The basalt canyons in this 235-acre preserve contain remnant examples of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forest, as well as shrub-grassland ecosystems. Steep talus slopes, dominated by a variety of mosses and lichens, occur in patches throughout the preserve. The canyon bottoms support aspen and cottonwood trees, and a variety of shrub species, providing excellent habitat for songbirds and other wildlife. A wildfire burned through most of this preserve in 2002, but left much of the forest overstory intact while thinning out many of the smaller, younger trees.

 

Features Protected: Douglas-fir/ninebark plant community and northern buckwheat/Sandberg's bluegrass plant community
Ecoregion:  Columbia Plateau (Lincoln County) 

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 Spring Creek Canyon NAP, please contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov.

Currently no formal educational programs are available at Spring Creek Canyon NAP. The site is not ADA accessible and facilities are not available. For more information, contact the DNR Northeast Region natural areas manager.