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. The upland ponderosa pine forest, already adjacent to Riverside State Park, opens up miles of possibilities for increasing access to the outdoors for the community through our partnership with Washington State Parks. 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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Glen Tana in the News

A historic property may be added to Riverside State Park, connecting it to Waikiki Springs and providing river access vital to salmon reintroduction in the region

Inlander, November 2, 2023

By Summer Sandstrom

Read the story here.

‘What the ancestors would have seen’: Chinook salmon release a celebration of connection, conservation for Spokane Tribe

Spokesman Review, Saturday, August 12

By Michael Wright

Read the Story Here

A river reborn, the resurgence of salmon into the Little Spokane

KHQ Non-Stop Local, Friday, September 8

By Kalae Chock

Watch the Broadcast Here

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, nearly 1100 acres of diverse topography and habitat, connecting our Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve to Riverside State Park.

Who lives here?

Habitat for Wildlife on the Little Spokane

Several years ago, it was proposed that this 1,000+ acre property be platted for 126 home sites overlooking the Little Spokane River Valley. But who is already living there? Moose, elk, deer, coyotes, beavers, eagles, and cougars. Dozens of native plants and animals have been thriving in this natural space. And they deserve a safe home and opportunities to access water in the heat of summer and migration corridors along which they can find food and shelter throughout the year. Yes, people need to live somewhere, but we believe that Glen Tana should remain protected for the flora and fauna that make Spokane a beautiful place in which to live. This project helps us ensure that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can enjoy these nature experiences not from afar, but up close and personal with the beauty we enjoy here in the Inland Northwest.

Human Connections to the Earth

Expansion of Riverside State Park

People are flocking to the Inland Northwest because of our reasonable cost of living, access to amenities, and proximity to trails and outdoor spaces. Whatever your outdoor passion, it’s likely just a few minutes away from your front door. From rock climbing, hiking, trail running, cycling, and paddling, to skiing, fishing, hunting, and bird watching, Spokane is bursting with recreational opportunities. But with drastic population increase comes added stress on our outdoor infrastructure. Trailheads, waterways, and parks are becoming more popular. And Glen Tana provides an answer by creating expansion for Riverside State Park. This would allow for more trailheads, camping opportunities, and trails to support our outdoor community far into the future.

Support the Glen Tana Capital Campaign

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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 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)

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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Light Hawk

Capturing an aerial view of Glen Tana and the surrounding protected lands to highlight the scale and connectivity of this conservation project.

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Aiding in digital storytelling about the importance of many special places we protect, and working with the Conservancy to secure grant funding for the Glen Tana project.

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