king county natural area of
- Island Center Forest Map (PDF) (cdn.kingcounty.gov)
Island Center Forest features various forest stands, meadows, and the Mukai Pond and Meadowlake Pond wetlands, and it is home to the headwaters of Judd Creek. Island Center Forest provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including more than 70 bird species. There are more than nine miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The wetlands are popular for bird watching and wildlife photography.
- Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
This 2,165-acre preserve serves several critical conservation features. It is one of six known areas in Washington where Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) (a state endangered species) can be found nesting. This NAP also hosts a population of Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa) (a federally threatened species with a small number of existing populations throughout the state). The entire site, including the marsh habitat and adjacent forested uplands, is one of the highest quality mid-elevation wetland ecosystems in south-central Washington, providing vital habitat for hundreds of wildlife species. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded on the site, including many neotropical migratory species of conservation concern. It is part of the Pacific Flyway, providing important feeding and resting habitat for migratory waterfowl such as redhead ducks (Aythya americana), cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), and pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). Several rare plant species listed below are found in seasonal wetland and oak woodland habitats on the preserve.