The largest flood in geological history carved out a landscape in eastern Washington that is found nowhere else in the world, the Channeled Scablands. Just this week, Congress appropriated $1.5 million to expand the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, which protects part of this mosaic of sagebrush, ponderosa and wetlands.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge encompasses an island of this unique habitat near Cheney. Here sagebrush and grasslands meet ponderosa pines, with a mosaic of ponds, marshes and wetlands that offer some of the last high-quality breeding, migrating and wintering habitat for waterfowl in eastern Washington.

The Conservancy applauds Sen. Patty Murray for her leadership in securing $1.5 million in Land and Water Conservation Funds to allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collaborate with the Conservancy on acquiring nearly 500 acres to add to the 16,000-acre refuge.

The refuge is Spokane’s backyard, providing wildlife viewing and other recreational opportunities. In addition to expanding those opportunities, the acquisition will protect both the quality and quantity of fresh water for the community and for the refuge. Spokane County’s population has grown by 30 percent in the last 20 years and with at least 200 groundwater wells within a mile of the Refuge, such proactive conservation efforts are essential for sustaining water for wildlife and the surrounding agricultural and ranching communities.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund program provides funding for land acquisition by the following federal agencies: the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Parks Service, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is funded by receipts from off-shore oil and gas leasing and development.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Douglas King (Wildflowers at Turnbull); Photo © Douglas King (Killdeer).