- Barker Mountain Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
The mid to upper slopes of Barker Mountain, from about 3,200 to 4,000 feet in elevation, are included within this preserve. A broad, east-west ridgetop with ledges and steep slopes defines the south side, while small depressions with seeps form the north side. This 120 acre preserve protects examples of shrub-grassland ecosystems (also known as shrub-steppe), including a large area of antelope bitterbrush/Idaho fescue habitat on the gently sloping summit ridge. Wooded areas with ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and antelope bitterbrush form a mosaic with the grassland patches and represent an important forest type within the foothills of the Okanogan Highlands of north- central Washington.
