The South Fork of the Stillaguamish is an outstanding wild river located just one hour northeast of Seattle on the west slope of the Cascades. The upper Stilly is the most popular recreational area in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The free-flowing river is the centerpiece for a diverse ecosystem that includes wetlands, sphagnum bogs, cedar stands, deciduous riparian forest and old growth coniferous forest. The South Fork is a corridor for wildlife that links examples of all western Washingtons ecosystems, from alpine to estuarine. The Stilly is also one of the few Puget Sound rivers with good natural fish production. The salmon fishery draws a wintering population of bald eagles to the Stilly, where they roost on the forested hillsides. Western Rivers Conservancy acquired land along two segments of the South Fork Stillaguamish River, helping to keep fish runs healthy and creating an historic river park for the Seattle area.