CONSERVATION — Working with the Inland Northwest Land Trust, a landowner has protected 3,900 acres of forest land in Stevens County west of Horseshoe Lake with conservation easements.

The latest of two easements assures 2,540 acres will remain a working forest with wildlife habitat on land owned by Beryl Baker.

In 2009, Baker protected 1,363 acres of the timberland that's been in his family for nearly 50 years.

The land includes 68-acre Baker Lake fed by Beaver Creek and other seasonal tributaries in the Little Spokane Watershed.

The land provides wetland habitat and year-round habitat for deer, elk, moose, bear, cougar and other animals. It's the biggest land package to be preserved by the Spokane-based Inland Northwest Land Trust, which is responsible for managing the easement in perpetuity.

Timber will continue to be harvested in a sustainable fashion under the easement, the INLT says.

Baker, who grew up on a Kahlotus-area wheat farm, purchased the property in 1966 after seeing an ad in the Wall Street Journal. “I needed a change from banking in Seattle,” he said.

“I feel fortunate finding a way to protect the property that has been in my family almost 50 years from division and commercial development. The property can only be used for timber production and wildlife habitat. This will provide the animals with a permanent home.”

“Rural areas are some of the last wild places left untamed in Eastern Washington and landowner Beryl Baker will make sure they stay that way forever,” says Chris DeForest, INLT Executive Director.

CONSERVATION — The InlandNorthwest Land Trust is calling for volunteers ond FRIDAY to “Beat the Frost” with a tree planting effort to help restore a riparian area along Hangman Creek just south of Spokane.

The group hopes to get 10-15 volunteers from noon to 3 p.m. Friday to help plant 200 trees at either the Bryant/Sayre property or the neighboring Hein property while the weather permits.

The trees will help stabilize the stream bank, decrease erosion and future solar radiation, and increase wildlife habitat along Hangman Creek.

What you will need: gloves, water, snacks (if you wish), and a shovel.

Contact: Brooke Nicholson, email outreach@inlandnwlandtrust.org or

call (509) 328-2939 to sign up and receive directions.

 CONSERVATION — The Inland Northwest Land Trust, which works quietly with landowners to preserve the landscape with conservation easements and other methods, will hold its annual meeting and Harvest Party Monday, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Community Building lobby, 35 W. Main Ave. in Spokane.

• Music by acoustic bluesman Lonesome Lyle

NATURE — The May 22 walk through the McKenzie Conservation Area sponsored by the Inland Northwest Land Trust and led by Spokane author and naturalist Jack Nisbet has quickly filled its quota.

But there are other options for people who want to get outdoors with experts “in their fields.”

Check out the upcoming hikes with the Northeast Washington Chapter of the Native Plant Society and the Spokane Audubon Society as well as the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society.

NATURE – Back by popular demand, a 90-minute film, Vanishing of the Bees, will be shown again on Wednesday, 7 p.m., at the Magic Lantern Theatre, 25 W. Main.

For a suggested donation of $5, visitors also will have pre-show access to booths featuring local beekeeping groups, information packet, seeds to plant for your backyard pollinators and organic honey treats.

About a third of the food we eat – including apples, broccoli, watermelon, cherries and other fruits and vegetables – need honeybees for pollination.

Info: Inland Northwest Land Trust, Brooke Nicholson, outreach@inlandnwlandtrust.org. 

Or call (509) 328-2939.