This unit has limited access under special circumstances; please contact the Wildlife Area Manager for more information.
The Violet Prairie Unit covers about 1,040 acres in south Thurston County and adds to the protected area of the Scatter Creek watershed, a main hub of the county’s prairie-oak conservation network. The unit provides habitat for federal and state threatened Mazama pocket gopher, and offers potential habitat for Species of Greatest Conservation Need such as Oregon vesper sparrow, streaked-horned lark, Puget blue butterfly, and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.
The unit is currently open for limited public access; the Department is currently examining how and where to direct outdoor recreation so it does not impair the conservation values of the unit or unduly impact adjacent private landowners. Staff members are working on a management plan for Violet Prairie which will help identify specific management actions, goals, objectives, and timelines that enrich the sensitive habitat present on the unit.
The Violet Prairie Unit is located about 6 miles east of the I-5 corridor near the city of Tenino in Thurston County.
This unit is part of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 666
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Recreation and access advisories
- The unit is currently open to hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
- Future public recreation may include horseback and bicycle riding.
- Public access is off Old Highway 99 where a temporary parking area has been established. Construction for more permanent parking is anticipated to begin in late spring 2025.
Wildlife viewing
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
The Violet Prairie Unit is primarily managed to enhance the habitat that benefits many threatened and endangered species, provide educational opportunities, and conduct scientific research.
Special habitats and species
The unit will contain approximately 260 acres of Puget lowland prairies and oak woodlands when all three phases are complete. Prairie and oak woodlands were once common in the Puget lowland region, though less than 10% of the original prairie landscape remains. The prairies and oak woodlands found on the Violet Prairie Unit support federally threatened Mazama pocket gopher and could potentially host breeding populations of other listed species such as Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, streaked horned lark, and Oregon vesper sparrow. There is also potential to support other Species of Greatest Conservation Concern such as western gray squirrel, western bluebird, and western pond turtle. The extensive mixed conifer forests and associated land features in the unit support elk, wild turkey, black bear, and a variety of bird species including wood duck and raptors.
Conservation goals
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities, including native Puget lowland prairies and oak woodlands
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
The unit will contain approximately 260 acres of Puget lowland prairies and oak woodlands when all three phases are complete. Prairie and oak woodlands were once common in the Puget lowland region, though less than 10% of the original prairie landscape remains. The prairies and oak woodlands found on the Violet Prairie Unit support federally threatened Mazama pocket gopher and could potentially host breeding populations of other listed species such as Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, streaked horned lark, and Oregon vesper sparrow. There is also potential to support other Species of Greatest Conservation Concern such as western gray squirrel, western bluebird, and western pond turtle. The extensive mixed conifer forests and associated land features in the unit support elk, wild turkey, black bear, and a variety of bird species including wood duck and raptors.
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities, including native Puget lowland prairies and oak woodlands
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
The Violet Prairie Unit’s acquisition will have multiple phases. The first two phases, making up approximately 1,040 acres in south Thurston County, were acquired in 2021 and 2022 with state and federal funding sources. The unit will add to the protected area of the Scatter Creek watershed, a main hub of the prairie oak conservation network in Thurston County, which provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species.
The third phase of the acquisition will add approximately 440 acres to the unit.
Near-term Management Priorities:
- Initial maintenance work related to fencing and weed management
- Development of a public access approach, including associated parking infrastructure and protection of sensitive prairie habitats
- Revise Management Plan for Scatter Creek Wildlife Area to include Violet Prairie Unit
- Develop habitat management plan for Species of Greatest Conservation Concern that occur or can potentially occur on the Violet Prairie Unit.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2022 and 2024.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2020 Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2020, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. The management plan addresses the status of wildlife species in the area and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. Every eight to 10 years, WDFW revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments.
Planning Advisory Committee
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Advisory Committee