As The Lands Council begins to celebrate its 40th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the incredible people who make our mission to restore and revitalize the Inland Northwest possible. At the heart of this effort is our Board President, Kate Vanskike, whose journey with The Lands Council began in the most endearing way—planting trees with her young daughter.

“When my daughter was 6 or 7, I saw the opportunity to plant trees as a great event to do with her. We loved it and kept doing it for several years,” Kate shared. Over time, this tradition grew into something bigger. She began inviting friends and family to join, discovering that the enthusiasm of volunteers was contagious. “People at these events are so positive and genuinely excited to be doing something good for the land and for the community.”

This love for community and the environment eventually led Kate to step into a leadership role. As Board President, she draws motivation from The Lands Council’s dedicated staff. “These are passionate, hard-working people who do what they do because they truly love the work,” she explained.

A Legacy of Collaboration and Impact

The Lands Council is not only one of the oldest environmental nonprofits in the Spokane region—it’s also a leader in fostering community collaborations. Reflecting on what sets the organization apart, Kate points to efforts like the 2024 Legislative Summit and volunteer events that bring people from diverse backgrounds together for a common cause.

This commitment to unity and shared purpose has shaped Kate’s vision for the board. “In 2024, my focus was entirely on the development and structure of the board itself,” she said. Recognizing that too much of the administrative load had fallen on Executive Director Amanda’s shoulders, Kate prioritized streamlining board communications and operations. “Thanks to great co-leaders on the executive committee, we made significant progress in organizing ourselves better to help the organization.”

Growing for the Future

As The Lands Council looks to the future, she is energized by the opportunities ahead. Establishing an endowment is one of the recent milestones Kate is particularly proud of. “While we are 40 years old, we are still new to some of the things that help make a nonprofit as strong as possible. We now have an endowment, and I’m hopeful we can continue to grow that gift and garner greater support from individual and corporate donors.”

Kate is also excited about the organization’s efforts to strengthen relationships with regional tribes. “I have great respect for the knowledge and passion of Indigenous communities around care of the Earth. I’m really grateful the staff wants to do work that benefits our tribal neighbors.”

A Personal Connection to Nature

Beyond her work with The Lands Council, Kate finds joy and renewal in nature. She’s a long-time supporter of the National Parks Conservation Association and a self-proclaimed tree hugger—literally. “I’ve loved learning about forest bathing over the past several years. When I call myself a tree hugger, I mean that very literally,” she said.

Locally, she enjoys walks through Spokane’s scenic landscapes and kayaking on calm waters during the summer.

Looking Ahead

Under Kate’s guidance, The Lands Council is poised to continue its mission of environmental stewardship for years to come. Her dedication to community, collaboration, and care for the Earth embodies the spirit of The Lands Council as we celebrate this milestone anniversary and build toward a thriving future.