A hidden nature gem in Graham is perfect for all ages and seasons

The Morse Wildlife Preserve is a 238-acre preserve of conifer forest, wetlands, oak savanna, and prairie located in Graham.

It was established in 1995 by a donation of land from Lloyd and Maxine Morse. In 2008, Lloyd Morse donated an additional 48 acres for wildlife and education. Located a few miles from the Morse Wildlife Preserve is the Maxine G. Morse Nature Conservancy, which is a forested preserve with compact wetlands and a two-mile trail.

Forterra owns the preserve and they and the Tahoma Audubon Society both manage the Preserve for wildlife and education, as well as volunteers lead by “The Morse Force.”

The primary goal of those groups is to protect and conserve endemic wildlife species. There are various types of mammals, birds, insects, and aquatic fowl who call the preserve home. As of 2007 it’s also the home of the uncommon western bluebird.

The wetlands make up about half of the preserve, consisting of a large pond and numerous non-compartmentalized waterways. The configuration of this wetland changes regularly due to beaver dam building and is also home for the migrating and resident birds. According to the preserve workers, cougars, bears and elk have been seen but are sparse.

Stuart Wilson, lands manager at the preserve, is responsible for building and trail maintenance, patrolling and ensuring public safety.
“Morse Wildlife Preserve is a wonderful and special place,” Wilson said. “It has the appropriate infrastructure to host groups of students or bird watchers seeking a diverse natural setting in Graham. The property has Douglas fir forest, prairie, and wetland - including Muck Creek, and forested wetlands, so there's a wide variety of habitats to visit.”

The preserve also hosts monthly school and community groups for activities such as water quality monitoring, invertebrate monitoring, native plant ecology, bird watching and trail construction. The public is also welcome to come walk and enjoy the property,  see animals and the diversity of native vegetation.

During spring and summer the public can walk the numerous trails twice a month.

“Our main event that is open to the public is second Sundays. The second Sunday of each month the property is open to the public,” Wilson said of the April to October event.

The 2018 Second Sundays open to the public times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates: April 8, May 13, Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Sept 9, and Oct 14.

Stuart said the best part of the preserve was the bird tower.

“The bird tower is really cool. You can walk up almost three stories above the prairie and wetland for a literal ‘bird’s eye view’ of the property,” he said.

The barn at Morse Wildlife Preserve that was built circa 1910, is also listed on the Washington State Historic Barn Register and the Pierce County Historic Landmarks Register. Although it was used for many years, in 2011 it was closed down because of safety concerns with the roof.

In June 2013, Forterra held a campaign to raise funds to create a grant from Pierce County to fix the barn. The campaign was run through crowd funding website IndieGoGo, which raised $520 from donors, which resulted in behind the scenes donations that achieved their fundraising goal.

“The Morse Wildlife Preserve would not be what it is today without the dedicated support of volunteers known as the Morse Force,” Wilson said. “The Morse Force volunteers dedicate hundreds of hours each year to stewarding the property. Next time you visit Morse Wildlife Preserve you'll surely see a Morse Force member on the grounds. Be sure to thank them for their efforts.”

For more information and to visit the Preserve, visit morsewildlifepreserve.org.