The primary purposes of Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA encompasses 478 acres of former agricultural lands. The land for this area was purchased from numerous private individuals in 2012, 2013, and 2018. DEC continues to purchase additional lands and provide the necessary infrastructure for public use.

The National Audubon Society has identified a significant part of this area of Washington County farmlands as an Important Bird Area (leaves DEC website), specifically for grassland birds, whose numbers are in sharp decline in the country and in New York State. In addition, DEC has identified specific farmland areas (both active and abandoned) in Washington County as critically important to several species of grassland birds. Wildlife to Watch

• Short-eared Owl
• Heslow's Sparrow
• Killdeer
• Bobolink
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Northern Harrier
• Upland Sandpiper