 | | Richland, Washington | |
| | Wildlife Preserves & Refuges | | |
| | Juniper Dunes Wilderness | | The dunes wilderness preserves the northernmost growth of western juniper, some of which have been around for 150 years, along with windswept sand dunes measuring 130 feet in height and 1,000 feet in width. Other than junipers, no trees grow in significant numbers here, but many bushes and flowers bloom wondrously come spring, although the mountains that separate western and eastern Washington generally wring the moisture from the air. The landscape here takes quite a battering, in fact, with strong southwest winds to build the dunes, seven to eight inches of precipitation to moisten them, a foot or so of snow that drifts down in winter, and summer temperatures that occasionally rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. There is currently no access to the dunes. |
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| | McNary National Wildlife Refuge | | The refuge preserves a priceless diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants. McNary Refuge serves as an anchor for biodiversity and ecosystem-level conservation. Refuge bays and shorelines are critical nurseries for developing fall Chinook salmon; and passageways for endangered steelhead, sockeye, and Chinook salmon stocks. Rare and endangered birds, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, are found here, as are thousands of colonial nesting water birds using river islands for safe nesting. |
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| | Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge | | Numerous wildlife species depend upon these intact ecosystems; 43 species of fish, including threatened and endangered salmon and trout; 40 mammals; 246 birds; 4 amphibians; 9 reptiles and over 1500 invertebrates. During specified seasons hunting for various waterfowl is permitted. |
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| | Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge | | The refuge provides a nesting area for Great Basin Canada geese and several species of ducks. Mammals include mule deer, coyote, and many smaller species. Walleye, steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, crappie, and bass are found in refuge waters. 29,370 acres of marshes, sloughs, open water, cropland, and sagebrush uplands. |
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