The Dishman Hills is a 6-mile long ridge surrounded by urban development on three sides. The Dishman Hills Natural Area is 535-acres on the north side and Iller Creek Conservation Area is 1400-acrea on the south side. The Dream Trail would connect these conservation areas with a broad conservation corridor for wildlife and recreation. The Connecting People to Nature project is our effort to make the connection for wildlife and recreation. Usage restrictions would remain within the Dishman Hills Natural Area,but other properties would allow recreational activities such as horseback riding and mountain bikes.
The History
The Dishman Hills Conservancy (formerly known as the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association (DHNAA)) was founded in 1966 to protect the natural settings for wildlife, native plants and recreation. The 535-acre Dishman Hills Natural Resource Conservation Area (NRCA) commonly known as the Dishman Hills Natural Area was established by the early 1970s on the north end with the help of the Nature Conservancy, Spokane County Parks, and the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources. No further acquisitions were completed until the late 1990s when DHNAA acquired 270-acres along the south Ridge known as the Rocks of Sharon. Today, momentum has increased with several additional land purchased of which the latest was completed in partnership with the Conservation Futures Program on April 12, 2012 to acquire 269 acres. Today almost 2,500-acres of conservation land has been protected but the pieces have not been connected. Closing the 2-mile gap between the Dishman Hills Natural Area and the 1400-acre Iller Creek Conservation Area is the current goal.
Click here for a detailed explanation of the project
Click here for a project brochure you can share with others
The Dishman Hills Alliance is a working group of representatives from many organizations working with the Dishman Hills Conservancy specifically on Stewardship within the Dishman Hills and the Dream Trail project. A listing of these partner organizations are provided below.
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This outdoor club offers instruction and leadership in hiking, paddling, mountain biking and climbing. They are also very involved in conservation and Dishman Ridge is a priority for them.
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Horses are not allowed in the Dishman Hills Natural Area but that does not stop these folks from helping out with the trail work. The Dream Trail could provide riding trails outside of the natural area and into Iller Creek Conservation Area.
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This organization specializes in protecting and comserving land for the future. They have the skills necessary to help with landowner easements and donations.
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Sierra Club has always been involved in conservation of land for future generations but this group is getting young people out now to learn about our environment.
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One of the goals of this organization is to advocate for connecting the city to parks and peaks. The development of new trails would increase Near Nature Near Perfect for the Spokane Area.
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WTA has arrived in the Inland Northwest after many years of work in western Washington. The Dream would extend the trail work they have done in Iller Creek all the way to Dishman Hills.
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The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program helps with planning and coordinating people and programs.
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REI has been the primary corporate sponsor with us for the Spring Service Days within Dishman Hills Natural Area. Projects have included planting, trash removal, trail building and decommissioning, property repair, transient camps and fire pits dismantling and fence building and repair. Work has also extended into Iller Creek for a WTA trail work party.
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Spokane County Parks is a partner in management of Dishman Hills Natural Area and also Iller Creek Conservation Area.
They are also partners when working towards Conservation Futures Projects.
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Department of Natural Resources is also a management partner for Dishman Hills Natural Area. There is a trail map also available here.
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The Spokane Audubon Society chose Iller Creek in the Dishman Hills as one of the stops on the Best Birding Places Map.
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The Native Plant Society has long been involved in the Dishman Hills and look forward to expanding and connecting the areas.
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The Hobnailer Hiking Club stays involved in conservation issues and trail work projects.
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Gonzaga University Outdoor's Group
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