Where to take it in the coming year

“Community conservation” has risen in importance and popularity across the nation over the past few years as land trusts have realized the importance of conserving that which has the greatest relevancy to the local community. This fall I was hired to begin this important work in our region. My goal is to expand INLC’s work to include a full calendar of opportunities to get out on the local trails and waterways and to visit the lands that have been conserved over the past three decades.

The paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould spoke to the heart of community conservation when he wrote, “We will not fight to save what we do not love.” Trails are one important vehicle for getting people out and connected with conservation, as is youth programming and other opportunities that bring in new partners and friends.

Community conservation is also an invitation for the community to be heard. We would love to hear move about the places in and around Spokane and the conservation topics that are special to you. It is through hearing from our old friends, new partners, and long standing members that we will learn of the top priorities for our community.

I look forward to sharing more with you about current project areas around Spokane. Each of these three project areas involve different partners but share the same genesis: local neighbors and recreationists approaching INLC for help to conserve these areas located within a few minutes’ drive from downtown Spokane. Our top objectives for the community conservation program in 2019 will be:

• Rimrock to Riverside just west of downtown next to Palisades Park,
• Waikiki Springs in North Spokane along the shores of the Little Spokane River, and
• Beacon Hill greenspace which is much loved by the biking community and currently being considered for development.