Bonaparte Meadows’ 745 acres includes 265 acres of rare peat-fen habitat that will now be preserved thanks to a successful fundraising campaign.
Bonaparte Meadows, a unique wetland east of Tonasket that supports rare plants, birds and butterflies will be preserved, now that the Okanogan Land Trust (OLT) has reached its fundraising goal to purchase the 745 acres, including approximately 265 acres of rare peat-fen habitat.
The campaign raised $1.5 million, which supplements a $1.2-million grant to cover the $2.4-million purchase and related costs. The money will also seed a fund for long-term stewardship.
OLT had raised about three-quarters of the money by the original deadline of July 31. That strong support encouraged the Jones family, who own the property, to extend the deadline by a month. OLT Executive Director Kate Miller announced they had reached their fundraising goal on Aug. 12.
Bonaparte Meadows contains one of the rarest habitats in North America, called a calcareous fen, a mineral-rich wetland with alkaline soil and water. Calcareous fens have peat soils that clean and filter water. They hold water when it’s plentiful and slowly release it during dry times, helping recharge streams and the surrounding aquifer.
The uniqueness of the site attracted support from across the region. Naturalists, botanists and birders from the Methow and Okanogan valleys found 141 bird species, a butterfly that relies on plants that grow only in wetland microhabitats, and a frog that’s in decline because of habitat loss. To date, the team has found 36 species of plants and animals that have special status in Washington and need protection.
The fact so many different kinds of life thrive at Bonaparte Meadows is what makes the site so exceptional, said Julie Vanderwal, a Methow Valley resident and certified ecological restoration practitioner. Vanderwal became familiar with the area when she was conservation coordinator for the Okanogan Highlands Alliance, and has been imagining a way of protecting Bonaparte Meadows since 2010.
“This campaign began with the dream of protecting an extraordinary and beloved local landmark, and a very big goal,” Miller said in a press release about the successful campaign. “Reaching it is the result of hundreds of people choosing to be part of the future of Bonaparte Meadows. Every donation, share, conversation, partnership, and word of encouragement helped carry this effort forward. We are deeply grateful.”
Restoration planning
Several years ago, property owner Herman “Jack” Jones floated the idea of selling the property. After his death last year, OLT, Vanderwal and the Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department talked with his sons about the potential for purchasing the property to preserve its unique ecological functions. That led to a purchase-option agreement if the money could be raised in time.
The fen at Bonaparte Meadows is just south of Bonaparte Lake, a popular resort area with cabins and a U.S. Forest Service campground. Previous plans for the site include creating a lake over the fen with lots for vacation homes. In addition to the fen, the property supports a connected matrix of wetland, meadow, shrub, forest, and upland habitats used by a wide range of wildlife.
With the campaign fully funded, OLT is working on acquisition and permanent conservation of Bonaparte Meadows. That will allow for restoration of areas affected by past peat extraction, Miller said. They plan to form a steering committee of people with expertise in soils, hydrology, wildlife and plants to guide protection and restoration that supports the biodiversity. Future plans include enhanced public access and education.
Project partners include Trout Unlimited, Okanogan Conservation District, North Central Washington Audubon Society, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Vanderwal’s company, Sparrow Song Consulting.
