The Big Valley unit is 1,164 acres about five miles northwest of Winthrop between Highway 20 and the Methow River. The area is mostly flat with little elevation change. It was purchased primarily for endangered fisheries riparian habitat protection along the Methow River, but is also in the migratory path of deer moving north and south between winter ranges in the lower valley and summer ranges in the upper Methow Valley and Pasayten Wilderness. The riparian vegetation shades and cools the river for endangered salmon and steelhead, but it�s also beneficial for neo-tropical birds, mule and white-tailed deer, bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, mink, otter, and beaver. Several side channels in the riverine floodplain provide winter habitat for fish and important water storage for recharge of the Methow River. Farm fields along highway 20 are planted with alfalfa, cereal grains and native vegetation to increase food and cover for a number of species.