Glen Tana Conservation Area

Glen Tana, an iconic 1,060 acres of land with two miles of the Little Spokane River, is a prime location for the salmon reintroduction efforts of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. As part of Inland Northwest Land Conservancy’s mission of connection, we are working to reconnect people, lands, and salmon in the Little Spokane River.

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A salmon's journey

Welcome Home

For millennia, every summer the Little Spokane River teemed with salmon and steelhead returning to the waters of their birth to spawn and die. Along with returning fish came the Spokane Tribe to celebrate, honor, and harvest these fish for their sustenance.

For the past century dams on the Columbia River have blocked this summer salmon migration, fundamentally altering the regional ecosystem and way of life of our regional tribes. In the summer of 2021, the Spokane Tribe released 51 summer Chinook into the Little Spokane from the Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve – the first time in 111 years that these beautiful fish had swum in this waterway.

With enthusiastic support from the Tribe, we intend to conserve more land in and along the Little Spokane River to support their fish reintroduction efforts, protect essential riparian and upland habitat, and provide expanded community access to near-urban wildlands. The Conservancy is delighted by this never-again opportunity to protect the Glen Tana property, over 1100 acres of diverse topography and habitat, connecting our Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve to Riverside State Park.

Secure this prime salmon habitat in perpetuity

An investment in our shared future

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy is seeking $4.5 million in capital funds to aid in the purchase and permanent protection of Glen Tana. In partnership with Washington State Parks and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. this land will be protected for its value as salmon habitat. The Tribe will build and manage a fish hatchery along the two miles of the Little Spokane River. State Parks will manage the uplands for the enjoyment, education, and well-being of the human community.

Healthy local ecosystems

What does this mean for natural spaces?

TRIBAL RECONNECTION

  • Reconnect the Spokane Tribe to these lands and waters
  • Reconnect salmon to the Little Spokane
  • Connect Waikiki Springs to Riverside State Park
  • Salmon reintroduction in the Little Spokane

RECREATION EXPANSION

  • Opportunity for hiking and trail running trails
  • Camping and picnicking
  • Fishing and birding opportunities
  • Solitude and peace
  • Connect the rapidly growing community to nature

Future of the Inland Northwest

What does this mean for our community?

HABITAT RESTORATION

  • 1,060 acres of mixed riparian, meadow, forest, and rocky outcroppings
  • Vital habitat for eagles, moose, heron, cougar, beaver, and much more
  • Salmon restoration in 2 miles of the Little Spokane River
  • Cold, clear aquifer waters will provide vital habitat in a warming climate
  • Reconnecting with salmon strengthens the resilience of the ecosystem and communities
  • Riparian habitat stewardship and improvement
  • Forest health management
  • Wetland protection (clean water)

Salmon Swim Again

Thanks to a growing partnership among Spokane Tribe of Indians, Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Tribal Fisheries was able to release 51 adult Chinook salmon into the Little Spokane River in the Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. Learn more here.

Partners who are working to make this a reality

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife manages land to the south of the Glen Tana project area.

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Spokane Tribe of Indians

This land was once a gathering place for the Tribe and remains critical to native plants and animals. One day, the Tribe will turn a portion of this land into a fish hatchery to aid in reintroducing salmon to the Spokane River watershed.

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Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks manages land to the south and west of Glen Tana and will one day own and manage the uplands portion of this parcel as well.

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