, a volunteer community effort, is underway to preserve this open space for educational, research and muscle-powered recreational activities.
Tapteal Greenway
The Tapteal Greenway Association has the mission of protecting native habitats and species through conservation and enhancing recreational opportunities throughout a 30-mile corridor along and including the Yakima River extending from Kiona Bend at Benton City to the mouth of the river at Bateman Island in Richland. Many park trails and several boat launches have been constructed in this area by this association.
Yakima Greenway
The Yakima Greenway Foundation conserves, enhances and maintains the Yakima Greenway as a continuing living resource for future generations. The foundation boasts ten miles of paved pathway, three parks, two fishing lakes, and four river access landings.
Friends of the Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges
The Friends of the Mid Columbia River Wildlife Refuges fosters understanding, appreciation and conservation of native fish, wildlife and plants located at Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuges and assists USF&WS in providing opportunities and programs for environmental education and interpretation, and for wildlife-dependent recreation.This organization maintains the McNary National Wildlife Refuge Education Center located in Burbank, WA.
Refuges
The Mid-Columbia River Natural Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex includes eight refuges and the Hanford Reach National Monument. The administrative offices are located at the McNary NWR, Burbank, Washington. The refuges located in this region are:
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Nation
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Nation has a wildlife, range, and vegetation resources management program that seeks to protect, restore, and enhance the ecosystem integrity and traditional use of wildlife and other natural resources while supporting a culturally and economically strong, self-governing Sovereign Nation.
Washington Wildlife Viewing Guides
The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife offers Wildlife Viewing Guides including one for the Columbia Basin/Southeastern Washington and the Yakima Area regions.
Oregon Wildlife Visitor Guides
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife offers a Visitor's Guide to Wildlife Areas & Hatcheries including one for the Irrigon Wildlife Area and the Willow Creek Wildlife Area (Pendleton).
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that protects habitat and creates new local and state parks. You may conduct a "My Backyard" search for projects in your community.For example, view the list of projects funded since 1990 for Kennewick, Moses Lake, Richland, Walla Walla, and Yakima.