 It is a place of unique geologic history and contains some rare plant communities, an old growth hemlock stand, ... active bald eagle nest[s] ... and is a major site of river otter reintroduction.Departmental policy is protection of the natural values of the Canyon from development and overuse, and restoration of the area to as near a natural condition as possible.The gorge has over 225 species of wildflowers, plants and trees, with scattered stands of old growth forest on some of its steepest walls.