Clark County plans to purchase up to 160 acres near the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge in an effort to expand protection efforts for native species in the area.
The purchase is being funded by an estimated $1.1 million from the county’s conservation futures fund and a $1.1 million grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation — Urban Wildlife Habitat program.
The purchase was announced Monday by a press release from county Environmental Services Director Don Benton.
“This area, in and around the refuge, represents one of the most important ecosystems in Southwest Washington” Benton said in the release. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity and support for conserving some of the open space under our legacy lands program.”
The press release states more than 30 species native to Clark County will be protected under the plan to purchase the land. The location of the purchase is east of Lake River near the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, along Flume Creek south of Ridgefield.
