Threatened Ecosystems Projects:
Our goal is to protect and restore threatened ecosystems in Latah County and the Palouse region on a scale that supports the self-sustaining function of these ecosystems.
The conversion of land in Latah County from native bunchgrass prairie and timbered slopes to harvested forestland and agricultural fields began in the late 1800’s. Today less than six percent of the original native prairie remains and commercial stand management has largely replaced the natural processes that once shaped forestlands.
Within the Threatened Ecosystems resource of community concern, Latah SWCD efforts will focus on the following five ecosystem types and limiting factors:
Five Ecosystems Types and Limiting Factors:
Spalding's Catchfly
Working on restoring habitat for this threatened species
Palouse Prairie Project
Working with landowners to restore rare and endangered prairie
Riparian Restoration
Restoring our decreasing wetlands to stabilize base flow conditions
Threatened Ecosystems
Monarch Butterfly Project
Working with landowners to increase habitat for native pollinator species