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Northwest facing view from Preserve trail in upland section.
Photo: T. Brown
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Cultural and Natural History of Rose Creek Nature Preserve
The Preserve land was originally part of the Parvin estate during the
first half of the 1900’s. The ownership transferred to the Heidenreich
of Pullman in an estate transaction. Again ownership changed hands in
1957, when Dr. and Mrs. George Hudson bought twenty-two acres from the
Heidenreichs. In 1966 the Hudsons donated twelve of those acres to The
Nature Conservancy as Rose Creek Nature Preserve.
When the Hudsons bought the Rose Creek property the area was severely
over-grazed (Bess Hudson, personal communication, 1979). Shortly after
they purchased the property, the Hudsons began restoration of the land.
About 1960 a Washington State University forestry class planted western
juniper (Juniperous occidentalis) on the hillside near the
southeastern boundary of the preserve. Although western juniper is
native to parts of Idaho, it is not considered native to the Palouse
region. The annual cutting on the hayfield was the only other
modification of the environment to date.
Windblown silt-loam deposits and basalt bedrock dominate the geology of
Rose Creek Nature Preserve (RCNP). The two primary soil types on the
preserve are the Caldwell silt loam and the Tucannon silt loam. Both
soils were formed from windblown silt. For more about soils, native
palouse plant species, or site specific information follow the links
below.
Palouse Prairie
foundation
Natural Resources
Conservation Service: Soils
PCEI References and
Reports
Reference: Synopsis of Cultural History and Past Use from
Byophysical Inventory and Management Guidelines for Rose Creek Nature
Preserve by Chuck Olsen 1980 |
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