OUTDOORSY EVENTS
- Spokane County Library District just created an excellent opportunity to pair a visit to a popular trail system with a relaxing summer afternoon spent reading in a hammock. The new Parkside Books at Liberty Lake Regional Park is located within the Liberty Lake business office near the entrance to the park and is open daily from 9a.m.-6p.m. Book check-out is on the honor system, so no library card is necessary. Check out a book to add to your backpack and head for the lakeshore, cedar grove, or all the way to Mica Peak! Then find a cozy spot to read during the heat of the day. Return the book when you’re done with your adventure, or drop it off at any Spokane County Library branch.
- Join the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a fun and informative bug walk at Saltese Flats on July 14. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the newly restored wetlands while learning about the insects that are drawn to this unique habitat where the attention is generally focused on the birds! (Inlandnwland.org)
- Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness has a busy July lineup of fun events for a variety of interests. Offerings range from fun hikes with kids, foraging, and nature drawing. Or plan your own trip to the namesake peak on a weekend and consider signing up for the Ambassador Program to assist in offering mountain goat safety education to other visitors (Scotchmanpeaks.org).
- Okanogan Highlands Alliance is hosting its annual fundraising long-distance running event, Get Lost!, at Lost Lake on July 9th. The event options include 3, 7, and 14 mile distances. If volunteering is more your style, the group will also be doing some preparatory trailwork on nearby Strawberry Mountain Trail the day before the race. (Okanoganhighlands.org)
- Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, is hosting the PORPA sprint races on August 12. The day celebrates non-motorized watercraft and will be held at the Priest River Recreation Area. There will be races for all ages and abilities, with a free kids’ division! (Porpa.org)
CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- July typically marks the beginning of wildfire season. Consider taking a closer look
at wildfire preparedness in your own backyard with a Firewise Risk Assessment, free for Spokane County residents through the Spokane Conservation District (Spokanecd.org/departments/forestry-department/firewise/). Those located outside Spokane County should check with their area’s Department of Natural Resources or other agencies for similar opportunities.
- July and August are prime time for summer backpacking. Raise the bar for your summer backpacking trips by joining a backpack-style stewardship project! Idaho Trails Association has trips to the Seven Devils and along the Coeur d’Alene River in July and to Hughes Fork by Priest Lake in August (Idahotrailsassociation.org). Washington Trails Association crews will be working in the heart of the Salmo Priest Wilderness as well as in the Pasayten Wilderness (Wta.org). Pacific Northwest Trail Association will be working along the Kettle Crest in addition to the Salmo Priest and the Pasayten (Pnt.org). Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association will be hosting projects in the Wallowas and the Elkhorn Mountains (Wmhcta.org). //
