Perry Creek RNA

Perry Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent a mosaic of forest, valley bottom, aquatic, and subalpine communities including its diverse and rich assemblage of fern species. The RNA encompasses a majority of the Perry Creek drainage basin. The topography is extremely rugged. Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and red alder (Alnus rubra) are dominant tree species. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock, western red cedar (Thuja plicata), Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), and Alaska yellowcedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) dominate forests on the basin bottom. Vine maple (Acer circinatum), Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), red alder (Alnus rubra), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), and associated ferns are common shrubs in areas where disturbance is frequent.  Lance-leaved grape-fern (Botrychium lanceolatum), moonwort (Botrychium lunaria), mingan moonwort (Botrychium minganense), mountain moonwort (Botrychium montanum), northern grape-fern (Botrychium pinnatum), and little grape-fern (Botrychium simplex) are rare species growing within the RNA.