Description ● Accomplishments ● Directions ● Photos

For a detailed map, or for directions, click here .

Approximately 40 volunteers showed up at the Amon Basin workday on November 28, 2009. A variety of plants were planted by the volunteers. In addition, they also prepared and installed beaver cages to protect some of the recently planted trees.

Amon Basin Workday Photo Slideshow

The largest tributary to the Lower Yakima River is Amon Creek. It is located in south Richland in the Meadow Springs area. Amon Creek drains the Badger Canyon area and runs through a golf course as well as several housing developments. The wetlands on the West Fork have been identified as the highest rated "value" wetlands in southeastern Washington. It is the only natural connection between the basalt ridges that border the Tri-Cites and the three rivers that join in the immediate area. It is a crucial wildlife corridor that allows for movement of large mammals as well as hundreds of birds throughout the increasingly developed area. Because of the endangered state of this urban wilderness the Tapteal Greenway is working to protect it. The connectivity to the Yakima River makes it a natural for our conservation work as well as the educational potential of the surrounding habitat. The wetlands are encircled by one of the last remaining shrub steppe parcels in the Tri-City area. Plans for this area include a muscle powered open space park with interpretive signs and educational opportunities. The vision is that of a Natural Central Park for the Mid-Columbia region, the only one of it's kind in Eastern Washington.

The land along Amon Creek is a patchwork of private, state and Federal property. Our current effort is the Amon Basin Community Project Phase 3. The goal is to secure the remaining 125 acres in Amon Basin as a conservation easement to complete the Regional Central Park theme. The current development plan for the remaining Amon Basin acres is a 438 housing unit known as Springwater. The city of Richland is planning two roads and two bridges to service this development. The roads and the bridges will cut through the heart of the Amon Creek Natural Preserve and destroy the remaining habitat buffer that adjoins the Preserve. The targeted habitat is home to the Black-tailed jackrabbit and the American Badger; both are listed as species of concern in Washington State. Amon Creek and the Amon Basin buffer are interlocked as one habitat supporting over 100 species of birds, river otters, beavers, raptors and unique reptiles. The proposed Springwater development will devastate the Amon Basin ecosystem forever.

This rare urban wilderness needs your help NOW. Development pressures on the Tri-Cities are intense. Preserving land in Amon Basin is a complex and costly effort. This will be our last chance to preserve this very unique ecosystem. Please consider giving this great gift to your community, a legacy you can be very proud of. The moment has arrived for us to take a stand, if we hesitate we will lose this ecosystem forever.
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The following Phase 1 goals have been completed:

• Purchased 60 acres of the Amon Creek corridor and established a conservation easement to protect the habitat.
• Donated the Amon Creek purchase to the City of Richland to be established as a Natural Preserve in the city park system.

The following Phase 2 goals have been completed:

• Expanded area near Claybell Park by 39 acres.
• Completed Amon Creek Preserve plant survey.
• Received volunteer activities (1000 hours from Team Battelle and contributions from Scouts).
• Received REI grant to help offset costs of trailhead kiosks.
• Received Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Grant for water quality sampling/education.
• Placed access signs at two Amon Creek Preserve access points.
• Purchase 15.5-acre connective corridor between Claybell Park and Amon Creek Preserve.
• Develop restoration plan based on surveys of water quality, plants, fish, and wildlife.
• Received grant for water quality sampling. 2009 Water Quality Study

The following Phase 2 goals are still in progress:

• Purchase additional acres to protect habitat crucial to the Amon Creek Preserve.
• Begin restoration and establish a trail system for public access.
• Purchase and place benches and signs.
• Place additional access control signs.
• Control illegal vehicle access and dumping.

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The day we hoped would be far down the road has parked right in front of us. The remaining shrub steppe parcel in Amon Basin will soon be up for sale. The stimulus money that pushed the Steptoe project up the priority ladder has cast a dark shadow over Amon Basin. We planned on more time to consider this issue but we do not have any more time. We have to consider it now. Once Steptoe is on the way then the 195 remaining acres will be put up for sale and the jackrabbits of Amon Basin will become one of the street names in the new development.

So, do we consider it? Can we pull this off again and save the rest of Amon Basin? The Tapteal Greenway Board of Directors has given their blessing to pursue this. Has the community given their blessing? The city prefers that rooftops replace the sage. They prefer that a bridge cross Amon Creek at Rachel road and connect with Steptoe and all the new neighborhoods in-between. The skinny Amon Creek Natural Preserve corridor will be surrounded by pavement and people. Will the community give their blessing to the development or will the community commit to an effort to save this last piece of wildlands we have left in the Tri Cites?

Please consider joining our effort to preserve and protect this last stand of wetland, riparian, shrub steppe in the Tri Cites area, the Central Natural Park of the Mid-Columbia. Contact us via this web site or call 627-3621 to join the effort.

To find this gem amid the urban sprawl, follow the directions below or go to Google Maps :

• Take US I-82 southwest towards Yakima, exit Queensgate south , turn left at second stop light (Keene Rd.), continue south east (appox. 2 miles) to light at Gage Blvd. turn left again, get in right lane, next light (Leslie), turn right and head south; you may turn left on Broadmoor and park in Claybell Park. Amon Basin will be spread out to the south where the green park grass ends with the East fork on your left and the West fork on your right; or you may continue south on Leslie for another 1/4 mile + or - turn left on Center Blvd. and follow that road to the dead end. Get out and walk down the gravel road and Amon Basin will be all that is not dozed under ( as of 10-21-05) in front of you.
• You may also exit Hwy 240 heading south from Richland or Northwest from Kennewick/Pasco at the Wye and turn west on Columbia Park Trail, go past the motel and take a left on (approx. 1/2 mile) Leslie, continue on Leslie Rd. through the Gage intersection, turn left on Broadmoor or Center Blvd to find the Amon Basin as per above instructions.

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