Grass Lake Research Natural Area Establishment Record

Grass Lake Research Natural Area contains the largest sphagnum bog in California. The RNA is a diverse mosaic of wetland communities in a montane valley, on the rim of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Six different terrestrial communities are represented: sphagnum bog, montane meadow, Jeffrey pine forest, red fir forest, lodgepole pine forest, and aspen riparian forest. 

More than 270 species of vascular plants have been identified from the RNA vicinity. Tree species occurring in the RNA include red fir (Abies magnifica), western white pine (Pinus monticola), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) and aspen (Populus tremuloides).