Connley Hills RNA

Connley Hills Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent western juniper  (Juniperus occidentalis) plant communities. The RNA lies in the Connley Hills, a small range of low mountains with a variety of aspects and slopes. Western juniper dominates the forested areas of the RNA and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), Wyoming sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), and western needlegrass (Achnatherum occidentale) are the primary understory species.