Category: Blog

The 2020 DHC Annual Meeting helped determine DHC priorities for the new year while celebrating the successful acquisition of conservation land in 2019. Notable accomplishments in 2019 included: finalizing the purchase of two properties near Iller Creek, the Big Rock Addition and the Wilson Conservation Area; getting funding approved for the proposed Phillips Creek Trailhead at the Flying L Ranch; eagle scout projects by Caleb Hicks (trail and stairway replacement) and Forrest Coon (new kiosk constructed at Stevens Creek Trailhead); graffiti removal at Nimbus Knob; and receiving a second grant of $10,000 from the Morning Star Foundation for nature education programs.

In 2020, the DHC plans to expand programs, seek grants for conservation and education, and close the gaps in the conservation corridor. The DHC is preparing for restoration work and trail/trailhead planning in the Wilson Conservation Area. In addition, two new members were elected to join the Board of Directors in 2020. Tom Delanoy has a background in entrepreneurship and outdoor recreation, and Allen “A.T.” Miller is an environmental and land use attorney. Both are great additions to our team.

The DHC Stewardship Committee is seeking volunteers for service projects and for the new Volunteer (Trail) Steward program. To get involved with stewardship, email Guy Gifford, DHC Stewardship Chair, at Stewardship@DishmanHills.org.

The DHC Education Committee is looking for volunteers to lead hikes and nature walks in the Dishman Hills and to make nature presentations. To get involved with education, email Rick Severn, DHC Education Chair, at Education@DishmanHills.org.

Forrest Coon has completed his Eagle Scout project constructing a kiosk at the Stevens Creek Trailhead. Thanks for supporting the Dishman Hills with your project, Forrest! Be on the lookout for news from the DHC on your way up to the Rocks of Sharon.

Caleb Hicks has completed his Eagle Scout project, replacing the stairs on the trail behind Camp Caro in the Dishman Hills Natural Area. Thank you Caleb for your hard work on this project benefitting the Dishman Hills!

The Morning Star Foundation has awarded the DHC with a second grant of $10,000 for nature education programs in 2020. In 2019, funding from the Foundation supported DHC programs like Kids in the Hills and guided hikes such as the Halloween Hike event. These programs reach hundreds of local students and focus on nature education. The Halloween event, which was an education-focused, fall-themed series of guided nature walks, was one of the DHC’s most popular hikes so far, drawing a crowd of over 250 participants who had fun while learning about nature.

The Morning Star Foundation supports nonprofits like DHC that offer children “programs that serve the whole child through education, outdoor immersion, or learning through play and art.”

As the DHC continues to grow, education events have become increasingly popular. Funding from our partners like The Morning Star Foundation has helped us expand these events and their reach into the community. Check out our event listings for education events and volunteer opportunities.

For more information about The Morning Star Foundation, visit their website at www.morningstar-foundation.org.

The DHC earned GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency! GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on . nonprofit organizations. Earning the Platinum Seal means that DHC is recognized as having the highest level of transparency about how we spend our money – and where your donations go!

Hint: Over 80% of donations go directly to purchasing land for conservation and education, and we couldn’t do it without your support!

Commissioner Hilary Franz of the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined the DHC on Friday, September 20th in an open discussion at the Camp Caro Lodge. Topics of discussion included wildfire prevention, forest health, climate change resiliency work, and management of the Dishman Hills Natural Area.

“It’s great to be able to meet with groups like Dishman Hills Conservancy, which seized the opportunity to preserve and protect natural lands more than a half century ago, and continues to educate residents on why their work is so incredibly important,” said Commissioner Franz. She highlighted how important it is to improve the partnership between the DNR and the DHC to ensure our public wetlands and natural areas are enjoyed for generations to come.

Paul Knowles, Special Projects Manager of Spokane County Parks, hosted the event. The DHC will host commissioner Franz again in November to continue the discussion about solutions to local issues. The DHC hopes to have more help from DNR with managing the Dishman Hills Natural Resource Conservation Area and adding more conservation land.

If you would like to learn more about upcoming events with the DHC, visit our Events page.

Using equipment from the DHR and Spokane County Parks, hardworking volunteers Steve Anischenko, Ken Horn, and Tom Water assisted Ranger Bryant Robinson of Spokane County Parks in cleaning up the graffiti at Nimbus Knob. They used a sand blaster and were able to remove nearly all the graffiti from the area in an environmentally-friendly way. Thanks to these great volunteers, Nimbus Knob looks a lot better now!

The DHC Stewardship Committee is developing a Trail Steward program as an opportunity for volunteers to be part of a regular patrol that will provide monitoring and reporting of issues on trails. Trail Stewards will also educate users on trail use and nature topics. Training and equipment will be provided.

To see pictures of the Nimbus Knob Cleanup, Click Here.