Benton & Franklin Counties
Funding & Partners
Funding for the Heritage Garden Program in Benton and Franklin counties is provided by the BCD Rates and Charges, FCD rates and charges, and grants from the Washington State Conservation Commission.
What is unique about these counties?
Climate Mapper allows users to map real-time conditions, current forecasts, and future projections of climate information for the area you select. The mapping interface provides climate variables, as well as variables pertinent to agricultural, fire conditions, and water resources. The dynamic mapping interface provides a straightforward way for scientists and decision-makers to visualize climate information. to find your precipitation and climate patterns on your site.
Example snapshot of precipitation in Benton & Franklin counties taken from Climate Mapper:
Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world.
Below is an example soil survey of a Heritage Garden in Kennewick. Once you define your area of interest, WWS will provide a map, summary soil survey and a more detailed report of that area. Click on the map and legend for pop-up views.
Floral Diversity
Like soils and climate, each site is different and forms different plant communities.
Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS)
To learn more about native flora of your area, connect with your local chapter of the WNPS. Take time to explore their website and the many resources presented. Consider joining your chapter of the WNPS.
Burke Herbarium Image Collection
Developed and hosted by the University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum, this website brings together thousands of photographs and contributions from photographers and botanists. Below is an example map. This site also provides descriptive material and numerous photos of each plant species.
Burke's Abronia mellifera County Data Map
Native Land Digital is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that is Indigenous-led. The map is a work in progress and does not represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations. They request input if you find errors.
Below is a still shot of the Native Land Digital's map of the area of Benton & Franklin counties. This map is interactive and best viewed online. Native Land Digital provides tribe identification with links to additional information.
Tribes identified for the areas of Benton & Franklin counties include those listed below the map. Click on each tribe's name to learn more.
Benton & Franklin Counties Tribes