Natural Resources Conservation Areas

Natural Resources Conservation Areas (NRCAs) protect outstanding examples of native ecosystems, habitat for endangered, threatened and sensitive plants and animals, and scenic landscapes. More than 127,981 acres are conserved in 39 Washington state NRCAs.


Clallam County

Shipwreck Point NRCA

This site includes one of the last easily accessible, open stretches of beach on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.


Clark County

Lacamas Prairie Natural Area

This combined natural area preserve (NAP) and natural resources conservation area (NRCA) protects the best known remnant of the Willamette Valley wet prairie ecosystem in Washington.

Washougal Oaks Natural Area

This combined NAP/NRCA protects the largest high-quality Oregon white oak woodland in western Washington.


Cowlitz County

Merrill Lake NRCA

This site contains a mixed conifer/hardwood forest along a shoreline, providing habitat for birds of prey.


Grays Harbor County

Elk River NRCA

This area is the largest, highest quality estuarine system remaining in Washington or Oregon.


Jefferson County

Clearwater Corridor NRCA

This site represents a mature coastal forest, protects aquatic-riparian habitat and provides elk habitat.

Devils Lake NRCA

This NRCA contains two freshwater wetlands and two sphagnum bog communities.

Queets River NRCA

This NRCA protects over 250 acres of riparian floodplain habitat in the lower reaches of the Queets River.

South Nolan NRCA

This area is an old-growth temperate forest with scattered wetlands. Some trees are more than 500 years old.


King County

Middle Fork Snoqualmie NRCA

This area protects old growth Douglas-fir forest, subalpine lands, mid-elevation lakes, and habitat for marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl and native mountain goat.

Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area

This area protects cliff terrain, wildlife habitat, numerous riparian systems and old growth forest.

Mount Si NRCA

This NRCA supports a variety of wildlife including native mountain goats, cougar and black bear.

West Tiger Mountain NRCA

This NRCA provides important habitat for large and small wildlife including reptiles and amphibians.


Kitsap County

Stavis NRCA

This natural area includes the best known quality example of the Douglas-fir-western hemlock/evergreen huckleberry forest community, and one of the only extensive mature and old growth forests in the Puget Sound lowlands.


Klickitat County

Klickitat Canyon NRCA

This NRCA boasts spectacular views of the Klickitat River, and is home to a variety of wildlife species.

White Salmon Oak NRCA

This site represents of all of the Oregon white oak communities found in the White Salmon River drainage.


Lewis County

Tahoma Forest NRCA

This site protects the ecological value of a structurally complex old growth forest.


Okanogan County

Loomis NRCA

This NRCA protects twelve plant species of concern, as well as important habitat for nine wildlife species.


Pacific County

Ellsworth Creek NRCA

This preserve provides important breeding habitat for the federally threatened marbled murrelet.

South Nemah NRCA

This site contains western red cedar and Sitka spruce and habitat for marbled murrelets and spotted owls.

Teal Slough NRCA

This site supports a remnant coastal old growth forest and is home to marbled murrelets and spotted owls.

Naselle Highlands NRCA

This site contains mature conifer forest habitat including platform trees that support marbled murrelet nesting sites.


Pierce County

Ashford NRCA

This site protects mature, structurally complex conifer forest and helps provide habitat for northern spotted owls.


San Juan County

Cattle Point NRCA

This NRCA is an important research site with a day use recreation and interpretive area.


Skagit County

Cypress Island NRCA

This is the last largely undeveloped island in the San Juans, providing a reminder of pre-settlement Washington.

Granite Lakes NRCA

This area contains 160-year old stands of silver fir, mountain hemlock and associated plant communities.

Hat Island NRCA

This conservation area provides habitat for bald eagles, sea and shore birds.


Skamania County

Table Mountain NRCA

This area contains relatively undisturbed upland and wetland forests, mountain meadows, and rare plants.

Stevenson Ridge NRCA

This area includes structurally complex, old-growth conifer forest that serves as nesting habitat for hte northern spotted owl, federally listed as "endangered."


Snohomish County

Morning Star NRCA

This NRCA features low to high elevation terrain; meadows, forests, and exposed rocks and cliffs.


Spokane County

Dishman Hills NRCA

This site is notable for dramatically sculpted terrain left by the floods which issued from Glacial Lake Missoula.


Thurston County

Woodard Bay NRCA

This site protects habitat ranging from shoreline to wetlands to mature second-growth forest.


Wahkiakum County

Hendrickson Canyon NRCA

This site contains the county's last high quality, mature and old growth western hemlock forest.

Skamokawa Creek NRCA

This site contains mature conifer forest habitat including platform trees supporting marbled murrelet nesting sites.


Whatcom County

Lake Louise NRCA

This site includes a very large, active beaver pond and various forest communities.

Lummi Island NRCA

This site provides an uneven-aged mixed forest, making it very appealing to birds of prey.


Yakima County

Klickitat Canyon NRCA

This NRCA boasts spectacular views of the Klickitat River, and is home to a variety of wildlife species.