Jim Kling's Profile

Absent the large herbivores that kept them in check, such tree species as black ash, elm and ironwood began to colonize a landscape dominated by coniferous trees such as spruce and larch. The resulting mix of boreal and temperate trees formed a plant community unlike any observed today.

"As soon as herbivores drop off the landscape, we see different plant communities," Gill explains, noting that mastodon herds and other large animals occupied a parkland like landscape, typified by large open spaces and patches of forest and swamp. "Our data suggest that these trees would have been abundant sooner if the herbivores hadn't been there to eat them."

Many prairie enthusiasts believe that the wildflower displays of May and early June

Scatter Creek Wildlife Area

Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve

Scatter Creek Wildlife Area offers two different sites to visit, one featuring a prairie and other acreage being forested.  The land is used for many different activities such as hunting and fishing, and a vehicle use permit is required. See the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife website for more information.

Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is 637 acres in size and contains the best remaining examples of the unique Mima Mounds. An interpretive trail, suitable for the disabled, meanders through the eerie mounds and great prairie. Longer walks are also available. The Preserve is open to the public everyday. More information can be obtained from the WA Dept. of Natural Resources (360)596-5144.

 

Directions: Exit I-5 at Littlerock. Drive west one block, then turn south on Case Road. Continue on Case Road, crossing Scatter Creek, to 180th Street. Turn right on 180th , which leads to the Wildlife Area parking lot.

Directions: Exit I-5 at Littlerock. Drive west through Littlerock and continue on 128th Avenue SW until it ends at an intersection with Waddell Creek Road. Turn right on Waddell Creek Road. The Mima Mounds entrance will be on the left.

The Maple Bay
bus (route 4) provides
service from downtown Duncan to Maple Bay and the subdivisions south
of Maple Bay Road. It provides access to hiking trails on Mount
Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain, the beach at Maple Bay, and two
protected Garry Oak meadows. The bus mostly goes in a loop.  There
are 7
buses per day, Monday to
Friday, and fewer buses on Saturday. On Sunday, there is currently
not enough bus service to make hiking enjoyable. Bus schedules are
available at http://www.busonline.ca/regions/cow/schedules/schedule.cfm

Near the beginning of the trail is the
Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve, a hillside covered in Garry Oaks
with
amazing wildflowers in the spring. Because this is an ecologically
sensitive area, it is recommended that hikers stay outside the fence
most of the year. Except when the flowers are in bloom, there is
little to experience that cannot also be found outside the fence. When
viewing the flowers in the spring, stay on the trails.  There is
an interpretive kiosk at the entrance to the Ecological Reserve.