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Feryn Ranch Conservation Area
Project Overview
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| The Peone Prairie along Deadman Creek has been a changing landscape, from dryland grasses and forests to agriculture. The Feryn Ranch Conservation Area is turning a vital portion of the landscape back to its natural form. |
Historically, the Peone Prairie consisted of a mosaic of native dryland grasses with upland and riparian forests. Deadman Creek, a major waterway on the prairie, meandered through these tree and shrub communities providing habitat for various wildlife species. This natural character was altered dramatically almost a century ago as the prairie became known for uses such as dryland farming and livestock production. The prairie is still an important agricultural region in Spokane County, but is rapidly being transformed again by rural residential development. This change has prompted the need for preservation through land acquisition and habitat enhancement.
In the summer of 2002, Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with local agencies, utilized a North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant to purchase 54 acres of Peone Prairie and Deadman Creek. The project funding was later coordinated with the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department’s Conservation Futures Program.
The site was chosen due to its valuable wetland habitat that provides forage for both wildlife and waterfowl. The wetland habitat is used by 108 species of fowl as a migratory corridor with 65 species breeding within this critical wetland system. The site provides an excellent opportunity for local residents to view a diverse number and species of birds
The Spokane County Conservation District was requested to conduct the upland and riparian restoration efforts on the newly acquired cropland and creek bottom.
In the fall of 2002, the cropped areas were seeded with a native grass mix. The upland grasses became established over the next year. The lowland pasture areas were planted with riparian trees and shrubs such as willow, cottonwood, alder, and aspen in the spring of 2003. In 2004 and 2005, thousands of native trees and shrubs were planted (over 350 large stock trees and shrubs exceeding 15’). More large stock trees and shrubs will be planted in the spring of 2006.
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| Volunteers, such as students and local interest groups, aide in the restoration efforts. |
Since the initial purchase of 54 acres, an additional 65 adjacent acres has been purchased and added to the restoration project. The new acreage is being seeded to native grasses and planted with trees and shrubs over the next several years. To date, more than 10,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in a restoration area that encompasses 119 acres.
Project Contact
If you would like to learn more about the Feryn Ranch Conservation Area, contact Charlie Peterson at the Spokane County Conservation District
(509) 535-7274 or visit the Spokane County website on the Feryn Ranch Conservation Area.
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