Priority Habitats and Species (PHS)

PHS on the Web is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife web-based, interactive map for citizens, landowners, governments, developers, conservation groups, and interested parties to find basic information about the known location of Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) in Washington State. PHS is a source of best available science that can inform local planning activities, development projects, conservation strategies, incentive programs, and numerous other land use applications. Learn more >>

Species and Habitat Management Recommendations

Landscape Planning:

• Landscape Planning for Washington's Wildlife: Managing for Biodiversity in Developing Areas
  Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2009. 88 pp + App.
  
  • Appendix B: Species and Development Database - MS Excel Format
  • Appendix C: Stressor Tables - MS Excel Format
  • Appendix D: Species and Habitat Metrics Tables - MS Excel Format

Management Recommendations For Washington's Priority Species:

• Volume I: Invertebrates
  Larsen, E.M., E. Rodrick, and R. Milner, eds. 1995. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 82pp.
• Volume III: Amphibians and Reptiles
  Larsen, E. M., editor. 1997. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 122pp.
• Volume IV: Birds
  Larsen, E. M., J. M. Azerrad, and N. Nordstrom, eds. 2004. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 268pp.
  
  • 2012 update to Management Recommendations for Great Blue Heron
  • Single Page Management Recommendations for Birds
• Volume V: Mammals
  Azerrad, J. M., editor. August, 2004. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia.
  • 2011 revision to Habitat Management Recommendations for Mazama Pocket Gopher
  • List of Consultants trained by WDFW for Mazama pocket gopher survey protocols
  • Map of Mazama pocket gopher habitat in Pierce and Thurston Counties
  • 2010 update to Mammal Management Recommendations for Western Gray Squirrel
• Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister)
  Fisher, Wendy and Velasquez, Donald. December, 2008. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia.
• Management Recommendations for Washington's Priority Habitats and Species
  Rodrick, E. and R. Milner, eds. 1991. Washington Department of Wildlife, Olympia.

Management Recommendations For Washington's Priority Habitats:

• Managing Shrub-steppe in Developing Landscapes
  Azerrad, J. M., K. A. Divens, M. F. Livingston, M. S. Teske, H. L. Ferguson, and J. L. Davis. 2011. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 86pp.
  
  The following documents are condensed versions of sections found in WDFW’s Shrub-Steppe Management Recommendations.
  • Long-range Planning: Considering the Shrub-steppe Landscape
  • Site-specific Management: How to Avoid and Minimize Impacts of Development to Shrub-steppe

  The following document provides guidance for those interested in shrub-steppe restoration.

• Shrub-Steppe and Grassland Restoration Manual for the Columbia River Basin
• Riparian Habitat
  Knutson K. L., and V. L. Naef. 1997. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 181 pp.
• Oregon White Oak Woodlands Habitat
  Larsen, E. M., and J. T. Morgan. 1998. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 37pp.  
• Management Recommendations for Washington's Priority Habitats and Species
  Rodrick, E. and R. Milner, eds. 1991. Washington Department of Wildlife, Olympia.

Other PHS Documents:

• The Value of Priority Habitat and Species Management Recommendations to Land Use Planning: A User Survey Summary
• Land Use Planning for Salmon, Steelhead and Trout
  Knight, K., 2009. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia.
• Watershed Processes and Aquatic Resources: A Literature Review
  Christopher May, Urban Watersheds, Drainage & Wastewater, Seattle Public Utilities

Species and habitat recommendations currently in development:

• Riparian Habitat (Update)

Other Documents Concerning Priority Habitats and Species:

• Aquatic Habitat Guidelines
  A series of guidelines documents to facilitate the consistant application of good science and practice for resources and habitat management, project design, construction, and operation in, near, or affecting aquatic systems.
• Bald Eagle Protection in Washington State
  This document provides general information for landowners about requirements and procedures related to Bald Eagle Management Plans and habitat protection in Washington State.
• Best Available Science for Freshwater wetlands
  A joint Department of Ecology and Department of Fish and Wildlife project, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Woodland Fish and Wildlife Project Publications
  Publications in this series provide practical information on fish and wildlife management to private woodland owners and managers.