The Importance of Shared Spaces
By Jeremy Lucas and Martha Jordan
Jeremy Lucas, Conservation Chair of Eastside Audubon
John Muir once wrote “Keep close to Nature’s heart….Wash your spirit clean”. There is little doubt that being out and enjoying nature is a soul cleanse for many people. We have different ways of enjoying what nature offers us. There is sportsman or sportswoman who wants to hunt the land or fish on the waterways that course through them. There is hiker who wants to strap on their boots and challenge themselves to get to that special spot with that special view. There is birder who grabs their binoculars and is on a quest to find that elusive bird. All of them have two things in common: They all rely on healthy natural lands and they all must be good stewards of these shared spaces. Though these groups may not always agree on what the priority of these areas should be, one thing is clear: all of these recreational activities are not possible without these protected areas.
Martha Jordan, Avian Science Committee Chair of Pilchuck Audubon
This article is the first of a four-part miniseries that will highlight the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Snoqualmie Wildlife Area units that are geographically within the Snoqualmie Valley. Although the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area encompasses lands outside the Snoqualmie Valley, we will focus on the three units that are within the Valley proper: Crescent Lake Unit near Monroe, Cherry Valley Unit near Duvall, and Stillwater Unit near Carnation. Each month we will feature one of these wildlife units in our monthly newsletter. You will learn more about these special places and ways in which you can enjoy your public lands. These lands are important to and an integral part of supporting the wildlife and fish in the Snoqualmie Valley and beyond. Many of the topics covered here are applicable to other recreational locations. For an overview of where these three wildlife areas are located, please view the map at the end of this article.
Eastside Audubon (EAS) and Pilchuck Audubon (PAS) have partnered in an endeavor to bring more attention to and encourage visits and stewardship of these important natural resource areas. The Snoqualmie Wildlife Area spans both of our chapters service areas, thus the same article will appear in each of our respective newsletters: Corvid Crier for EAS and The Profile for PAS.
The Snoqualmie Wildlife Area encompasses 2,774-acres divided between six units spread from near Everett south to Carnation. The entire area is located within the Snohomish River Watershed, which includes both the Snoqualmie and the Skykomish Rivers, two tributaries of the Snohomish River. In addition to the three units referenced above, this management area includes the Ebey Island, Spencer Island, and Corson Wildlife Preserve units.
The habitat varies greatly as it stretches from the uplands to Puget Sound. In general, you can expect to see upland forests, flooded agricultural land, wetlands, riparian corridors, and estuarine habitat including ponds and a lake. It should be noted that WDFW defines the primary purpose of these areas as wildlife and habitat protection first, recreational activities second. As such, certain activities, such as horseback riding, bicycling, and off-leash dog walks, are not permitted in these areas. As with any area, please take a minute to review the rules.
For more information on the wildlife area including interactive maps and directions, please click here
Birding in a Shared Space
As with any recreational activity, being safe and knowing the rules of a given area will only enhance your birding experience. These areas are designed for multiple use and enjoyed by a large number of people doing many different activities throughout the year. For example, keeping in mind that these areas are multi-use that do allow hunting, understanding when the hunting seasons are, and what can be legally hunted is important. Additionally, practicing such safety measures as wearing an orange vest or bright clothing when visiting these areas during hunting season is a must. Remember, hunters are our partners in protecting these areas and working with them and using the spaces safely and simultaneously is absolutely crucial!
Birding with Awareness…
means how to be more aware and if you See Something, Say Something
Too many times I hear people say that while they were out birding or simply enjoying the outdoors they saw something that troubled them but didn’t know what they could do about it. Or perhaps you are out enjoying your activity and outdoor time and sometimes forget to take on an active stewardship role. I, myself, have sometimes been guilty of that.
Birding with Awareness and Stewardship:
Here are some tips for when you go out on these WDFW wildlife areas and how you can help with stewardship.
BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE: Please remember to put your Discover Pass on your dashboard or hang it on the rearview mirror. You need a Discover Pass to park in any WDFW Wildlife Area parking lot or their boat access sites. They can be purchased anywhere WDFW licenses are sold and online.
One of the best ways to be an active steward is taking time to look around and familiarize yourself with your surroundings in the parking lot and as you go down the trails. What looks normal, what does not, other users, trash, vandalism, etc. Look around and perhaps take notes.
Look for reader boards and other signs in or near the parking lot that will inform you about important information regarding the wildlife unit you are visiting. This includes what is allowed or not on that particular unit. Please take time and read them, even if all you are doing is walking, or taking photos or birding.
Note if there are other cars in the lot. Be aware that other activities may be happening on the unit such as hunting (big game, waterfowl and upland bird) during certain dates, hunt dog training, or a scheduled special activity. A reminder that during the fall these areas are pheasant release sites for hunting and special hours may apply on pheasant release days.
If you are out during hunting season it is suggested that you wear an orange or bright pink vest, so hunters can see you.
And remember, if you take your dog into the wildlife unit with you, it must be on a leash at all times. Our wildlife areas are not off-leash dog parks.
One important fact to remember is: when you visit these WDFW wildlife areas your presence acts as a deterrent to resource abuses simply by your being there.
TAKING ACTION is, of course, the next step. Please stay safe and do not confront any individual or group if you observe activities that are not permitted or are illegal including poaching. There are ways that you can be the eyes and ears of stewardship while enjoying any recreational area.
If you see a wildlife-related issue, including poaching, there are several ways you can report the issue:
Call 911 to report poaching in progress, a dangerous wildlife complaint, or an emergency.
Call 877-933-9847 for non-emergency poaching/violation reports.
Send an email to reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov.
Send a text tip to 847411 (TIP411) by entering WDFWTIP, followed by a space, and then entering your report.
Use the online form to report a violation
If you are able and willing, bring a garbage bag and either some collection device (like a stick) or gloves, please do so. Picking up the smaller items is appreciated, especially when out on the unit. The bigger items as well as most of the garbage piles dumped at the parking lots are picked up by volunteers associated with other groups, especially the hunting groups. I keep a Hiking checklist and those items are always included in my run-through of everything I need.
REPORT garbage dumping, serious graffiti, damage to signs or kiosks, and damage to the parking lot by sending an email to the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area manager at brian.boehm@dfw.wa.gov . Or you can call Martha Jordan, a member of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Citizen’s Advisory Committee at 206-713-3684.
With some knowledge about the shared space, regulations, and what you can do to be part of the active stewardship community, you can help protect these areas for wildlife and future generations, as well as have a great and safe time out there. Now, get out there and bird!
Photo credit by Gerald Plowman.