May is a wonderful time to get outside and explore the Inland Northwest! From birding hikes and plant identification games to trail work days and reflective walks, there’s something for everyone this month. Come join us for one or more upcoming adventures and take in the beauty of nature and the lands we’re grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy.
Waikiki Preserve Moonlight Hike
Friday, May 1
You’re invited to join us with hike docent Bernadine Bank on an adventure to hike by moonlight at Waikiki Springs. See and hear the trails from a night perspective on May 1st from 8-10 p.m. (with sunset at 8:03 p.m. and moonrise at 8:42 p.m.) Magic seems possible when the moonlight is bright enough to light our night without technology and electricity.
Paths Toward Belonging Hike II and III
Saturday, May 2 | Sunday, May 17
Join EWU Philosophy students and Hike Docent Mark Merhab for our next hike in the Paths Toward Belonging series at Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve! Building on the opening hike’s planetary perspective, this walk explores interconnection and responsibility, inviting participants to consider how humans, animals, land, and time are woven together in living ecological systems. Each hike offers a unique opportunity to reflect, connect, and explore. Register for Hike II or Hike III.
English Point Trail Work Project
Saturday, May 9
Join us and Idaho Trails Association for a day of trail stewardship. It’s a great chance to get outside, give back, and help care for a well-loved trail system. The English Point National Recreation Trail is a lower-elevation trail system that includes easy loops through forest terrain on the west side of Hayden Lake. This is a great opportunity to come out early in the hiking season and learn about or polish up trail maintenance skills. This popular area is heavily used by day hikers, dog walkers, and families.
Nature’s Remedy: A Live Outdoor Plant Identification Game
Saturday, May 16 | Sunday, May 17
Join Alana Livingston and Wander Spokane at Waikiki Springs for a wildly fun, hands-on adventure where families, friends, and curious explorers learn to recognize useful plants in their natural environment — all through a two-hour interactive game that helps them identify plants and their medicinal uses. Build real-world plant identification skills and understand how nature supports everyday wellness. Register for May 16 or May 17.
Seasonal Bird Walks at Glen Tana
Thursday, May 21
Explore the INLC Glen Tana property on a guided birding hike led by hike docent and birder Brenda Day, in partnership with the Spokane Audubon Society. This outing continues a series of monthly birding hikes that will follow the changing bird populations from winter through summer. Future walks will also be on Thursdays; keep an eye on our event page for upcoming dates. Depending on the season, the route may vary slightly to explore different habitats across the property.
Waikiki Granite Loop Hike
Saturday, May 23
Join hike docents Chris Moore and Joe Spitz for a guided hike of the Granite Loop Trail at Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve, a true gem of nature in north Spokane with a rich geological and human history. We’ll move at an unfrenzied pace through forests, meadows, riparian ecosystems, and to a summit offering spectacular views, and make stops along the way to talk about the ecology, geological history, and human history (including pre-history) of this special area.
Exploring the Ecology and History of Waikiki Springs
Wednesday, May 27
Join us and volunteer hike docent Chris Moore for a special guided hike through the beautiful Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve in north Spokane. This guided hike will explore the environments of Waikiki nature area through the lens of “environments on the edge.” Throughout geological and human history, this area has been dynamically shaped by forces that are products of the areas occupying various edges.
Spring Birding Hike
Sunday, May 31
Spring has sprung, and with it comes the return of many of our favorite feathered friends! Celebrate the season with us on a guided birding hike through the beautiful Waikiki Springs Conservation Area. This moderate two-to-three-mile hike will take approximately three hours as we explore its scenic trails. Led by docent Bernie Bank and featuring special guest birder Lindell Haggin, this experience offers a relaxed, educational pace perfect for observing and learning about the birds returning for the season.