Toutle Ridge Fen Natural Area Preserve

A photo of a green fen in a forest on a sunny day
Toutle Ridge Fen NAP totals 166 acres and protects an exemplary example of a montane fen which supports five rare plant associations and two rare plants, including the southern-most population of few-flowered sedge (Carex pauciflora) in western North America. The preserve also provides habitat for native amphibians, mammals and resident and migratory songbirds. The site exemplifies the species diversity typically found in montane fens in the West Cascades ecoregion.

Features Protected: Sedge (Sitka, black alpine, inflated), Howell’s Marsh Marigold Fen, northern microseris, few-flowered sedge

Ecoregion: West Cascades

Science, Research and Monitoring

Public and private universities, other research institutions and individual researchers may contact DNR to propose a research project at the site. If you are interested in pursuing research at Toutle Ridge NAP, please contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov

Examples of research and monitoring projects
  • Bioblitz conducted by DNR staff and volunteers in 2026 to further inventory and document biodiversity on the preserve, including plants, insects, birds, fungi, and other organisms.

Environmental Education and Public Access

Currently no formal educational programs are available at Toutle Ridge NAP. The site is not ADA accessible and facilities are not available. For more information, contact the DNR Pacific Cascade Region natural areas manager.