Vital Habitat Secured for Threatened Species in Washington State

We’re excited to announce that we’ve protected a critical parcel of land in southwestern Washington State, preserving vital habitat for federally threatened species and ensuring public access. 

The Conservation Fund worked in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to acquire and protect a former alpaca farm in Pierce County, which is home to some of the last remaining prairie habitat for the threatened Mazama pocket gopher. This species, protected under the Endangered Species Act, faces the threat of extinction due to the dramatic reduction of its prairie habitat — down by as much as 95% over the past 150 years. 

Rapid urban expansion from the growing cities of Seattle and Tacoma has led to the destruction and fragmentation of critical prairie habitats. As development encroaches on these rare ecosystems, the Mazama pocket gopher’s habitat is rapidly disappearing, leaving the species with fewer safe spaces to thrive.  

The newly protected land, now officially part of the Violet Prairie Wildlife Management Area (WMA), offers more than just a home for the gopher. It serves as a critical ecosystem for a variety of endangered and threatened species, including the Puget blue butterfly, which is also experiencing a significant population decline. This rare habitat, formed by glaciers, includes a combination of wet prairie-oak woodlands, riparian areas, and conifer forests — key environments for a variety of plant and animal species. 

“By acting quickly to acquire at-risk lands like Violet Prairie, The Conservation Fund plays a unique role in conservation — stepping in when others can’t move fast enough to protect vital ecosystems before they are lost to development. Through efforts like these, we continue to secure the land that sustains us all,” says Gates Watson, Vice President of Mountain and Northwest Regions. 

By securing this land, The Conservation Fund has ensured that it will remain protected forever, providing sanctuary for at-risk species while also supporting Washington’s rich biodiversity. The unique ecosystems found on this land are vital for plant species diversity, which is significantly higher in areas where gophers live due to their natural ability to turn and aerate the soil, allowing plants to grow more effectively. 

The Violet Prairie WMA, which will be open to the public for general recreation, is a major step forward in Washington’s efforts to conserve its natural heritage and provide spaces for sustainable outdoor activities.  

Since its inception, The Conservation Fund has protected more than 62,000 acres in Washington State, including the addition of 1,000 acres to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and the safeguarding of critical forests along the Columbia Gorge. In total, the organization has helped preserve more than 9 million of acres across the country, protecting vital wildlife habitats, storing carbon, and securing recreational spaces for local communities.