Conservation Awareness
Shrub-steppe Habitat Awareness
We are bringing awareness to our diminishing and endangered shrub -steppe habitat by encouraging people to hike the Horse Heaven Hills (HHH) to acquaint themselves with the many diverse wild flowers and native species it supports. And to fully appreciate the natural beauty of this area. Desert Lupine, a purpley-blue wild flower native to this region, returns to the soil after blooming in the form of rich nutrients and can be spotted blooming in April and early May.
If you’re unable to hike to find native wildflowers, consider planting these native species as they will support our pollinators that also play a key role in sustaining our endangerd shrub-steppe habitat, which supports so many other species, such as our Ferruginous Hawk, which breeds in the Horse Heaven Hills. Fish & Wildlife believes there to be only 34 breeding pairs left. Other interdependent species are our Townsend’s Ground Squirrels, whose burrows support the burrowing owl and other creatures that call the shrub-steppe home.
Native Wildflowers to Plant
Insta-fame
Whether you’re taking in the vistas of the Horse Heaven Hills or planting native wildflowers to help support our pollinators, please post a photo using #HorseHeavenHills. Or tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram (@tricitiescares), and we will repost a photo of the day!
Thank you ahead of time for caring Tri-Cities! Share this initiative with friends and family and lets fill the interwebs with beautiful photos of our wild and beautiful shrub-steppe habitat!
Percentages & Statistics
Washington Native Plants Society (WNPS) gives us a breakdown as to why the shrub-steppe ecosystems need conservation now more than ever,
“The shrub-steppe is an endangered ecosystem. It is estimated that about 12% of a functional shrub-steppe ecosystem remains in Washington and less than 1% is protected in ecological condition similar to the original vegetation. (From Shrub-steppe and Steppe Ecosystems of Washington, Rex Crawford, 1993).
A report prepared by The Nature Conservancy states that at least 80% of the shrub-steppe has been reduced (1996) and much of what remains has been substantially altered. It is an endangered ecosystem because it is estimated that less than 15% remains. (Henjum et al., 1994).”
Action Needed
We encourage you to reach out to the Washington Native Plants Society and ask them if they’d write a letter to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Counsel (EFSEC) regarding the Horse Heaven Hills wind project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The HHH Wind Project will be built, if conservationists like you don’t act. This poorly-sited wind and solar project will have devastating effects on the fragile shrub-steppe ecosystem still remaining in the Horse Heaven Hills. This will mean a devastating impact to other conservation efforts of species both plant, animal and avian life dependent on it. Thank you for doing your part to conserve our beautiful shrub-steppe!
