DISHMAN HILLS CONSERVANCY

Celebrating 60 Years (1966-2026)

Celebrate 60 years with DHC!

Join us on September 15 at Camp Caro

Buy Tickets Here

Below is a timeline that we'll add to each week leading up to September 15. Keep checking back to see the changes that have happened between 1966 and today.


  • 1966 The group consisiting of 16 community members and led by Tom Rogers drafted a set of articles & bylaws and is approved as a Washington State Corporation. 
  • 1966 The name Dishman comes from Addison T. Dishman,  a local reticent who moved to Spokane in 1887 and ran the rock quarry near what is now Camp Caro and the Dishman Hills Natural Area.
  • 1967 The DHNAA makes it's first land purchase of 80 acres with an $18,000 loan from The Nature Conservancy.

Newspaper clipping of Rogers, Jackson, and Johnston.

Tom Rogers (left), Henry Jackson, and Ina Johnston

  • 1981 The DHNAA plays a major role in the adaption of the Spokane County Comprehensive Plan that labels the Dishman Hills from Browns Mt - Tower Mt area as a low development area in order to protect diversified wildlife and unique natural character.
  • 1985 The DHNAA buys 140 acres from Frank Taylor for $154K. This purchase increased the size of the Dishman Hills Natural Area by nearly 50% and included Eagle Peak.
  • 1985  The DHNAA worked with the Spokane Co. Zoning Adjustor to establish a wildlife migration corridor in the new Park Meadows development.
  • 1987 Washington State Legislature establishes the Dishman Hills Natural Resource Conservation Area. This marks the first time the DNR, county, and DHNAA worked together to manage land.
  • 1988 The DNR bought 70 acres on the western side of the Natural Area that was identified as high priority for conservation by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.
  • 1989 In 1988 the original lodge was torn down and a new lodge at Camp Caro was completed in 1989.

1994 Newspaper Clipping Featuring Tom Rogers

  • 2000 Spokane County, using the State grant obtained with DHNAA in 1994, purchases 796 acres from the Canning estate for one million dollars.
  • 2001 The stewardship program is started with TNC oversight.
  • 2002 DHNAA makes additional land purchase of 100 acres on Tower Mtn. from Barbara Olsen. 
  • 2004 The association is registered as a charitable organization in Washington State.
  • 2008 The Valley View fire burns 30 acres in the Natural Area. As a result, DHNAA launches forest restoration in burn zone.

Phillips Creek Trailhead

Tom Rogers

Tom Rogers

  • 1967 The first Buttercup Hike is run in the spring. This hike has become an annual tradition and is still held every year.
  • 1969 A donation by Ina Johnston of $30K is combined with support for the State's Interagency Committee on Outdoor Recreation amounting to $90K State & Federal funds.
  • 1969 The DHNAA purchases 117 acres, including the Goldback Ranch, using the $90K of combined funds.
  • 1970 The Redeemer Lutheran Church and the East Spokane Kiwanis Club donated land and buildings including Camp Caro Lodge, named after James A. Caro, a playground, picnic area, and a hiking and camping area for children groups.

Map of DHNA in 1970

  • 1994 DHNAA buys 170 acres from Barbara Olsen for $225K starting the new Rocks of Sharon Natural Area. Partnering with Spokane County, DHNAA successfully competes for a $500K state grant to expand the new Natural Area (now Iller Creek). 
  • 1997 The Dishman family donates six land parcels to DHNAA, which are added to the Natural area.
  • 1998 DHNAA officially goes onliine with the first webpage developed by students at Regal Elementary.
  • 1999 Tom Rogers, the founder of the Dishman Hills, passes.

  • 2012 DHNAA had nominated the Stone and McCollum parcels to Conservation Futures in 2010. The purchase was completed and DHNAA contributed $258,000 of the total $731,000 cost for the 269-acre Glenrose Conservation Area. 
  • 2012 DHNAA takes on an alternate name, the Dishman Hills Conservancy (DHC).
  • 2014 A 19-acre property adjacent to the 2004 Lemon 21-acre property is acquired in March. This combined 40-acre property is called the Cliffs because of the three cliffs. In August, a 13-acre conservation and trail easement is acquired that connects the Glenrose Conservation Area to the Cliffs. By the fall, the Cliffs Trail is constructed with 100 volunteer days of hard labor. 
  • 2018 The 179-acre Flying L Ranch with a site for the still-to-be-built Phillips Creek Trailhead was acquired by Spokane County Conservation Futures Program. The Glenrose Trailhead was constructed at 3701 S Thierman Road. The DHC acquires the 120-acre Big Rock addition.


PO Box 8536
Spokane, WA 99203

(509) 598-0003

RUTH GIFFORD
Executive Director
ED@DishmanHills.org


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