DESCRIPTION
The Heernett Environmental Foundation will use this grant to buy and protect 29 acres of white oak habitat along .5 mile of Scatter Creek. The creek is used by coho, cutthroat, chum, Chinook and steelhead. The property is home to a diverse array of wildlife both in the water and on land, and features mature vegetation along a healthy and productive stream. Protecting this reach of Scatter Creek will contribute to restoring salmon species in this ecosystem by continuing to provide cool, clear and clean water into the Chehalis River, helping to keep the overall temperatures of the Chehalis River lower. If not acquired, this land likely will be developed for houses. The foundation will contribute $45,000 in donated property interest.
The Heernet Environmental Foundation purchased and protected 34 acres of mature white oak riparian habitat spanning three-quarters of a mile of Scatter Creek in southern Thurston County. This reach of Scatter Creek supports all life stages of coho, cutthroat, chum, Chinook, and steelhead. Scatter Creek flows into the Chehalis River and discharges an abundant amount of cool water into the Chehalis, helping to lower the overall temperatures of the Chehalis. The protected properties are biologically diverse in both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and feature ecologically functioning hydrological soils and mature riparian vegetation along a healthy and productive stream reach. This project also protected 12 acre-feet of water rights which were transferred to the Department of Ecology's water trust program.
