INLC’s Waikiki Spring Nature Preserve property lies along the northern bank of the Little Spokane River. The diversity of this property is unmatched and contains abundant wildlife habitat and sustainable recreation opportunity. The Conservancy strives to not only protect lands like these, but also enhance the habitats and forest health of the landscape.

Good forest management in areas like Waikiki Springs, which resides in the Wildland Urban Interface, means conducting regular thinning of dead, diseased, or dense trees. Dense thickets of trees are called doghair, which are now very common in the Inland Northwest and present at Waikiki Springs.

Our work on the 9^th will focus on thinning out doghair ponderosa pines using hand tools like hand saws and loppers. Thinning them allows each remaining tree to have the resources it needs to thrive and reduces the likelihood of diseases or parasites compromising their health. It also allows more sunlight to reach the understory, which provide important food sources and cover for wildlife. But perhaps most importantly, it significantly reduces the likelihood of severe or catastrophic wildfire, which are much more common in places like Waikiki Springs where human uses significantly increase the odds of a wildfire.

We’ll meet at the Waikiki Springs Trailhead at 9am, and likely wrap up and be back at the parking area by 1pm. Please bring a lunch or snacks and plenty of water, along with a face covering, appropriate layers, and sturdy hiking shoes/boots. INLC will provide all necessary tools and gloves.