Each year, Earth Day calls us to celebrate the natural world and take action to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife that sustain us. Earth Day started in 1970, and today, 56 years after that first Earth Day, we face new global and local environmental threats. There are real reasons to feel worried right now. But here’s something else that’s real: for 3.8 billion years, life on Earth has been creating conditions conducive to life.
The 2026 legislative session delivered something rare: a meaningful climate policy win shaped by collaboration across communities, geographies, and perspectives.
HB 2416, regarding the regulation of Spokane’s Waste to Energy plant, has officially passed. With it comes a solution that protects Spokane ratepayers, upholds Washington’s Climate Commitment Act , and creates real accountability for reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions over time.
This is a big deal.
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.
To defend threatened bull trout and bull trout critical habitat on the Colville National Forest—and with much of northeast Washington under extreme drought—conservation groups have warned the U.S. Forest Service that they will amend an existing lawsuit against the agency’s grazing management to include claims under the Endangered Species Act if the agency does not respond.
By Shawn Vestal, Spokesman Review
It was 109 degrees on a Wednesday afternoon in Hillyard.
Sierra Delgado, her aunt and her kids were in the front yard, trying to find a bit of relief in an above-ground pool and the dim shade of a Russian maple.
“We wouldn’t survive out here without this tree,” Delgado said, sitting in a lawn chair under the maple. “The pool’s in the direct sun, but us adults usually sit here in the shade. It helps.”
TLC staff, the City of Spokane, and volunteers planted twenty-five new street trees in the West Central neighborhood on Friday, April 23rd as part of SpoCanopy's goals for increased tree canopy cover. The trees were planted with city arborist assistance, at no charge to residents. Thank you to Avista and Townshend Winery for sponsoring this project!
By Amanda Parrish
After decades of working with the Forest Service on forest management policy and wilderness designation through forest collaboratives, in 2017 The Lands Council partnered with the Forest Service on our first large-scale stream habitat restoration project on the West Branch of LeClerc Creek.
