The second conservation priority site we identified was the wilderness portion of the old Boise Cascade property (now coined the St. Helens Industrial Business Park). It made our list as the second-most pristine site for meadow reptiles. The complex supports Rubber Boas, Racers, and one of just three populations of Western Skinks in Columbia County. There is a chance is also houses cryptic Ringneck Snakes, with sightings just a few hundred yards away.
The site also supports a strong wetlands assemblage, with Western Long-toed Salamanders, Rough-skinned Newts, Pacific Treefrogs, and Northern Red-legged Frogs breeding in the vernal pools and stream overflow. Garter snakes are present. The creek is a corridor for Western Painted Turtles as well as salmon and steelhead runs.
But this land’s value goes far beyond the herp and fish assemblage. I’ll start with a bit of Willamette Valley history…