Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, which means we can expect 6 more weeks of winter. While most of the country may be lamenting this prediction, much of the western US is wondering if winter has even shown up at all!
Think you know everything about The Lands Council? From our education programs to the number of trees we've planted, our work is filled with amazing milestones! Now, you can put your knowledge to the test with our exciting trivia game: By the Numbers, created by our very own Justyce. Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to our mission, this game offers a fun way to celebrate our achievements and learn more about our impact in the Inland Northwest.
Most of us are old enough to remember what it sounds like when the needle on your record player reaches the end of the album, a repetitive sound that signals the end without the anticipation of a new beginning. Wolf recovery is stuck in this cycle. The grazing season started in 2020, without change, without hope for a new, more enlightened beginning.
By Mike Petersen
The Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (which The Lands Council helped found) filed it’s first “objection” of a timber sale in mid-July. Two key issues caused NEWFC to challenge this project in Ferry County:
Proposed fuel breaks in inventoried roadless areas, and
A lack of specificity of what the silvicultural prescriptions would entail.
As a thank you to our amazing members, we want to highlight your adventures, ascents, and excursions - how you are exploring the great outdoors of the Inland Northwest. Show us what mountains you have climbed, what rapids you have conquered, and what wildlife you have observed.
We will take these photos and feature them in an annual calendar for our members. Submit your photos today!
On Wednesday, July 22, the Great American Outdoors Act passed the House of Representatives, meaning that the bill has been passed by Congress and moves onto to the president’s desk for final approval. This is the largest hurdle in the process, and now, new funding for public lands is on the horizon.
If passed into law, the Great American Outdoors Act would take massive steps towards addressing two major environmental priorities.
Two highlights of the bill are:
Permanent funding ($900 million annually) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
$1.9 billion funding (annually for the next five years) for priority deferred-maintenance projects on federal lands
By Lindsay Box
The Spokane River is clearly the gem of our region. For fly fishers, river rafters, paddle boarders, and more - the Spokane River is a treasured resource in the Inland Northwest. However, there are also other beautiful rivers nearby. Read below for more information on the best Inland Northwest rivers and how you can use them to cool down this summer.
