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.
This year, The Lands Council is partnering with The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, along with Avista and US Fish & Wildlife Service for our annual Reforest Spokane Day. And YOU can help us plant 2,000 native trees and shrubs in this critical wildlife and recreation corridor on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
The U.S. Pacific Northwest shares some of its challenges—like those related to aquatic ecosystems, forest management, and community health—with other communities around the world. Learn about women-led innovations poised to address these challenges during The Innovation Station: Pacific Northwest, a virtual event on September 23, 2021, from 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time.
Today Spokane County Superior Court Judge Bjelkengren ruled that Spokane Prop 1 was beyond the scope of the local initiative process and enjoined it from heading to the ballot. The measure sought to permanently prohibit the City from restricting gas-use in new construction, which is considered critical to meeting climate change targets established in State law and the Spokane code.
Spokane, WA—A challenge to a murky Spokane ballot initiative, Prop 1 (The Spokane Cleaner Energy Protection Act) became official yesterday with a lawsuit, filed in Spokane Superior Court, arguing that Prop 1 is an improper initiative and must be stricken from the ballot. The lawsuit alleges that Prop 1 violates several of the legal limitations on the local initiative process. A local initiative cannot be used to stop the city from carrying out state policy, to limit the City Council's statutory powers, or to address administrative issues. As Prop 1 violates all of these rules, Plaintiffs Kate Burke and the nonprofit Protect Spokane Action are seeking to strike the measure from the ballot.
On August 9th, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its 6th Assessment Report reviewing the latest climate science. If you haven't already heard, the future is bleak. The fact that humans and our fossil fuel usage have warmed the planet is undeniable, and we've reached a point of no-return.
