This proposed project, in Klickitat County, is for the acquisition of 300 acres of land eligible for inclusion in the Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve (NAP). The NAP encompasses one of the two highest quality freshwater wetland ecosystems left in south-central Washington (WA) and provides critical habitat for a variety of endangered, threatened and candidate species. The NAP is comprised of over 70% wetlands and is considered a unique and invaluable area by amphibian experts; it contains one of only six Oregon spotted frog populations in Washington, a State endangered and Federal candidate species. It is a staging area for the sandhill crane (State endangered) and a winter roost site for Bald Eagle (State sensitive). The wetland system is part of the Pacific Flyway, supporting a large number of neotropical migratory birds. The NAP is part of an essential movement corridor for a large elk herd and is used for wintering, spring foraging and calving, and is an important wintering habitat for black-tailed deer. A variety of other wildlife species use the area, including black bear, river otter, coyotes, beaver, small mammals and amphibians; and resident trout use the creek and march channels. The lands proposed for acquisition support one of the two largest populations of the State threatened pale blue-eyed grass (federal candidate species), the largest Washington population of the rare Pulsifers monkey-flower, and the only recently known occurrence of the State threatened Parry’s knotweed.