I am getting an early start on my small farm. It's just a tiny, tiny piece of the Earth but it's still a part of the world that can offer shelter to often overlooked and under-appreciated creatures. The Lands Council has been doing restoration for a few decades now. It helps mitigate climate change among many other benefits.
Dartford Creek Restoration
Chris Cooper Hawk
On April 18, I made a quick stop at the office to pick up some materials for a grant proposal. The building was closed due to the pandemic, so I popped in quickly.
After exiting the building and entering the alley behind the Saranac Building, I spotted a Cooper’s Hawk stumbling on the ground, dragging its left wing. Cooper’s Hawks have beautiful plumage, which is what caught my eye immediately. Pigeons are commonly spotted in this location, and while beautiful in their own right, they are not as striking as a Cooper’s Hawk. I initially thought the bird of prey had broken its wing, possibly by flying into the building while in hot pursuit of a pigeon (Rock Dove). The bird couldn’t fly, but made its way to the top of the fence surrounding the fire station parking lot.
What's Living in Laura's Pond and Other Environmental News
Spring Environmental Education and Restoration Update
Wolves, Wine, and Whiskey
You're invited to join us (virtually) for Wolves, Wine, and Whiskey - a Zoom happy hour on the wolf-human coexistence in Washington. Topics will include wolf recolonization, recovery, and impediments to coexistence. Join us to hear from multiple conservation groups on efforts to mitigate risk to wolves and hear from range rider Daniel Curry about on the ground efforts to protect wolves and cattle.
Thursday, May 14th at 6:00 pm on Zoom
Meeting ID: 869 4812 2757
Thoughts From Our Executive Director | May 2020
The Lands Council has been staying busy. Cleaning up our Spokane River is a key part of our work. I recently took part in a virtual conference for the annual National River Rally. My topic was reducing inadvertent PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). The Spokane River Regional Toxic Task Force is leading the country in investigating these man-made chemicals that are contaminating the Spokane River. They come from inks, paint, and pigments that are produced with chlorine. Think of that yellow stripe in the road as it washes into the storm water - it contains a certain variety (congener) of PCB Even the newsprint in recycled paper has inks that contain PCBs.
City of Spokane Opens Survey for Centennial Trail Input
The City of Spokane is working on a proposed project to complete a missing section of the Centennial Trail in the West Central neighborhood that is just north (downstream) of Kendall Yards. City leaders are asking citizens to complete a survey letting them know what you think about the project and how you use the Centennial Trail.
Sustainability Bingo
Join The Lands Council for Sustainability Bingo!
Encourage others to join - tag 3 friends!
Complete 5 in a row and take pictures along the way.
Share on Instagram or Facebook and tag @thelandscouncil.
Complete all 25 and we’ll send you a TLC sticker!
TLC Sustainability Bingo Resources
Start a Garden: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/category/home-garden
How to Compost: https://my.spokanecity.org/solidwaste/recycling/composting/
Residential Food & Yard Waste
https://my.spokanecity.org/solidwaste/residential/food-and-yard-waste/
Guide to Native Plants in Spokane: http://sccd.org/programs/smartscape/native-plants
How to Turn Your Yard into a Water Wise Yard : https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/489753-epa-suspends-enforcement-of-environmental-laws-amid-coronavirus
Planting Pollinators: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml
Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/
Carbon Footprint Calculator: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Spokane Recycling Guidelines:
Vegan & Plant Based Recipes: https://www.acouplecooks.com/easy-vegan-recipes-for-beginners/
Environmental Documentaries on Netflix: https://wowelifestyle.com/blogs/better-living/13-of-the-best-environmental-documentaries-on-netflix-2020
Tips for Going Waste Free Without Spending Money: https://treadingmyownpath.com/2019/01/03/zero-waste-for-free/
Photo Competition
Send your best Inland Northwest nature shot to mgates@landscouncil.org for our photo competition!
What Bills Passed in Our State Legislature and What Didn't?
The Lands Council is a part of the Environmental Priorities Coalition. Each year, the Executive Directors of the NGO members come together and set priorities. Two of the four priority bills passed. The two that passed were SB5323 (Reduce Plastic Pollution - a bill for a statewide ban on plastic bags) and HB2311 (Climate Pollution Limits - a bill that uses current science to set greenhouse gas limits). The Climate Pollution Limits Bill uses natural solutions, that The Lands Council has been doing for years, to mitigate climate change.