The staff at Whitman Mission National Historic Site has compiled a vascular plant checklist and a collection of voucher specimens. There are 183 specimens in the herbarium. At this time, there are no known federally listed threatened or endangered plant species within the NHS. (See Figure 6, Vegetation)

Whitman Mission is located on the southern extreme of the Palouse Prairie Region. Originally, this prairie was dominated by perennial grasses, principally bluebunch wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus wawawai) which flourished over the plains. Intermixed with it were smaller patches of sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). The region is classified as the Agropyron-Poa habitat type (formerly named Agropyron spicatum, new listing is Pseudoreognaria spicata). Large native herbivore were generally absent from the Palouse, and because of this, the grasses evolved with a low resistance to grazing. Subsequent grazing by domestic livestock and extensive cultivation for wheat are the main reasons why native perennial grasslands are now rare on the Palouse.

The Cayuse Indians inhabited the area around Whitman Mission NHS prior to the 1850s. They practiced very little crop agriculture, depending instead on a partially nomadic existence which emphasized food gathering, horse raising, and salmon fisheries. Fire was used periodically by the Cayuse to burn particular areas to increase the production of wild forage and accessibility of plant foods, to facilitate hunting and travel by burning away underbrush, and to encircle game. The regularity with which the areas on, or near, the historic site were burned historically cannot be determined, but frequent cultural burning of any particular area was probably rare.

It is probable that at the time the mission was established, a mixture of three plant communities occupied the site. At the time the mission was established in 1836, the Walla Walla River flowed through the site during times of high water. On the floodplains along the Walla Walla River and nearby Mill Creek, a narrow plant community consisting of dense tangled thickets of willows (Salix spp.), cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa), wild dogwoods (Cornus spp.), blackberries (Rubus spp.), elderberries (Sambucus spp.), and other species common to riparian areas probably occurred. An association of perennial grasses, shrubs, and native forbs occupied the hillside area where soil depths and drainage were greater. Perennial grasses common to the Palouse dominated the rest of Whitman Mission.

Intermixed throughout the site was giant wild ryegrass (Leymus cinereus, formerly named Elymus cinereus), a species preferring a year-round supply of soil moisture and occurring primarily on clay bottomlands and seepage areas. It now occurs as scattered large bunches of grass, but historically, it may have been more extensive. It was this species that gave the Indian name to the location, Waiilatpu, meaning, place of the people of the rye grass.

It is likely that the Cayuse used the resources at the site at least periodically for centuries before the mission was established. Archeological evidence of modification to the natural conditions has not been documented. However, soon after the mission was established, an irrigation system was developed, crops were planted, and areas were opened to grazing by draft stock and cattle. A considerable number of stock animals moved through the mission from the Oregon Trail, and there was ample opportunity for the introduction of exotic plants. The changes that occurred to the plants and landscape during the time the mission was active-the introduction of domestic livestock, exotic plants and agriculture, and the removal of riparian vegetation for fuel and lumber-were a portent of things to come for the entire Palouse Prairie.

Revegetation Program
In 1985, the NHS staff began a revegetation project with the objective to control non-native weeds that had invaded the park. Some of these plants were on the state and county noxious weed lists as targeted weeds for control and are still serious threats to local agriculture. The short term goal of the NHS staff was to establish healthy stands of grass to successfully compete with these weeds. The non-native grass species were chosen for the following reasons: the species had a good chance for success against the noxious weeds and the weed seeds still in the soil, and they would be similar in appearance to grasses that may have been growing there 150 years ago. Once these grasses were established, the park staff then would be able to gradually replace the non-native grasses with native species thought to be present during the Whitmans' time. This action is in concurrence with the 1984 Landscape Study and Management Alternatives for Revegetation: Whitman Mission National Historic Site which states that the overall goal for revegetation is to maintain the visual aspect of the historic period (USDI, 1984).

In 1989, the NHS staff established a native rye grass demonstration plot by the visitor center. It was planted in a native plant mixture of Magnar Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) and Sherman big bluegrass (Poa secunda). The Magnar Great Basin wildrye grows six to eight feet tall and the Sherman big bluegrass grows two to three feet tall. The bluegrass did not compete well and the entire area is gradually becoming Magnar Great Basin wildrye.

In 1987 and 1988, the 28 acre river oxbow and pasture area was planted with both native and non-native species to reproduce the historic scene. The native Magnar Great Basin wildrye was planted along with two species of non-native grasses, Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Alkar tall wheatgrass. The Alkar tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia pontica) is the main grass in this area and grows to four feet tall. The Reed canary grass grows well on poorly drained soils.

Another native plant that has been discussed for possible use on the Mission Grounds is Sodar streambank wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus). This plant is a native, sod forming grass that grows six to eighteen inches tall. It grows well on a variety of soils and can handle the dry conditions of summer.

Exotic Plants
By 1985, major emphasis for maintenance within the NHS was being placed on revegetation and the control of exotic plant species. Vegetation management has converted 65% of the NHS from exotic grasses and weeds to grasses that grew in the area during Whitman's era, or to grasses that have the same appearance as the native grasses. These native-appearing grasses will gradually be replaced with native species by NHS staff.

A vegetation plan was developed by the NHS staff and implemented for the area surrounding the visitor center. In 1995, vegetative alternatives were developed for treating exotics on the banks of the irrigation channel. Some implementation has been initiated.

In 1997, an inventory of exotic pest plant species identified the following six species of concern: field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), poison hemlock, (Conium maculatum), yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitalis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), and Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium). Control strategies for these species have been developed, and incorporate more extensive use of integrated pest management techniques.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that offers a variety of programs to aid local landowners in Washington State. The agency works in close cooperation with the Walla Walla Conservation District through the NRCS field office in Walla Walla. The following programs are currently available to landowners in the Walla Walla area:

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary 10 year agreement between NRCS and local landowners which pays landowners to seed with native grasses, trees and shrubs. The program is especially profitable to farmers who farm on marginal agricultural soils. Landowners surrounding Whitman Mission National Historic Site with marginal soils can apply for this program.

The Continuous Buffer Program is part of the CRP and pays 50% of installation and 120% of the CRP rental rate per year for up to 15 years. It pays for grass filter strips; grass waterways; forest, shrub, and grass buffers; windbreaks; hedgerows; contour strips; and wildlife watering areas.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is primarily for wildlife habitat, but it can also be used for instream improvements. The minimum time period for participation is five years, with a maximum of 10 years. It pays up to $10,000 for installation of streambank protection, tree and shrub establishment, pond creation or spring development, hedgerow planting, fish stream improvements, filter strips, fencing or other wildlife projects.

The federal Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is a program to help landowners develop a comprehensive management system for the entire farm to address all environmental concerns. Its goal is to produce a sustainable system.

Wildlife

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the only federally listed threatened or endangered wildlife species that has been observed within the NHS boundaries. There are no proposed or candidate species identified within the area of the NHS. There are nine species of concern that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified that may occur within the NHS area. Those species include the following: Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris pretiosa), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), fringed myotis (bat) (Myotis thysanodes) , loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicanus), northern sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus graciosus), pale Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii pallescens), small-footed myotis (bat) (Myotis ciliolabrum), western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugea), and Yuma myotis (bat) (Myotis yumanensis). Species of concern receive no protection under the Endangered Species Act. These species could be proposed or listed during this planning process and come under the scope of the Act.

Information on wildlife is limited because park inventories have not been completed. Quantitative inventories of mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians are needed.

Mammals
Wildlife at Whitman Mission National Historic Site is represented primarily by a variety of small rodents. The most common mammals are cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.), meadow mice (microtus spp.), white-footed mice (Peromyscus spp.), harvest mice (Reithrodontomus fulvenscens), and pocket gophers (Thamomys bottae). Also seen are beavers (Castor canadensis), whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), muskrats (Odontra zibethica), racoons (Procyon lotor), weasels (Mustela spp.), skunks (Mephitis spp.), badgers (Meles spp.), porcupines (Erethizon spp.), and feral house cats (Felis catus).

Birds
A variety of common birds, ducks, and geese have been seen within Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Ninety-three species of birds, ducks, and geese have been observed and recorded. Bird species commonly observed include mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), woodpeckers (Picoides spp. and Melanerpes spp.), barn owls (Tyto alba), swallows (Hirundo spp.), house wrens (Troglodytes aedon), Wilson's warblers (Wilsonia pusilla), Audobon's warblers (Dendroica coronata audoboni), sparrows (Spizella spp., Melospiza spp., and Zonotrichia spp.), juncos (Junco spp.), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), robins (Turdus migratorius), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), crows (Corvus spp.), hawks (Accipeter spp. and Buteo spp.), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Other species seen are California quail (Callipepla californica), bobwhite quail (Colinus spp.) and wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a federally listed species, occasionally pass through the NHS. There are no known nesting sites within or in close proximity to the NHS.

Fish
The following species of fish have recently been found in Mill Creek: steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and sunfish (Eupomotis gibbosus). The USFWS has identified bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and the National Marine Fisheries Service has identified steelhead in the area, both which are federally listed, but there have been no documentated sightings within park waters. No other information is available concerning fish in the waters running through the NHS. However, occasionally fish (carp) enter the irrigation channel.

Reptiles and Amphibians
Bullfrogs (Rana spp.) are known to occupy areas around the Millpond, Mill Creek, and along the irrigation channel. Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) and gopher or bull snakes (Pituphis milanoleucus) have been observed at various locations throughout Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are found in the Millpond and along Mill Creek.

Invertebrates
No information is available concerning invertebrates in the Whitman Mission area.

Natural Quiet and Night Sky

The natural ambient sound environment of Whitman Mission National Historic Site is generally quiet due to its rural nature and agricultural setting. Park visitors often comment on the quietness of the NHS and many visitors say they come to the NHS just because it is quiet. Nonetheless, noise periodically comes from the operation of agricultural equipment near the NHS, occasional crop dusters and planes, the passing of freight trains along the northern boundary, and routine grounds maintenance equipment.

The NPS also considers the night sky as an intrinsic resource that needs protection, just like clean air, clean water and natural quiet. Given its rural location and absence of artificial lights, portions of the NHS are good places to view the night sky. Park staff have taken various measures to reduce light pollution, including the use of light shields, and recessed lights. Although park hours are for day use only, the local colleges have been allowed permits to conduct astronomy observations from the park. This activity occurs primarily in areas away from exterior lighting, including areas to the south of the visitor center, on top of Memorial Hill, and around the maintenance area.

Fire

The Whitman Mission National Historic Site Fire Management Plan was updated in May, 2000. Current fire management activities include fire suppression and the application of prescribed fire. Management of natural ignitions for resource benefit is not feasible on the NHS because of the small size of the site and the number of sensitive resources. It would be difficult to contain a natural fire within the boundaries of the NHS.

All unplanned ignitions, both lightning-caused and human-caused, are suppressed in the site to protect sensitive park resources, as well as to prevent damage to neighboring private lands. The park has the responsibility for fire suppression but carries it out through agreements with the local county fire district and the U.S. Forest Service.

Prescribed burns are presently conducted at the NHS on an annual basis at different areas of the park to maintain, to the extent possible, the role of fire in the ecosystem. The purpose of the burns is to promote the health and vigor of the grasses and to reduce the spread of noxious weeds. Most burns are conducted in the late fall or early spring. This timing allows the fire to consume previous year's dead, dried grass stems and leaves, but not damage the grass plants' roots.

The chief of interpretation and resource management and other qualified staff coordinate with the Umatilla National Forest and local fire departments to plan and implement all prescribed burns. Prescribed burning activities usually last only a few days a year. Between 10 and 20 acres are burned each year, and most areas of the park are burned every 3 to 5 years. The park only burns on county "Burn Days" to facilitate smoke dispersal.

There are no future management changes anticipated. However, if more land area within the park is planted with native grasses, fire will probably play a part in its maintenance.

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