Okanogan County, WA — The NCW Audubon Society has announced a generous $50,000 donation to support the protection and restoration of the Bonaparte Meadows project, in partnership with the Okanogan Land Trust.
This significant contribution will help advance ongoing efforts to conserve Bonaparte Meadows, a vital landscape known for its rich biodiversity, critical wildlife habitat, and ecological importance within North Central Washington. The project aims to preserve native ecosystems, enhance habitat connectivity, and ensure the long-term health of the region’s natural resources.
“We are proud to support the Bonaparte Meadows project and the important work led by the Okanogan Land Trust,” said Art Campbell, president of the NCW Audubon Society. “Protecting this unique habitat aligns directly with our mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems for the benefit of birds, wildlife, and future generations.”
The rarity of this wetland type and its critical support for wildlife diversity in Okanogan County are primary reasons why Okanogan Land Trust and NCW Audubon are seeking to preserve Bonaparte Meadows. The unique soil and water chemistry gives rise to equally unique plant species and combinations of species, including rare sedges, willows, and aster. The large and varied wetland habitat also attracts amphibians such as the priority species Columbia spotted frog and a tremendous variety of resident and migratory birds such as Barrow’s goldeneye. Many distinctive large mammal species of the region – from mule deer and moose to Canada lynx, wolves, and badgers – live on or move seasonally through the property between large areas of public land on either side.
The Okanogan Land Trust will use the donation to further land conservation efforts, stewardship activities, and community engagement initiatives tied to the Bonaparte Meadows project. The funding will also help leverage additional support from partners and stakeholders committed to preserving the area.
“NCW Audubon Society’s contribution is a meaningful investment in the future of Bonaparte Meadows,” said Kate Miller, executive director of Okanogan Land Trust. “Their support strengthens our ability to protect this remarkable landscape and ensure it remains a thriving habitat for wildlife and a valued resource for our community.”
For more information about the Bonaparte Meadows project or to learn how to support conservation efforts, please visit https://www.okanoganlandtrust.org/.