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We're delighted to introduce you to the Wonders of Wildlife - a new, state-wide effort designed to increase the quantity and quality of wildlife habitat on Washington's private lands.
 

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Wonders of Wildlife Plasma TV picturing an elk calling out to the wild. Text on the TV states "If you build it..."


“If you build it, they will come.” That familiar message is the theme of a new NRCS 30-second television public service announcement that will soon be aired on television stations throughout Washington. The TV ad is part of an exciting conservation awareness campaign that encourages producers to “build” better wildlife habitat on their farms and ranches.

TV public service ad
60-second video introduction to the "Wonders of Wildlife" campaign...
Listen to... "Wonders of Wildlife" - Public Service Announcements

News release featuring the "Wonders of Wildlife"...
Letter of introduction to the "Wonders of Wildlife"...  (PDF; 965KB)


A Helping Hand...

Improving wildlife habitat begins with a conservation plan. Once you have that plan, NRCS can help you build the habitat wildlife loves through its programs and services. For more information on some of our most popular wildlife incentive programs, click on the links below.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)


Meet some of Washington's Wildlife Stewards...

Landowners across Washington are improving wildlife habitat through their stewardship efforts and with the help of NRCS programs and services.
Read their stories below.

Tribal Wildlife Biologist Tracy Hames, right, and NRCS Tribal Liaison Roger Amerman, pause near one of the 28 engineered grade control structures that have helped restore the natural hydrology to Mid-Toppenish Creek.
Program helps restore hydrology, wetlands, cultural resources on Yakama lands

Tracy Hames unfurls a three foot map across the hood of his vehicle. Nearby, birds chirp excitedly as they flutter amid the branches in a willow grove. A pair of ducks takes wing in the distance. Across the expanse of tule reeds, cattails and shallow ponds, shorebirds feed – silently pacing along the water’s edge, stabbing at insects with their spear-like beaks.

Read more (HTML)... | Printable version (PDF 694KB)

The Scheibe farm has grown in both market value and in intrinsic value for the entire family (from left) Art, Nathan, Ron and Kim.
Investment in habitat yields bounty of wildlife, recreation and enjoyment for Washington farm family

A few years ago, while at his farm home near Anatone, Ron Scheibe answered a knock at his door.  Standing before him was a bird hunter from Pennsylvania who asked for and then received permission from Mr. Scheibe to hunt on his land.

Read more (HTML)... | Printable version (PDF 531KB)

The Willms’ family (from left Sally, Evelyn and Marvin) say their Wetlands Reserve Project habitat improvements bring a variety of wildlife right to their back door.
Wetlands bring improvements to land, family, wildlife and community

To view wildlife, most people have to turn on the television or open a magazine.  But all the Willms family has to do is look out their window or step out their back door.  On this particular day, Marvin Willms was enjoying a hot breakfast when he spotted a doe out of his window.

Read more (HTML)... | Printable version (PDF 380KB)

 Once an area that grew only mounting piles of spoils from an ore mill, John Hamilton’s pond and wetland area now grows a variety of plants and wildlife.
Vision, dedication and conservation transform eyesore into wildlife utopia

Most people saw an eyesore. John Hamilton envisioned a sanctuary – a place where wildlife would flourish, fish would splash, and physically challenged or ill children would come to spend a peaceful weekend – a place where they could briefly shed the bonds of illness while sharing some quality time with their families.

Read more (HTML)... | Printable version (PDF 533KB)

With the help of the NRCS, Stevens Ranch partners (from left) Tom Pfeifer, Don Schmauder, David Stevens and Derek Stevens have created or enhanced hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat.
Conservation programs provide tools for creating wildlife haven – hunter’s heaven

It’s hard to imagine an environment less hospitable for wildlife than the vast and rugged central highlands of Washington. With an average annual rainfall of less than nine inches, and temperatures that range from well-below zero to more than 100 degrees, nature’s creatures have to be superbly adapted to simply survive this harsh and unforgiving ecosystem.

Read more (HTML)... | Printable version (PDF 511KB)
...For more information on mule deer habitat click on to: http://www.muledeer.org/


"Wonders of Wildlife" habitat brochure available.

Cover photo of "Wonder of Wildlife" brochure
Experience the
 "Wonders of Wildlife"

For anyone who’s ever watched an eagle soar, or a herd of deer bound effortlessly across an open field, it’s easy to understand how the mere presence of wildlife enriches our lives. Washington landowners play an important role in providing the critical habitat upon which our state’s diverse and magnificent wildlife depend.

"Wonders of Wildlife" Brochure  (PDF; 803KB)   11" x 17" tri-fold, double sided
 

"Wonders of Wildlife" seasonal habitat posters available. (18" x 24")

  Wonders of Wildlife spring poster a mule deer drinking from a cool running creek.    Wonders of Wildlife fall poster image of ducks floating on a pond with fall leaves in the background.    Wonders of Wildlife fall poster image of a pheasant looking out along the range.    Wonders of Wildlife fall poster image of a duck floating on the surface of a pond.   
          Spring Poster                 Fall Poster                      Winter Poster                      Summer Poster         
          (PDF; 533KB)              (PDF; 650KB)                   (PDF; 352KB)                        (PDF; 455KB)

To order "Wonders of Wildlife" posters, please email our requests.



Learn more about the food and cover needs for specific species, click on any of the images below for more information.

Photo of a sage grouse. Click for more information.       Photo of a mule deer. Click for more information.       Photo of a sage grouse. Click for more information.
 

Photo of NRCS pollinator promotional campaign. Click for more information.Most native bees are unlikely to sting. The yellow jackets and other wasps you see eating rotting fruit and hanging around picnics are not bees, nor are they significant pollinators.

Learn the importance of pollinators in agriculture.



 

Visit our Technical Notes page on our national website for more wildlife habitat and restoration information.


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