Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is a state-protected
Natural Area in southwest
Washington state
Washington (), officially the State of Washington, is a U.S. state, state in the Northwestern United States, Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named for George Washington—the first President of the United States, U.S. p ...
, United States. The preserve includes some of the Washington
mima mounds, the origin of which still is not fully understood. The site comprises of
Garry oak
''Quercus garryana'' is an oak tree species of the Pacific Northwest, with a range stretching from southern California to southwestern British Columbia. It is commonly known as the Oregon white oak or Oregon oak or, in Canada, the Garry oak. ...
woodland,
oak savanna
An oak savanna is a type of savanna—or lightly forested grassland—where oaks (''Quercus ''spp.) are the dominant trees. The terms "oakery" or "woodlands" are also used commonly, though the former is more prevalent when referencing the Medite ...
, and
prairie grasslands. Several state and federal
endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...
of
butterfly
Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group compris ...
depending on the unique prairie conditions can be found in the preserve, including
Mardon skipper,
zerene fritillary,
Puget blue and
Taylor's checkerspot.
In 1966, the mima mounds were designated a
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only national natural areas program that identifies and recognizes the best ...
.
See also
*
Rocky Prairie
References
External links
*
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Protected areas of Thurston County, Washington
Washington Natural Areas Program
National Natural Landmarks in Washington (state)
Landforms of Thurston County, Washington
Protected areas established in 1976
1976 establishments in Washington (state)