Spokane, Wash.
Since its founding, the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy has protected more than 22,000 acres in public and private areas throughout Spokane and Kootenai counties. Today, more than 90% of households in these counties are within view of an INLC project area. The organization’s mission, connecting people to nature by conserving lands and waters essential to life in the Inland Northwest, drives the group’s passion to continually improve this region’s quality of life.
Back in February of 1991, founding board members of the Inland Northwest Land Trust (later renamed the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy) filed incorporation papers with the state of Washington. Thirty years later, more than a third of the organization’s expenses are funded through individual giving. Hundreds of engaged members make this critical protection of local lands and waters possible. From humble beginnings of concerned citizens around a kitchen table, the Conservancy now partners with businesses, landowners and managers, government agencies, and community members to preserve the natural beauty of our home.
Recent successful projects include the acquisition of Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve in north Spokane. INLC also collaborates with the Restoration Partnership to protect land along the highly polluted Coeur d’Alene River corridor. Last but not least, INLC purchased land between Palisades Park and Riverside State Park, in the Rimrock to Riverside project area, until it can move into public ownership, creating a protected 11-mile wildlife and recreation corridor on Spokane’s west side.
“The Conservancy holds and monitors 62 permanent conservation easements in partnership with private landowners, has completed 40 projects with partnering agencies, and manages three nature preserves,” says executive director Dave Schaub. “Our plates are full with more than a dozen new projects to complete in the coming years. Together these individual narratives weave together to form an evolving tapestry of protected habitat and lasting community benefit, making a difference you can see.”
Learn more and consider becoming a member at InlandNWLand.org
