HABITAT -- Even massive development can incorporate a measure of native habitat, as pointed out by Spokane Ponderosa Network, which is giving two new awards for outstanding conservation or restoration of Spokane’s official tree and its urban forest.

Ferris High School (Southgate neighborhood) managed to keep native ponderosa pines throughout the extensive remodeling of the campus at E. 37^th Ave. and S. Regal St. "Numerous individuals representing many parties made a significant effort to incorporate old trees and plant many young Ponderosa in the school’s landscape plan," the award givers say.

Summit Church (Rockwood neighborhood) has preserved "a largely undisturbed Grove, which includes a small wetland, provides an easily accessible benchmark example of what the native forest on Spokane’s South Hill once looked like" at the corner of E. 29^th Avenue and S. Napa Street, the award givers say. "The Gospel Grove is between their parking lot and the Grape Tree Mall, at 1913 E. 29^th. Summit Church maintains a nature trail through the Grove that provides a unique educational experience for neighbors."

Background & Significance of the Awards from Spokane Ponderosa Network.

On the 21^st of April 2014, the City Council for the City of Spokane adopted Resolution No. 2014-0039, which formally declared the Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) the City’s official tree.  Their declaration mentions many reasons why this native conifer deserves this status, including its outstanding adaptation to local ecological conditions, drought and fire tolerance, low-maintenance, wind firmness, wildlife habitat, and the many other environmental, economic, social, health and aesthetic benefits it provides both residents and visitors of Spokane. The Resolution specifically states that the citizens of Spokane should support the development of policies and programs to protect existing Ponderosa Pine trees and the ecosystem in which they exist, including the planting of new Ponderosa Pine trees. Towards this goal, the SPOKANE PONDEROSA NETWORK, in anticipation of International Arbor Day, has elected to formally recognize the contributions made by the property owners and managers at the Ferris and Gospel groves (see below). These groves provide excellent examples of how property owners can successfully incorporate Ponderosa pine forests into a variety of different urban land uses.  Certificates of Appreciation will be presented to representatives of Spokane School District 81 and Summit Church at the Spokane City Council meeting on April 24, 2017.

About Spokane Ponderosa Network:  

The Spokane Ponderosa Network (SPN) is a group of citizens focused on the conservation and restoration of City of Spokane’s official tree, Pinus ponderosa, and the ecosystem that it depends on. Our geographic scope is the City of Spokane, where there has been a long history of removal of Ponderosa groves due to urbanization, and replanting has not been sufficient to sustain the forest. One of SPN’s programs is to present awards to people, businesses, agencies, and property owners in Spokane who have made an outstanding contribution towards conservation or restoration of Spokane’s official tree and our native forest. New SPN awards will be announced periodically.