The upland bird population of the Tonasket Ranger District in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests got a major boost, thanks to a fencing project supported by Wildlife Forever. The fences were designed to control livestock along Cox Creek and in Cox Meadow, which were overgrazing and preventing grasses and sedges in the meadow from serving as important habitat for ruffed grouse and other upland birds. Vegetation began recovering immediately after the fences were constructed, with grasses, riparian vegetation, and a young woody component now overhanging the streambed.