Samish River Wetlands

The Samish River Wetlands Conservation Area permanently protects 22.5 acres nationally declining palustrine forested and scrub-shrub wetlands on 1,750 feet of the upper Samish River. Woody shrub-like vegetation that is less than 20 feet tall is found within palustrine forested wetlands, sometimes referred to as a bog. In contrast, palustrine forested wetlands are dominated by woody trees over 20 feet tall. Both of these types of wetland habitat are found across the United States and are facing national decline due to human development, timber conversion, and climate change impacts. The protection of these wetlands helps aid the conservation for many species including the federally threatened and state endangered Oregon spotted frog and supports a variety of salmonid species including steelhead, coho, and cutthroat trout. The remaining 3.5 acres consists of lowland forest along the river that buffers the wetland and provides habitat for a variety of woodland creatures including elk. This forest is currently undergoing restoration.