- Spring Creek Canyon Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
The basalt canyons in this 235-acre preserve contain remnant examples of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forest, as well as shrub-grassland ecosystems. Steep talus slopes, dominated by a variety of mosses and lichens, occur in patches throughout the preserve. The canyon bottoms support aspen and cottonwood trees, and a variety of shrub species, providing excellent habitat for songbirds and other wildlife. A wildfire burned through most of this preserve in 2002, but left much of the forest overstory intact while thinning out many of the smaller, younger trees.
- Luther Burbank (Wikipedia)
Luther Burbank (March 7, 1849 – April 11, 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. Burbank’s developments included those of fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables. He developed (but did not create) a spineless cactus (useful for cattle-feed) and the plumcot.