By Holly M. Kress | Resource Development Officer
With abundant spring rains the Pacific Rim Institute (PRI) prairie is lush with growth, and one flower’s success has caused particular excitement. Here at PRI we have been working to cultivate a population of Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) on the prairie. Golden paintbrush is considered a “threatened” species federally and “endangered” in Washington State. Last month, we held our annual count of the plants, and the total exceeded 1,400 individuals. This increase has been due not only to good growing conditions, but to your investment in this and other creation stewardship projects at PRI.
It is an honor for us to be engaged in this fruitful work, and we are committed to pursuing this and other land-healing projects in the future. With support from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service we are currently developing a land management plan to guide our efforts. We look forward to creating a sustainable restoration plan for this property and showing you the difference your investment is making.
More info on the Golden paintbrush:
The Golden paintbrush once brightened summer on coastal prairies from Oregon to British Columbia but now is confined to 11 small populations, 4 of which occur on Whidbey Island. Federally listed as a “threatened” species, its recovery plan calls for establishing 20 self-sustaining populations of 1,000 plants each. One recovery population is being created on PRI’s prairie. As the attached graph indicates, this beautiful piece of cultural and ecological heritage seems to be finding success on our prairie. We thank our vital partners in this venture:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The Nature Conservancy
University of Washington
and many local volunteers and donors
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