Working for Wildlife, a decade-long regional initiative to protect wildlife movement between the North Cascades and the Kettle River Range, wrapped up in 2023 with a legacy that will benefit both wildlife and working lands for years to come.
Background
Working for Wildlife was a coalition of local agencies, nonprofits, and researchers focused on preserving and enhancing connectivity for wildlife movement between the North Cascades and the Kettle River Range. Partners in the project included the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Northwest, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Okanogan Conservation District, the Mule Deer Foundation, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the initiative spanned 10 years and combined on-the-ground habitat work, targeted restoration, and permanent land protection. The initiative wrapped up in 2023.
Core Work
Focused on preserving and enhancing connectivity for wildlife movement between the North Cascades and the Kettle River Range.
Species Focus
- Mule deer
- Canada lynx
- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse
Connecting Landscapes for Key Species
Over the course of the project, partners carried out habitat restoration on both public and private lands, reintroduced Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and Canada lynx to key areas, and decommissioned roads in sensitive habitats to reduce disturbance and fragmentation. The initiative also protected thousands of acres, including working ranchlands, through conservation easements that keep land in private ownership while safeguarding its conservation values.
Key Outcomes
- Habitat restoration on public and private lands
- Reintroduction of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and Canada lynx
- Decommissioning of roads in sensitive wildlife areas
- Permanent protection of working lands and habitat through conservation easements
A Future Wildlife Crossing on Highway 97
One lynchpin property secured through the effort anchors the east side of a planned future wildlife underpass on Highway 97. Located in a high-collision stretch of road, this property will help create a safer crossing point for deer, moose, and other animals moving through the Tunk and Chewiliken Valleys, reducing vehicle collisions and maintaining critical movement routes.
One Last Gift
In 2024, acquisition funding remaining in the NFWF grant provided one last gift: the Synarep Rangeland Conservation Easement, protecting over 3,000 acres of working rangeland, intact shrubsteppe grassland, and sharp-tailed grouse habitat.
