DISHMAN HILLS CONSERVANCY

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  • 10 Jul 2023 6:45 PM | Ruth Gifford (Administrator)

    The trail at the Wilson Conservation Area was completed by the Spokane Mountaineers and is now open.  Come take a hike.  The gate is open Monday through Thursday, 9-3 or by reservation and special invitation. Sign up on our website for the guided hikes at the WCA on Tuesdays with Executive Director Ruth Gifford.  Be the first to know about our guided hikes and other events by becoming a member.  

    Summer View at the Overview at Wilson 
    Photo by Ruth Gifford

  • 10 Jan 2021 6:49 PM | Ruth Gifford (Administrator)

    Story and Photos by Ruth Gifford

    Many, many years ago, a seed took root and over decades grew into a massive Ponderosa Pine tree. That long, slow process of growth came to an abrupt halt this spring during one of many wind storms. Here is the first part of that story.

    A small seed fluttered to the ground and took root in the lee of a large rock. That rock provided shade from the hot southwest suns and kept the small seedling from being cooked during late summer heat. The rock also provided extra water that ran off the surface and was deposited at the roots of the growing tree. These things helped the seedling to grow and survive as other trees from the same and successive generations succumbed to the heat and droughts.

    As Tree grew, no roots penetrated the rock along its west side but other roots spread widely to the north, south and east to take up the scant moisture in late summer and fall. The roots held Tree firmly in place as winds caused it to sway. Those same winds helped shape Tree, encouraging roots to anchor it firmly and to develop a strong and stout trunk. Branches grew outward providing ample space for needles to take up necessary carbon and oxygen from the air, allowing the tree to grow bigger. Those same branches provided shelter to successions of chickadees, nuthatches, squirrels, and insects too numerous to mention. Over time, the roots, trunk and branches became huge. 

    As the Ponderosa Pine became huge, so did its roots. They protruded from the ground where the soil was shallow. Roots pressed Tree further from the rock, in the process weakening some of the foothold that had originally anchored it firmly, until a fateful day when the wind came from just the wrong direction. On this day, the wind came from the west side where the roots were not anchored because of the rock.

    Now, the rock that originally protected and provided the initial microclimate that helped Tree to survive contributed to its demise. For this long-standing tree to fall during a time when soil was not saturated with water, the wind had to blow at just the right angle that Tree could not withstand the swaying of the wind in its massive branches and crashed to the ground.

    Now, Tree lays on its side, top downhill. It will provide home and shelter to a new succession of different animals and insects. It will slowly decay, releasing its stored nutrients and carbon back to the forest and soil. It is sad to see a massive, stately Ponderosa Pine fall, but at the sam time, I know this story is not over. In future stories, I will share with you how this Fallen Giant will continue to provide other benefits to the birds, mammals, insects, and maybe even a future Giant Ponderosa Pine.

    Notice the Root Growth, Especially its Absence on the Top Portion of the Root Mass

  • 29 Oct 2015 6:44 AM | Anonymous

    LAND and WATER CONSERVATION FUND

    The Land and Water Conservation Fund boosted the Dishman Hills when the funding was most vital. Spokane County received a LWCF grant in 1969 to buy 117-acres in the Dishman Hills. Ina Hughes Johnston also contributed $30,000. The Dishman Hills Conservancy had already purchased an adjoining 80-acres. The LWCF grant triggered a remarkable County-DHC partnership that now includes about 2500-acres in the Dishman Hills for recreation and conservation. Later the Washington State Department of Natural Resources joined in the management of the Natural Area.

    Congress started the LWCF in 1965 and it was funded using a portion of the revenue from oil & gas leases on Federal land. Since then a remarkable number and variety of recreation and conservation projects have been funded. At least 18 projects have been funded in Spokane County including the Dishman Hills Natural Area, Little Spokane  River Natural Area, Valley Mission Park, SE Sports Complex, Riverside State Park, Mount Spokane State Park, Medical Lake Waterfront Park, Highbridge Park, Friendship Park, Eloika Lake, Centennial Park in Cheney, Sunset Park in Airway Heights and Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

    The LWCF has not been reauthorized even though there is bipartisan support. Recently Suzy Dix and Jeff Lambert along with others in the recreation and conservation community met with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers to discuss reauthorization. She supports the LWCF but wants to make some changes. We hope that Representative McMorris Rodgers provides leadership to quickly resolve the issues and keep the valuable LWCF program.

    Photograph shows the Ina Hughes Johnston Natural Area sign at Camp Caro. The LWCF sign on the lower right. Vicki Butler is standing next to the sign and she is the granddaughter of Ina Johnston.


  • 16 Feb 2015 5:58 PM | Anonymous

    With the February 2015 Annual Celebration Dinner the Dishman Hills Conservancy celebrated volunteers of the year in three categories. The recognized volunteers of 2014 were Yukon Innes as Youth Volunteer of the Year (under 18), Lynn Smith as Volunteer of the Year and Mary Weathers as Trustee of the Year. To see who has been celebrated by the organization with these new recognition's please see the below link to the volunteer of the year page.


  • 26 Jan 2015 12:28 PM | Anonymous

    Lights & Shadows

    By Michael Hamilton

        Just before the end of 2014, the Conservancy closed on an important land deal of two parcels we refer to as the Birch Hollow and Lost Ponds additions. These two beautiful land tracts go a long ways to stabilize the environmental setting on the southwest side of the Natural Area. Both pieces have a mature forest cover and spectacular rock outcrops of granite and the metamorphic rock, gneiss. They very much compliment the adjacent terrain of the Natural Area. They will also provide an important buffer area between the environmentally sensitive ecologies on the west side of the NRCA and the urban development creeping up the slopes to take advantage of view property opportunities.

        This land acquisition is an example of the project types that the Conservancy does best. The deal was negotiated with a family with whom we had a long-term relationship. We have been watching this land for many years, and when it headed for market we jumped right in. We are Opportunists and proud of it! Negotiations included segregating the open space into two parcels and crafting a deal that satisfied both sides. Time was of the essence. The financial support from our supporters allowed us both to quickly pay for the necessary surveys, partial payments, and closing cost, and to engineer low interest loans to see the deal done. We have great appreciation for the outpouring of support when the call went out for donations.


        As we enter 2015, we are looking forward to other mission challenges such as the Dream Trail project to connect the many individual natural areas in the Dishman Hills. But we do this with the warm feeling of a very successful 2014 with the saving of the Birch Hollow and Lost Pond additions and the completion of the trail easement connecting our Cliff property with the Glenrose Conservation Area.. The story of this land acquisition, however, is not over. This land is a very welcomed addition to the Dishman Hills Natural Area.


  • 22 Jan 2015 4:18 PM | Anonymous

    Join us for a night of fun: wine, dine, and connect with others in the Conservancy to celebrate DHC's 49 years of conservation achievements and the newest acquisitions - Cliffs Trail Area, Birch Hollow Addition and Lost Ponds Addition.

    The 2015 Celebration Dinner is on Friday, Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m at the Women's Club, 1428 W 9th Ave. on the South Hill. Tickets are $22 before Feb. 3 and $27 after. You may purchase your tickets online.

    5:30 pm Social Hour and Silent Auction;

    6:45 pm Dinner; 7:30 pm Program.

    For a mere $22, you get the whole shebang: dinner, dessert, and wine or beer. Can't go wrong with that!  There will be a vegetarian option.

    We'll have great silent auction items-art, hike with famous mountaineer, and more. Our program will include a short documentary The History and Future of the Dishman Hills, slideshow, awards, and 2015 plans.

    Please register at link below. Indicate if you would like a vegetarian meal. You may also register by mailing a check with number of attendees and number of veggie meals to:

    Celebration Dinner
    Dishman Hills Conservancy
    3415 S. Lincoln
    Spokane, WA 99203


  • 21 Jan 2015 8:16 AM | Anonymous

    The DHC membership elected new Trustees Sam Joseph, Guy Gifford, Marlee Griffith and Marcus Ourada along with re-electing Andrew Ashmore, Suzy Dix and Michael Hamilton (Term Expires 2017 Annual Meeting). Continuing Trustees are Dave Schaub, Chris Kopcyznski, Mary Weathers, Bea Lackaff, Chris Polito, Steve Trefts, Brian McGinn, Norma Myers and Fred Oberdorfer (Term Expires 2016 Annual Meeting).

    The new President is Dave Schaub, Vice President Chris Kopczynski, Treasurer Fred Oberdorfer and Secretary Brian McGinn. If you see these great volunteers, give them your congratulations and thanks for serving.

  • 17 Jan 2015 2:51 PM | Anonymous

    At the January 20, 2015 Annual Meeting, the members will elect board members. The Committee Chairs will give reports on their work in 2014. We hope you can come to the DHC Annual Meeting at the Moran Prairie Library on January 20, 2015 at 7 pm. 

    The Moran Prairie Library is located at 6004 South Regal Street, Spokane, WA 99223

  • 09 Oct 2014 8:00 AM | Anonymous

     

     
     
     
    Last night at The Bing Crosby Theatre the movie premier of Wisdom Earned was a huge success!  This benefit event for the Dishman Hills Conservancy was attended by a sold out audience and tells the story of local mountaineering legend Chris Kopczynski's experiences based upon the lost Salmon runs through his hometown of Spokane, WA.

     

    Movie Preview

     

    Spokesman Review Article leading up to movie premier  

  • 13 Aug 2014 10:37 AM | Anonymous

    Please remember that fires are not allowed in the Dishman Hills. If you smoke, please also consider NOT tossing that used smoke aside as even that with the current condition can spark what turns into a wildfire.

     

      

     

    Jeff Lambert, Chris Polito and Garth Davis reviewing damage from July 23rd fire in the Dishman Hills Natural Resources Conservation Area. Thankfully only a small area burned due to a quick response from SVFD, but one of the many reasons we are working on management plans that include fuel reduction for our properties.

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MOST RECENT NEWS


PO Box 8536
Spokane, WA 99203

(509) 598-0003

RUTH GIFFORD
Executive Director

ED@DishmanHills.org


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