- ALPHARD (Alpha Hydrae). Not all that well known among bright stars, but surprisingly prominent, Alphard both dominates and lies at the heart of the relatively dim constellation Hydra, the Water Serpent (the longest constellation of the sky), hence clearly deserves to be Bayer’s Alpha star.
- Kahlotus Ridgetop Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
This 240-acre site preserves one of the last remaining examples of the vast native arid grassland that once covered much of the eastern Columbia Basin in Washington. A population of Piper’s daisy-a state-listed sensitive plant species that grows only in the Columbia Basin-occurs within the preserve. This site was designated a National Natural Landmark in 2011, in recognition of its nation-wide significance to natural area protection.