Stinger Creek

Stinger Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) with bitterbrush (Purshia), old-growth ponderosa pine with mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus), Ross sedge, and low sagebrush scablands. The RNA has flat to rolling topography with two intermittent streams and numerous low basalt cliffs. Stinger Creek, an unnamed creek, and two smaller draws lie between the intermittent streams.  Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), mountain mahogany, and Wheeler’s bluegrass (Poa wheeleri) dominate the forested portions of the RNA, along with occasional patches of serviceberry (Amelanchier), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and one small stand of aspen. A low-sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass - Idaho fescue (Festucaidahoensis) scabland lies on the north end of the RNA.