Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve

In the fall of 2020, thanks to the taxpayers of Washington, dedicated elected officials, and active community support, the Conservancy purchased this preserve along the Little Spokane River to protect it for wildlife, native fish habitat, and the enjoyment of the public for generations to come.

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A River Runs Through It: And People Too

Waikiki (or “spouting water”) Springs rests on the banks of the Little Spokane River.  The 95-acre Nature Preserve is adjacent to Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife property of the same name. It is named for the myriad springs that flow from the hillside, into the river, keeping it a moderate temperature year-round. The vegetation along the riverbanks shade the water from the elements and create ideal habitat for local fish. In the intricate food web, these fish draw many other plants and animals. A bald eagle’s nest is visible from the Preserve and it is frequented by deer, coyotes, beavers, moose and many more.

Under Inland Northwest Land Conservancy’s ownership and management, this property will be open for the enjoyment of the community and accessible through the WDFW parking lot detailed below. Discover passes are required for this trailhead.

Read more about WSNP here.

Map of Waikiki Springs

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.

Active Stewardship

We take our responsibility of ownership and management at Waikiki Springs very seriously.  After consulting with experts in forest management, wildlife habitat, water resource management, and cultural history, we have created an extensive, multi-year management plan for the area that will help restore areas that have been damaged by overuse. This involves removing unhealthy trees and undergrowth, closing off damaging social trails, building sustainable trails that resist erosion, rehabilitating the riverbanks, and planting healthy native trees and shrubs. This page will soon contain more information about the long-term management plan for this beautiful natural space, but for now, rest assured that we are working on behalf of the whole community, particularly plants and animals, to make this area the best it can be.

If you’d like to receive updates about our work in the Preserve, you can subscribe here. This subscription is only for Waikiki Springs updates and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve now OPEN!

Bridge construction update: December 9, 2022

Garco Construction’s work on the bridge leading to Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve is now complete! We are excited to welcome the public back to the preserve for some winter exploration. We appreciate all of the hard work that went into this project and for your patience throughout the renovation process.

 

 

 

 

Partners Who Helped to Make This Possible

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

WDFW manages adjacent recreation property and the trailhead.

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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.

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Fairwood Farmers Market

The local community rallied around the protection of this beautiful urban oasis.

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