Fish Creek Rim RNA

Fish Creek Rim Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent upper elevation shrub-grasslands, with extensive stands of mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius). Shrublands are dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus), low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) and bittercherry (Prunus emarginata). Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) and small stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and white fir (Abies concolor) are scattered throughout the stand. Sensitive plant species include nodding melic (Melica stricta) and dwarf lousewort (Pedicularis centranthera).