Enjoying the outdoors has proven to have many physical and mental health benefits. The Dishman Hills is a great place to enjoy nature while following the social distancing recommendation. CLICK HERE to visit our Outdoor Activities page to see resources for enjoying the Dishman Hills.
Are you stuck inside? Bored? With kids? CLICK HERE to visit our Indoor Activities page for some great resources to keep you and your little ones occupied, engaged, and learning.
The DHC office at 5915 S. Regal is closed until further notice. DHC Staff is working remotely from home and is available by phone or email from 9am – 5pm, as listed on the Contact page. Programs such as guided hikes are currently being revised and will be scheduled soon for registration. DHC encourages social distancing and will provide events such as guided hikes, nature walks, and trail work events for small groups of around 10 at a time. Finally, while the Celebration Dinner has been postponed, we are working on an alternative fundraiser that will be a fun way to support our mission while limiting exposure. For more information, CLICK HERE to visit our Response Plan page.
DHC staff and key leaders met Monday morning to discuss the upcoming week’s work. The issue of the spreading COVID-19 illness was raised as a reason to consider postponing the planned Celebration Dinner. The Celebration Dinner has been a sell-out for several years and has raised much of the funds that DHC uses to buy conservation land. Postponing the Dinner will make a big difference in revenue and how we raise funds. I really preferred to not postpone the event.
Several of us reviewed the available information – both on the current coronavirus threat and on the history of epidemics. There are few confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and none in Spokane. However, Seattle is experiencing deaths – ten as I write this.
Although there are no confirmed cases in Spokane, no test results have been received because the testing for the novel coronavirus only started early this week. Current CDC guidelines for testing require that patients not only show symptoms, like a fever, cough and shortness of breath, but also have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus or have traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea in the last two weeks. Obviously with no test results, there will be no confirmed cases.
A few telephone calls revealed expectations from public health experts that COVID-19 will spread to Spokane soon.
History shows the current situation has a chance to expand to community-wide outbreaks followed by fear and confusion. There is a delayed response from community leaders, elected officials, agency personnel and private organizations – perhaps understandably given the lack of information. Panicked buying of everything from household goods to respirators to medicine has happened without a single confirmed case in Spokane.
The Dishman Hills Conservancy decided to follow the CDC recommendations that include “avoid close contact with people who are sick.” The dinner would have been crowded. And it is more likely than not that Spokane has people who are sick with COVID-19 but haven’t been tested.
Another consideration is the perception of our guests. If a COVID-19 threat is perceived, the event attendance will decline dramatically. There are already reports that public events in Spokane are seeing fewer attendees – all anecdotal at this point.
DHC chose to be proactive, rather than reactive, and act now in the best interests of our guests, volunteers, and community.
Let’s discuss the financial aspects. We will miss an event that helps raise funds for buying land and other programs. A postponement one month before scheduled date, had very low cancellation costs. The cost and inconvenience on short notice would be very large.
We will refund those who purchased tickets or allow tickets to be used at the replacement summer event. We will retain the donated auction items for future event(s).
The summer event will be much safer because viral transmission rates are lower during the warm days especially if the event is outdoors. We are also planning a wide range of online or other media events such as live streaming.
If you have ideas for fun and meaningful events without public gatherings – let me know.
We also plan to host a schedule of nature walks and hikes that will have minimal risk of exposure.
Postponing this event was a difficult decision. Our decision demonstrates leadership and ethics – doing what is best for Spokane.
Look forward to the alternative events that DHC will be doing.
Jeff Lambert
Executive Director
ED@DishmanHills.org
After careful consideration regarding the ongoing spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) overseas and recent cases in the United States, specifically in Washington State, the Dishman Hills Conservancy (DHC) has decided to postpone the annual Celebration Dinner, previously scheduled to take place April 2, 2020 at the Spokane Club.
With ongoing concern about the effects of the Coronavirus, DHC has decided to postpone the Celebration Dinner to avoid undue risk of exposure. We believe it is best to be cautious, and that this decision is in the best interest of protecting public health.
The DHC is considering dates to host the Celebration Dinner in the summer, when the impact of flu season and chance of exposure is minimal, but a date has not been determined. The DHC thanks everyone who already purchased tickets and everyone who has helped make this such a great event year after year. We are looking forward to rescheduling the event soon and gathering yet again as a community to support conservation.
Tickets that have already been purchased will be valid for the rescheduled event; however, DHC offers the option of a full refund. To request a refund, call the DHC office at (509) 598-0003 or email Jeff Lambert at ED@DishmanHills.org.
For more information about COVID-19 and to read about how you get prepared and minimize risk, Click Here to Visit the CDC Website.
The Dishman Hills consists of over 3,200 acres of protected land, jointly managed by Dishman Hills Conservancy, Spokane County Parks, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. We are actively acquiring land to add to the Dishman Hills and connect the Dishman Hills Natural Area, the Glenrose Unit, and the Iller Creek Unit to form one contiguous ecosystem. Then, with help from our partners and volunteers, we steward our lands by building trails, enhancing wildlife habitat, preventing wildfires, restoring native plant ecosystems, and controlling weeds.
From hiking and mountain biking to wildlife viewing and studying nature, the Dishman Hills offers an opportunity for all ages and interests to enjoy the outdoors. The Discover Pass is not required to enjoy the Hills, and parking is free.
Hikers on the Trail in the Glenrose Unit
The Dishman Hills Conservancy (DHC) provides opportunities for nature education such as the Kids in the Hills program and guided hikes & nature walks with local experts. Kids in the Hills is oriented towards elementary students and includes in-class nature information and an opportunity for students to do field work in geology, forestry, pond ecology, and wildlife biology. The DHC also has a year-round schedule of guided hikes, nature walks, and presentations on conservation and nature topics. Most events are free to members and are offered at low cost to the public.
The Dishman Hills Conservancy h(DHC) has elected its Board of Directors for 2020. Tom Delanoy, President and Founder of Ride 509, a local outdoor recreation and apparel company, and Allen “A.T.” Miller, an environmental and land use attorney with Lukins & Annis, are newcomers to the DHC Board.
Tom and Allen join current Board Members Chris Kopczynski, President, world-renowned mountain climber, and owner of Kop Construction; Phil Santinoceto, Vice President, data scientist, and owner of Morphologic, Inc.; David Duba, M.D., physician and ecologist; Rick Severn, educator and naturalist; Mary Weathers, Ph.D., psychologist; and Art Zack, Ph.D., forest ecologist, who were re-elected to the Board in 2020.
Also serving on the Board are Jim Harless, Treasurer, CPA with Schoedel & Schoedel CPA; Jon Isacoff, Secretary, professor (Gonzaga University); Suzy Dix, Realtor; Guy Gifford, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources; Michael Hamilton, geologist & President Emeritus; and Rob Hawley, associate VP and financial advisor (RBC Wealth Management).
For more information about the Dishman Hills Conservancy Board, or to ask questions about how you can get involved, contact Jeff Lambert, Executive Director, at (509) 999-5100 or by email at ED@DishmanHills.org.
The DHC was chosen as one of five Eastern Washington nonprofit organizations to participate in the Target Circle program’s Winter 2020 cycle. Target Circle is a program that allows customers to direct the company’s charitable giving.
How It Works:
Each round, Target selects 5-8 nonprofits then allocates a set amount of money as a prize. Using the Target app, customers can vote for their favorite nonprofit participant. At the end of the voting round (March 31), the prize money is divided and given to participants based on the percentage of the vote each nonprofit earns. Since this is a regional program, the Dishman Hills Conservancy is the only participating nonprofit in Spokane for this cycle.
If you shop at Target, you can vote for the DHC to bring charitable giving money to our community and support our mission to Connect and Protect the Dishman Hills! To learn more or sign up, visit Target Circle online at www.target.com/circle.
