On the heels of a $50,000 grant for a forest health project at High Drive Park, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has granted an additional $70,000 to the City of Spokane Urban Forestry program for similar work at Palisades Park and Camp Sekani/Beacon Hill.

“The money will be used for contract work on thinning and pruning the forest. This will reduce the risk of intense, uncontrollable fires that would threaten adjacent homes and neighborhoods as well as the trees themselves,” said Guy Gifford, a forester with DNR.

“The thinning and pruning will also improve the forest health as the remaining trees will have more space, light, and moisture so they will be less susceptible to damage from pine bark beetles” he added.

“This is a dream come true,” said Robbi Castleberry, president of Palisades, a neighborhood stewardship organization. “For a number of years, we have set aside funds and worked thousands of volunteer hours but the DNR grant will do a whole lot more in a lot less time to help protect the neighborhood while creating a safe place for passive recreation and wildlife.”

The City’s partnership with the Palisades organization enabled the Urban Forestry department to access funding from a state jobs bill through the DNR. The High Drive, Palisades, and Camp Sekani/Beacon Hill stewardship organizations have all received national recognition as Firewise Communities.

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