The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife needs your help! The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County near Spokane has been scheduled for Ecological Integraty Assessment citizen science work this year, and WDFW is looking for volunteers to receive training, protocols and support from our agency resource managers and ecologists. The protocols for the citizen science phase of the project involve physically locating GPS sites on the wildlife area, taking digital photographs of the area with a smartphone or digital camera, recording data on an online data report form, and uploading the data to a WDFW website.

As a result of citizen scientist contributions, WDFW scientists will apply their expertise to measure how the landscape is changing over time on our lands , to inform decision making and management planning. We value and respect the Washington Native Plant Society expertise and work to protect and appreciate our native plants and communities, and hope that you will consider joining our Wildlife Program scientists in this pilot project.

The training workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, 2012; 9:00 am – 3:00 pm with lunch provided, at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Office.

Additional information is available HERE. For directions, go after the jump. 

 

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Swanson Lakes Unit

How to Get Here

Access Site #1 Driving Directions From US Hwy 2 at Creston, turn south by the grain elevators, onto Swanson Lakes Road; road name later changes to Seven Springs Road. At 10.5 miles, turn left at Y. Office is in one mile. Parking/Restroom Information On mile-long entry road to office, there is a parking area with vault toilet, kiosk with variety of maps and info, and wheelchair accessible short gravel trail toward the east Swanson Lake. Other Information No overnight parking on any WDFW lots. Parking at WLA HQ lot is recommended only during weekdays, as gate to HQ may be locked at random hours on weekends, giving possibility of trapping a vehicle behind locked gate. Access Site #2 Driving Directions From I-90, turn north onto Hwy 21 toward Odessa. At approximately 30 miles, turn right onto Schuster Road. At 8 miles turn right onto Seven Springs Road/Swanson Lake Road. At 1.5 miles, turn left at Y in road. Office is 1 mile in. Parking/Restroom Information Several day parking lots are located along county roads that bisect or border the Wildlife Area. Parking is also allowed at WLA Headquarters. There is a restroom at WLA HQ, which is normally open M-F, 8-5. All parking lots require a Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass. Other Information No overnight parking on any WDFW lots. Parking at WLA HQ lot is recommended only during weekdays, as gate to HQ may be locked at random hours on weekends, giving possibility of trapping a vehicle behind locked gate.

Swanson Lakes Unit Map Water Access Site

Unique Features

This area is mostly shrub-steppe habitat, in the Channeled Scablands. Great for seeing spring wildflowers, a variety of birds of prey, and shrub-steppe obligate songbirds. There are some stands of aspen, and a few rimrock lakes, including a mile-long lake in the Lake Creek drainage. This formally unnamed lake is stocked with rainbow trout for walk-in fishing. There are several unmarked trails within the wildlife area. Almost no point within the WLA is further than 2 miles from a county road.

Other Information

Maps available at WLA HQ. No motorized vehicles allowed on SLWA, except on the mile-long entry road to HQ. Primary hunted species: mule deer, coyote, waterfowl and upland birds. Upland bird hunters note: take of sharp-tailed and sage grouse is prohibited by law. Spring through fall: hikers watch for rattlesnakes, and check for ticks after visiting.

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