Popular recreational activities on the West Rocky Prairie Unit include wildlife viewing, hunting, and botanical studies. South Puget Sound prairie habitat on this unit supports a variety of imperiled plant and animal species, and includes the Mima Mounds (a geological curiosity). It also includes riparian, wetland, and forest habitats, as well as an Oregon white oak community which is relatively uncommon west of the Cascade Mountains. The primary habitat management focus is the restoration and maintenance of prairie habitats using prescribed fire, exotic plant control, and the re-establishment of native species.
The West Rocky Prairie Unit is located two miles northwest of Tenino in Thurston County.
The West Rocky Priarie Unit is in the Upper Chehalis River watershed.
This unit is part of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 666
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
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.
Public facility information:
- Small parking area
- No restroom
- Informational kiosk
Recreation and access advisories
- Parking area is not large enough for trailer turnaround.
- Plant and insect collecting or catch and release are not allowed without a permit.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes prairie, Oregon white oak woodland, conifer forest, creek, wetland, and riparian habitats, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including imperiled species.
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
This unit contains the unique south Puget Sound prairie ecosystem, which supports a variety of imperiled plant and animal species. Also found are riparian, wetland, and forest habitats, including a two-mile stretch of Beaver Creek and an Oregon white oak community that is uncommon on the west side of the Cascade Mountains.
Conservation goals
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 2006.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | North American Wetlands Conservation Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS State Wildlife Grant 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