Sensitive Habitat Restoration in Clark County with Carlo Abbruzzese Natural Areas Manager WA DNR

Carlo Abbruzzese, Natural Areas Manager of the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Pacific Cascades Region describes the preservation and restoration of Quercus garyana (Oregon white oak) forest and Willamette Valley wet prairie in two Clark County natural areas. The talk will describe some of the rare plant and animal species that are protected at these two sites as well as the successes and failures in trying to restore these sensitive habitats. At Washougal Oaks Natural Area, Douglas fir trees were thinned around Oregon white oak trees to prevent overtopping and eventually killing of oak trees. At Lacamas Prairie Natural Area, wet prairie is being restored using prescribed fire, control of non-native grasses, and the seeding and planting of native prairie plants.