Your feedback is needed for the Northeast Washington Trails Survey. A strategic trail plan bolsters grant applications for partners who adopt it and pursue its objectives; having a plan increases opportunities to fund trail systems in our community.
Social Distancing While Outdoors
Lawsuit Halts Border Road Construction in Key Grizzly Bear Habitat
A Letter to Our Members
Dear Lands Council Members and Supporters,
Our hearts have been hurting for the last two weeks as police brutality has once again exposed the deep-rooted systematic racism that is so prevalent in this country. We are outraged by the racial injustices occurring and we are frustrated with the response from our leaders and the media. It is heart-wrenching to watch police brutalize black and indigenous people, and those who are standing up to racialized oppression. Our hearts go out to all who are hurting, grieving, angry, and exhausted during this time.
Social Distanced River Clean-Ups
Like most organizations and people, The Lands Council is feeling the far-reaching effects of the fight against Covid-19. While all of our face-to-face programs and events have been canceled at this time to help “flatten the curve”, we are still dedicated to finding ways to improve our region’s environment.
Join us in mini, socially distanced river clean-ups - we can all make a big difference as individuals!
Spokane Water Conservation Master Plan
The Lands Council recently weighed in on the Spokane Water Conservation Master Plan. Climate models indicate that the Spokane area will have warmer summers, combined with less moisture. Less snowpack in the Coeur d’Alene and Clark Fork watershed are predicted, which will lead to less flow into the aquifer. This will impact summer aquifer levels, as well as Spokane River flows. This will also increase the need for outdoor watering. A water conservation plan is critical to prepare for the future of our city and river!
Small Creature Spaces
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.