I've always enjoyed paying attention to how seasonal changes from week to week can evoke different moods and sensations. In spring, each week inspires new plants to bloom, and pent-up energy is released in great bursts. Fall is a time for winding down, and the rolling fog clinging to valley floors serves as a spooky reminder of winter's slower pace ahead. But then I remember the beaver, and how fall is when beavers work the hardest to build a food cache for the coming winter. Squirrels too collect the unwanted fruit from our trees with alacrity. The Katnai National Park in Alaska even has a Fat Bear Week at the start of each fall to humorously track the gluttonous behavior of its resident bears this time of year. So maybe fall isn't so sleepy after all.
Thank you!
Welcome Rob!
We are again excited to add a new member to Team TLC - please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Rob Maiorino! Rob is a recent GU grad and a former restoration crew member, volunteer, and supporter. He is now the third staff member from the East Coast and we’re happy to have him in the Inland Northwest.
Power in Partnership
The Lands Council and Inland Northwest Land Conservancy Writing a Love Letter
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.
It's Hot and Smoky: How Climate Change Impacts our Health & Community
The Innovation Station: Pacific Northwest
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.
Sign up for the Spokane River Clean-Up!
Prop 1 Ruled Invalid in Spokane Superior Court
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.
It's Time to Renew Your Membership
Lawsuit to Challenge Validity of Nationally Backed Ballot Initiative
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.