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.

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.

    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.

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.

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

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.

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

Movie Preview

Spokesman Review Article leading up to movie premier  

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.

The DHC will host a Natural Area open house on Saturday, July 26th, at Camp Caro at southern end of Sargent Rd., off Appleway in the Spokane Valley. Stop in between 12 and 5pm to see what's up with the DHC, take a guided hike, or become part of a film we are making about the DHC. Bring a picnic, we will have drinks and chips. Call 747-8147 for more details.
 

The DHC brings local 

kids to the Hills!

                            Department of Natural Resources forester and DHC member, 

Guy Gifford, talks to a local class of 5th graders about forest 

health in the Dishman Hills.     

Taking advantage of the shade before heading up into the Hills to discuss Wildlife Biology.

Children listening to geologist Art Bookstrom as he discusses the unique geology of the Dishman Hills. 

 New DHNRCA Kiosk Signs