Land Trust Working To Preserve Areas Of Natural Value

All year Inland Northwest residents enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area. However, few recognize the behind-the-scenes work of area and national land trusts, acquiring and preserving land as natural habitats for our enjoyment and that of future generations.

Land trusts are private, nonprofit organizations that work to protect lands in their community or region. They provide voluntary, non-regulatory options, helping landowners protect land for future generations. The nation’s 1,200 land trusts, supported by more than a million members, have protected more than 4 million acres.

Locally, The Inland Northwest Land Trust (INLT), formed in 1991, is the first to offer local land conservation services in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Current activities focus on wetlands, farmlands and rare ecosystem types near urbanizing areas, a spokesman said.

The trust was selected to participate in a mentor program offered by the Northwest region of the Land Trust Alliance. The yearlong program will enable the Inland Northwest group to become stronger and more effective in protecting natural and resource land for human and ecological benefits.

“Our trust has been very successful to date with our mission, having protected lakeshore, range and timber lands and prairie habitat,” said Linda Martin, president. “The mentor program will help us get to the next level of development.”

The Land Trust Alliance is a national organization of land trusts. It provides members with training, technical resources and support services. Its mentor program focuses on hoard development, short- and long-range planning, fund-raising and other components that make a land trust successful.

“Inland Northwest Land Trust is a great organization,” said Chris Herrman, director of LTA Northwest. “The mentor program will help by sharing the collective experience of our office and the national land trust movement. It will keep INLT from reinventing wheels and hitting potholes that the rest of us have hit. INLT can then put more of their energy into saving land.”

For more information about INLT, call 456-7961.

Fund-raisers

The fourth annual KPBX Cruise will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 22 aboard the Mish-A-Nock on Lake Coeur d’Alene. It will be hosted by the board of directors of Spokane’s public radio station.

Music will be provided by Too Slim and the Taildraggers, recipients this year of the Washington Blues Society’s Best Album and Best Songwriter awards and the Best Band Award from the Inland Empire Blues Association. Included in the $20 donation ticket price are gourmet deli hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. Tickets are available at KPBX, 2310 N. Monroe, or by calling 328-5729 or (800) 328-3729.

Founding memberships for the Children’s Museum of Spokane are still available. Nearly 250 individuals and families have already enrolled to support the museum, a nonprofit organization working toward opening a permanent, interactive children’s museum.

The Children’s Museum of Spokane will open a temporary minimuseum from Oct. 3 to Dec. 29 in donated space at Post and Spokane Falls Boulevard. The storefront museum will introduce the wonder of a children’s museum while offering a concrete example of how a permanent museum would improve the lives of Inland Northwest children, their families and educators.

Founding members receive free admission to the temporary museum and a one-year free admission to the permanent museum once it opens. They will also have a personalized ceramic tile installed in the museum, reciprocal visits to other Northwest children’s museums, a 10-percent discount on merchandise in the museum store, four guest passes, preregistration for museum events, and a guaranteed fixed annual membership for the first five years.

Founding membership fees may be the bargain of the year: $25 for individuals and $35 for families. To enroll as a founding member, send a check payable to Children’s Museum of Spokane, P.O. Box 461, Spokane, WA 99201. For more information, call 624-0435.

Events

The Western Dance Association of Spokane, a nonprofit organization, will hold its 40th annual Summer Square Dance Festival, Aug. 23 to 25, at Sullivan Park. Featured caller will be Bob Newman of Harlington, Texas. June and Larry Bassett, Spokane, will serve as round dance leaders.

The public is invited to watch festival activities beginning at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 with square dancing. Dancing continues at 2 p.m. Aug. 24.

Reservations for the Aug. 25 noon salmon barbecue - adults ($7.50), seniors ($6) and children ($5) - can be made by calling 489-4865.

Remember storytime at The Children’s Corner Bookshop at 11 every Wednesday morning this month. Jacqueline Baucom will read stories that follow the theme of Jacob Lawrence’s artwork, “The Great Migration.” Stories will include folklore, fiction and biographies celebrating the pursuit of freedom and fulfillment.

Storytime at the bookstore, 714 W. Main on the Skywalk, is intended to enhance Cheney Cowles Museum’s exhibition of Lawrence’s art.