Scatter Creek Unit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scatter Creek Unit
Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) bordering Scatter Creek
Scatter Creek Unit Location in Washington (state)
Location	Southwest Washington, Washington, United States
Area	915 acres (370 ha)
Governing body	Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

The Scatter Creek Unit is a special natural area in Washington State, USA. It covers about 915 acres, which is like 700 football fields! This place is a protected area and a wildlife reserve. It helps keep nature safe for plants and animals.

You can find the Scatter Creek Unit in southern Thurston County, Washington. It's located near the towns of Grand Mound, Washington and Rochester, Washington. The land is owned and looked after by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This unit is one part of a bigger area called the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, which has five different sections. The Scatter Creek Unit itself is split into two parts: the North site and the South site. Long ago, this area was a farm or home, known as a homestead.

Discovering the Scatter Creek Unit's Unique Prairies

The Scatter Creek Unit is very important because it has one of the last remaining parts of the south Puget Sound prairie. Prairies are like big, open grasslands. They are home to many special plants and animals.

Plants and Trees You Can Find

In the prairie areas, especially near streams, you might see Garry oak trees. These trees are also known as Quercus garryana. Another tree found here is the Oregon ash, or Fraxinus latifolia.

On the hills on the north side of the reserve, you'll find different kinds of trees. These are mostly conifers, like the tall Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Conifers are trees that have needles and cones, like pine trees.

What Are Mima Mounds?

Both the North and South sites of the Scatter Creek Unit have something cool called Mima mounds. These are small, natural hills or bumps in the ground. Scientists are still studying exactly how they formed, but they are a unique feature of the landscape here.

Protecting Wildlife and Habitats

The Scatter Creek Unit is a safe place for many creatures. It's a wildlife reserve, which means animals can live and grow here without too much disturbance.

Animals Living in the Unit

Many different animals call Scatter Creek home. You might spot a Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea) hiding among the plants. These lizards have scales that look a bit like alligator skin.

Beautiful Flowers of the Prairie

The prairie is also famous for its beautiful flowers. One of the most well-known is the Camas flower (Camassia quamash). These flowers often have lovely blue or purple petals. Sometimes, you can even find a rare white version of the Camas flower.

Managing the Land for Nature

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the Scatter Creek Unit. They work hard to keep the habitat healthy for all the plants and animals.

Controlled Burns: Helping the Prairie Grow

One way they manage the land is by doing "controlled burns." This means they carefully set small fires in certain areas. It might sound strange, but these fires actually help the prairie. They clear out old plants and unwanted weeds, allowing new, healthy plants like Garry oaks and Camas to grow better. It also helps prevent bigger, uncontrolled wildfires.

Caring for Garry Oaks

Sometimes, even strong trees like Garry oaks can look a bit tired, especially during dry times. When their leaves start to look old or dry, it's called "senescing." This is a natural part of their life cycle, but land managers also work to ensure the trees have enough water and good conditions to thrive.

Images for kids

• 

  Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea)

• 

  Camas (Camassia quamash)

• 

  White morph of Camassia quamash

• 

  Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) with senescing leaves

• 

  Controlled burn