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Overhulse Wetlands Preserve:
20 Acres located
near the intersection of
Overhulse
Road & Evergreen
Parkway.
The
shrub-scrub wetland was formerly wooded, but flooding
resulting from beaver activity has covered a large
portion of the property by a wetland, killing trees and
leaving a multitude of snags now enjoyed by woodpeckers
and perched raptors. This property has been rated as
Category 1 (best remaining habitat) by the City of
Olympia. The property provides excellent wildlife
viewing opportunities.
Trust Receives Overhulse Wetland
(Issue 23 Spring 1997)
Kevin Ekar
and his partner, Bob Olson, have donated the title to a seven acre
shrub-scrub wetland located at the northern end of Overhulse Road near
The Evergreen State College. The parcel runs for 530' along the road
and extends about 600' back. Beavers have backed up waters into a
formerly forested area killing the trees and leaving a multitude of
snags now enjoyed by woodpeckers and perched raptors.
In its 1993
Wildlife Habitat Survey, the City of Olympia rated this area as
Category 1 or the best remaining habitat. Visual sight lines into the
wetland from Overhulse road are wonderful, affording excellent
wildlife viewing opportunities.
The waters
flow southeast from the wetland towards Green Cove Creek and through a
large-lot subdivision soon to be developed by the donors. This
donation is an excellent example of how sensitive residential
development can proceed while preserving the wildlife habitat and
water quality values of a critical wetland.
Our parcel
was legally separated early in the subdivision process, and had no
development potential. By giving the parcel to the Trust and not a
homeowner's association, the developers ensured active, long-term,
professional protection for the wetland as well as realizing a
significant charitable contribution. The neighborhood wins, the
developers win, and we do, too.
Lea Mitchell,
who lives nearby, has volunteered to be the Steward for this
acquisition. She and her neighbors will keep an eye on the property,
monitoring its condition and use and recommending any management
actions needed to maintain the natural values of the site. The Trust
looks forward to recruiting more volunteers like Lea as our ownerships
increase in size and number. Call the office if you're interested.
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