State plans to protect Washougal White Oaks Natural Area

For the past two decades, an inconspicuous nature preserve in the Columbia River Gorge has protected rare plants, Oregon white oaks and animals imperiled by rapidly disappearing habitats. Now, the Washington Department of Natural Resources is developing a plan to preserve the Washougal Oaks Natural Area itself. “It’s a really special site, and we’re doing our best to protect it and keep it in as natural a state as possible,” said Carlo Abbruzzese, natural areas manager for DNR’s Pacific Cascade region. “So much of our state is being developed for housing, and we are losing our natural heritage. It’s important to protect our natural heritage so our kids and grandkids can know what an oak forest or old-growth forest looks like.” The state created the Washougal White Oaks Natural Area in 2002. Twenty-three years later, the nature preserve “protects 813 acres of primarily upland habitat, along with a stream corridor and tidal-freshwater aquatic habitat along the Columbia River shoreline,” according to DNR. The natural area is currently used for scientific research, environmental education and sanctioned work parties to help clear invasive weeds and restore native plants. It is one of two such sites in Clark County along with the Lacamas Prairie Natural Area, 211 acres of what DNR calls “the best known remnant of the Willamette Valley wet prairie ecosystem in Washington.” Management plan The proposed management plan for the Washougal site notes it protects the largest high-quality Oregon white oak woodland in Western Washington. “The white oaks are super important,” Abbruzzese said. “Over 200 species use Oregon white oaks in some way. And there’s not much oak forest left in the state.” Some species, including the slender-billed nuthatch, rely almost entirely on the Oregon white oak trees for their survival, Abbruzzese said. The bird “has declined significantly,” according to DNR, and is now regularly seen only at Washougal White Oaks Natural Area and four other sites in the state. White oaks that once thrived in Western Washington and throughout the Willamette Valley in Oregon have been decimated by human development. “And they are slow-growing trees,” Abbruzzese said. It can take more than 200 years for an Oregon white oak to offer its full range of protection for the wildlife that rely on the trees. “It’s a really important tree when birds are migrating through here because it’s flowering at the same time, and the birds feed on the caterpillars in those flowers,” Abbruzzese said. “In Clark County, we see a lot of single oaks with no understory beneath, just non-native grasses.” Without the native vegetation that normally would grow at the base of the keystone trees, the bugs that would normally eat that vegetation are looking elsewhere for food, Abbruzzese said. “So we’re losing that base of the food chain — the insects and native pollinators that are so important,” Abbruzzese said. DNR’s draft management plan includes eight goals for the Washougal White Oaks site, including protecting the area’s trees, plants and animals; managing access for public activities, such as research projects, guided nature walks and volunteer restoration work parties; managing the site in response to a changing climate; minimizing the impacts of wildfire suppression; controlling invasive species; guarding wildlife habitat; protecting archaeological and cultural sites within the natural area; and maintaining roads and rights of way within the natural area’s boundaries. “Roads are the most intrusive elements within and adjacent to the preserve and are the source for waste dumping, as well as the spread of noxious weeds,” according to the draft management plan. “Natural areas program staff will regularly monitor roads and easement corridors for encroachment of invasive weeds, impacts of weed treatment that drift beyond the right-of-way, the presence of trash, unauthorized access points, evidence of recreational fire and other signs of activity that could threaten the integrity of the natural area.” DNR also maintains communication with private property owners within the site’s more than 1,000-acre boundary. The agency sometimes has grant money available to purchase surrounding private properties used for mostly residential and agricultural purposes. The more fragmented the natural area is, Abbruzzese said, the more likely it is to attract invasive weeds and insects, as well as “edge predators,” such as raccoons and jays, that may prey on and harm wildlife inside the natural area. “We are willing to buy land from willing sellers,” Abbruzzese said. “There is no eminent domain. We’re definitely interested in adding to the preserve to protect it.” Kelly Moyer: 360-735-4674; kelly.moyer@columbian.com For more information The state Department of Natural Resources will take public comment on the Washougal Oaks Natural Area draft management plan through May 9 and plans to finalize the plan in June. DNR will host a public information session to share information about Washougal White Oaks Natural Area and take public comment on the draft management plan from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. A copy of the plan can be found online at wadnr.commentinput.com?id=fGP5ktUNS

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