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.
By Kat Hall
We’re pleased to report the successful completion of another busy, fun, and productive fall riparian restoration season at The Lands Council! This year’s “Rocktober,” as we affectionately call it, saw us planting over 2,600 native trees and shrubs along Thompson Creek, Deadman Creek, Marshall Creek, and the Little Spokane River. This vegetation helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion; filters contaminants running off adjacent roads and agricultural fields; shades the creek—cooling water temperatures and allowing for more dissolved oxygen; and enhances wildlife habitat.
On a beautiful spring day, the birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and over 200 volunteers gathered at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge for our Earth Fest event. Volunteers were from all over and all ages, and they had one thing in common: a love for the natural world and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment on Earth Day.
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.
February 1st was cause for many celebrations this year. For one, February brings an end to January, which many of us believe to be the longest month of year, figuratively speaking of course. In 2022, February 1st was the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide. Imbolc, a pagan holiday to mark the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, also fell on this day. And while I don’t celebrate the quiet evenings of winter coming to an end, I do celebrate the changes each season brings and try to remain open to the lessons we can glean from these natural processes.
By Lindsay Box
One of the hardest parts of living through a global pandemic is the missed connections with members of your community. Back in the day, you would volunteer or attend an event and meet a new friend, a neighbor. You would realize how much you have in common, you might know similar people, and you could earn something new. The ability to create organic conversations and connections has been put on the back burner for well, almost two years. Although we are not in a post-pandemic world (and we may never be), the opportunity to connect with our community is slowly happening again - and we are all ready for it.
