Places We Protect Images

Goats

In the Goat Rocks Wilderness in central Washington, mountain goats roam 7,000 foot peaks, remnants of a volcano that stood there 2 million years ago. The goats graze in the countless meadows which explode with color in the wildflower season. Photo by Walter Siegmund

Hardy Trees

The hardy species in the Cascade Range demonstrate that even the smallest patch of dirt can be incredibly fertile. The narrow cracks in this vertical basalt cliff are enough for Douglas fir trees to grow out of, proof of the robust nature of the plants and animals that inhabit the region. Photo by Alan Bauer

Pale-Blue-Eyed

Pale blue-eyed grass, endemic to the Cascades, is under consideration for addition to the endangered species list. Invasive weeds, cattle grazing and habitat loss have caused its numbers to dwindle, and it is rare to see its soft blue flowers in the wild.

Rain and Berries

The western slopes of the Cascade Range receive hundreds of inches of rain a year – no wonder that six of the top ten carbon storing forests in the United States are located here!

Snowed in Tree

Some Cascade species spend 2/3 of the year buried in snow; talk about tough!

Volcanic Past

Geologic upheaval and active volcanoes created the dramatic skylines of the Cascade Range.