News
By Adam Gebauer
Recently, there has been much headway in the continued process of returning salmon above the blocked areas of the Upper Columbia above Chief Jospeh Dam and Grand Coulee, including the Spokane Watershed. There are a lot of state and federal funds to support salmon and habitat restoration in Washington but because salmon have been blocked from these waters for over 80 years this funding does not always reach this side of the state.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), managing 245 million acers of public land, is proposing a new rule that would balance conservation with other land uses such as mining and grazing.
The BLM has a public comment period open till June 20th and will have a virtual listening session on June 5th 8:30-10:30.
By Adam Gebauer
For a long time, The Lands Council has known the value of beavers on the landscape. They are tenacious wetland engineers who create habitats for all kinds of water loving species as well as improve the hydrology; connect streams to their floodplains; recharge water tables; and add complexity that improves fish habitat. But sometimes the industrious nature of beavers comes into conflict with the built environment.
The winter solstice is a time of year when the days are shortest and the nights are longest. It is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one. For those of us living in the Inland Northwest, it is also a time to consider how we can protect and conserve our natural environment.
By Adam Gebauer
As we recently celebrated the return of salmon - for ceremony and research - to the Spokane watershed, the fight to save the world’s largest sockeye runs in Bristol Bay continues. Please take action to help permanently protect the fish, wildlife, and people that rely on this pristine watershed. Help finalize the permanent protection for Bristol Bay under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act.
By Adam Gebauer
At 16.7 million acres, the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska is the largest forest within the National Forest system. The Tongass is also the largest intact coastal rainforest supporting over 400 animal species - including habitat for the largest concentration of black bear as well as unique population of salmon-eating wolves. The streams and coastal region of the Tongass support a thriving population of 5 salmon species that are the backbone of the region’s economy.
This year, The Lands Council is partnering with The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, along with Avista and US Fish & Wildlife Service for our annual Reforest Spokane Day. And YOU can help us plant 2,000 native trees and shrubs in this critical wildlife and recreation corridor on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
