Most of Washington's shrub-steppe habitats have been converted to agriculture. Approximately 60% of shrub steppe that existed in eastern Washington before European settlement has been lost. Much of the remaining shrub steppe is highly fragmented, occurring as small blocks surrounded by a sea of agricultural fields and suburban development. Few large expanses of shrub steppe remain as refugia for wildlife dependent on this habitat and many species find it difficult to disperse. Douglas County still retains quality habitat that supports several shrub-steppe species that have been extirpated from much of Washington. Many of our highest priority species in need of conservation are covered by the scope of this proposal, including the pygmy rabbit, sharp-tailed grouse, Washington ground squirrles, and greater sage grouse. Maintaining these species will depend on protecting and maintaining the connectivity among existing habitat patches. Four wildlife areas are managed by WDFW within the scope of this project: Sagebrush Flats, Foster Creek, Central Ferry Canyon, and Chester Butte. These areas were purchased and are being managed for the protection and conservation of shrub-steppe dependant species. The conservation value of these properties can be threatened by development or other land-use changes on parcels adjacent to or surrounded by wildlife areas. The goal of this project is to acquire 5000 acres of habitat and secure the conservation values of existing wildlife areas and improve the connectivity among areas.