Several organizations have been awarded nearly $5 million in state grant funding for projects to build or maintain outdoor recreation facilities, conserve habitat and preserve farms and forests in Clark County.
The state Recreation and Conservation Office announced Clark County’s allotment as part of $116 million grant package that will fund 276 different projects around the state.
These grants are important to strengthen Washington’s economy and retain a way of life, Gov. Jay Inslee said in a news release. “They will build parks, trails and boating facilities, and conserve working farms and critical wildlife habitat — all the things that make Washington a great place to live, work and operate a business.”
The Washington Department of Natural Resources was given $2.6 million to purchase about 167 acres of wet prairie landscape northeast of Vancouver. According to a project description from DNR, the property is a top priority due to fast-paced development and urbanization in Clark County and because it supports the second-largest of 20 known populations of Bradshaw’s lomatium, a globally critically imperiled, federally listed endangered plant species. It also contains habitat for five state sensitive plant species and the rare, slender-billed white-breasted nuthatch.
The DNR was also awarded $1.3 million to buy about 180 acres east of Washougal at the western edge of the Columbia River Gorge to expand the Washougal Oaks Natural Area. The land is part of the largest native oak woodland habitat remaining in Western Washington. It supports two state-level sensitive plant species and two rare or threatened animals, the slender-billed nuthatch, and lower Columbia River steelhead. The purchase is part of a larger project to protect oak woodland and other species from development and invasive plants.
The DNR was awarded $350,000 to build 4 miles of new trails designed for off-road vehicles in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. The funds will pay for materials, equipment rentals, and the construction of three new bridges. The agency will also give $240,000 in materials and volunteer labor.
The DNR also got $120,000 to fund nonmotorized trail maintenance and improvements in Southwest Washington. The department will also contribute $120,000 in equipment, labor, material and labor donations.
The Columbia Land Trust was awarded $350,000 to conserve nearly 360 acres of forestlands in northeast Clark County on the East Fork Lewis River and Rock Creek. Some of the land in the area was zoned prior to current regulations and was thus available for residential development. However, the grant will ensure the land continues to be managed as a working forest by preventing fragmentation and future development on the project site. The Land Trust will also contribute $434,000 from a local grant.
King’s Way Christian Schools got a $240,000 grant to renovate two grass soccer fields and a multi-use artificial turf track and field in Vancouver. The two soccer fields in the east are currently not fenced and the orientation of the field itself needs to be changed.
Also, the track and field area doesn’t have enough bleachers, nor does it have shot put and discus pads. According to a project description, improving the fields will increase youth participation to more than 3,800 athletes. King’s Way will also contribute $240,000 in donations of cash and labor.
Clark County was also included in projects that featured multiple counties.
For example, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission was awarded $1 million to buy high-priority lands alongside or within state park boundaries as the opportunities present themselves.
The DNR was also given a combined $260,000 to maintain facilities and trails in the Yacolt Burn and Capitol state forests.
