OUR GOAL

To comprehensively map the Garry oaks of the Puget Sound to benefit nature and humanity.

The Sound Oaks Initiative brings together Garry oak (Quercus garryana) mapping data to further improve our understanding of Garry oak ecosystems in the Puget Trough Ecoregion. Garry oak ecosystems are important to study, especially after being identified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as a habitat that is critically imperiled and at risk of extinction.

Using cutting-edge GIS science in the digital cloud, interactive maps are available in an easy to use map viewer to encourage stakeholder access and conservation collaboration. The mapping data generated by this project has already proven to have multiple uses and beneficiaries.

The Initiative is supported by the members and donors of the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, a conservation nonprofit based on Whidbey Island that focuses exclusively on Garry oak outreach, education, and preservation.

Phase 1 | Whidbey Island

In Progress – We have identified the locations of Garry oak habitat on Whidbey Island to be included in the first phase of the project. The North Sound Subregion is a critical conservation priority because the region contains only small, fragmented pockets of intact habitat.

Future phases will include Garry oak habitat in Skagit, San Juan, Jefferson, Clallam, and Whatcom counties – the only counties with significant remaining Garry oak populations in the North Sound. Passive collection of data from other subregions will be accepted for inclusion.

MAPPING DATA DEFINITIONS

These data definitions are sourced from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, and the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society. In some cases, the definitions have been modified from the original to better fit the scope and scale of this research initiative.

Oak Dominant Forest

Greater than 25% crown cover of Garry oaks in the main and upper canopy layers and less than 25% crown cover of conifers in the main and upper canopy layers. Broadleaf trees (e.g. ash, maple, madrone) other than oak may or may not be co-dominant with oak. In addition to native, undisturbed conditions, this type can include stands on agricultural lands, rural residential lands, or undeveloped stands within urban/suburban landscapes.

Scattered Oak Canopy

5-25% total tree cover of which at least half is Garry oak. In addition to native, undisturbed conditions, this type can include stands on agricultural lands or rural residential lands.

Urban Garry Oak Canopy

Urban or suburban yards, gardens, developed parks, cemeteries, golf courses, etc., that have a minimum of 10% crown cover of Garry oak.

Coastal Bluff Oak Canopy

Steep slopes over 30% along the ocean with an understory dominated by shrubs and forbs. A minimum of 10% crown cover of Garry oak, may occur in mixed stands with Madrona, Douglas-fir, and Seaside Juniper.

Oak Conifer Forest

Main and upper canopy layers are composed of a mix of Garry oak and conifer with each constituting at least 25% crown cover; may also be co-dominated by other broadleaf trees. In addition to native, undisturbed conditions, this type can include stands on agricultural lands, rural residential lands, or undeveloped stands within urban/suburban landscapes.

Oak Habitat Restoration

Garry oak habitat restoration area where Garry oak trees and Garry oak ecosystem plants (though not required) are the primary restoration element(s).

Living Garry Oak

Point sizes correspond to known tree diameters.

Dead Garry Oak

Point sizes correspond to either known or estimated tree diameters.

Planted Garry Oak

Point sizes are fixed.

References & Resources

Chappell, C.B., M.S. Gee, and B. Stephens. A Geographic Information System Map Of Existing Grasslands And Oak Woodlands In The Puget Lowland And Willamette Valley Ecoregions, Washington. 2008. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Olympia, W.A.
Restoring British Columbia’s Garry Oak Ecosystems: Principles and Practices. 2011. Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT). Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Priority Habitat and Species List. Olympia, Washington. Pp. 260-261
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2015. Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan: 2015 Update. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington, USA. Pp. 4-95 – 4-96

Using citizen science, the Sound Oaks Initiative is mapping Garry oak habitat throughout the Puget Sound region. The Initiative maps the boundaries of several distinct oak habitat types, and conducts inventories of individual Garry oak trees. Check back often as we continue to build our maps!

INITIATIVE MAP

After losing an estimated 99% of its historical habitat in the Puget Sound, here’s where Garry oak habitat still exists – and the collective works of people determined to restore it.

Explore

FEATURED VIEW

To protect its namesake tree, Oak Harbor, WA is quickly becoming the epicenter of Garry oak restoration and celebration in the North Sound Subregion.