Protecting, connecting, and restoring wildlife habitat

One of three major ecological "hotspots" we focus on is the North Cascades. From Interstate 90 north to the Canadian border the North Cascades provide some of the best habitat and wildlands in the Northwest. We have a long history of working on protecting, connecting, and restoring the lands in this ecoregion from the dry ponderosa pine forests of the east Cascades to the moist western hemlock stands on the westside. 

We have a grand vision for bridging wildlife habitat from the North Cascades to the southern mountains of the range in Washington, which has led us into landmark campaigns like The Cascades Conservation Partnership and I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition. 

Beginning in 2000, The Cascades Conservation Partnership, spearheaded by Conservation Northwest, was  a four-year project that inspired more than 16,000 people to give $16 million to protect 45,000 acres.

A logical next step in connecting habitat in the greater North Cascades is facilitate the movement of large mammals north to south within the state. A map of wildlife connectivity illustrates the movement of animals in this key area, where the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition is working on bridging that barrier for wildlife. The coalition is making sure that under and overpasses are included in Interstate 90 expansion from Hyak to Easton, providing safe routes for bears, elk, and other wildlife throughout the Central Cascades.

The Wenatchee National Forest on the east side of the Cascades and the Mount-Baker Snoqualmie National Forest on the west are rich in wildlife and provide a wealth of recreation opportunities for millions of people. Conservation Northwest works on the ground in collaboration with others urging sound science to protect, connect, and restore forests and wildlife on this landscape.