The Lands Council

08/26/2026

As Spokane County considers policies on data center development, the Planning Commission is gathering input on a zoning text amendment. Now is the time to attend meetings and make comments on how you'd like the County to proceed.

Public Meeting/Hearing Schedule

Thursday, August 27th at 4:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Workshop in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room (lower level of Public Works Building at 1026 W. Broadway Ave.)

Tuesday, September 15th at 2:00 p.m.
County Commissioners’ Public Hearing concerning the pause in Data Center land use and permit applications in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.
Written testimony should be mailed to:
Spokane County Commissioners
1116 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
Those testifying will be allowed three minutes and be limited to addressing the pause in Data Center land use and permit applications.

Thursday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission work session on Data Center zoning code in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

Thursday, October 15th at 4:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Public Hearing on proposed Data Center Zoning Code in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

Meetings can also be attended via Zoom. See agendas and here: https://www.spokanecounty.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-5

08/20/2026

You showed up, you made your voices heard, and you had an impact.

Yesterday, thanks to the many community members who've been organizing, emailing, and making public comments, the Spokane County Commissioners voted for a four month pause on permits for large data centers.

Now, a draft zoning ordinance goes to the Planning Commission for review and further public comment. If you want a say in how data centers are handled in our community, review the ordinance at the link below and keep showing up to advocate for the future you want!

https://spokanecowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2272/files/attachment/23489

08/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who showed up last week to share your views on data center development in Spokane County!

The County Commissioners will be voting on a data center moratorium at this week’s meeting, Tuesday 8/18 at 2PM.

Public comments on agenda items are not permitted, but you can show your support by attending.

See the agenda here: https://spokanecowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2272/files/agenda/2576

View the proposed resolution: https://spokanecowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2272/files/attachment/23490

You can attend in person or remotely: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85674845677

Thank you again for your support and participation!

08/11/2026

Summer's heat takes a toll on young trees. After an afternoon of mulch madness with staff and volunteers from The Lands Council, hundreds of CoolCanopy trees along the Appleway Trail now have mulch to help them retain moisture and protect them from damage from mowers and trimmers.

Thank you to Greg and Woody from Avista for coordinating a mulch donation!

To get CoolCanopy trees for your property, visit landscouncil.org/coolcanopy. Any property in Spokane County is eligible!

08/07/2026

Regardless of how a fire starts, wildfires today burn hotter, faster, and occur more frequently.

So, how do we protect our community from fire?

Fuels reduction and prescribed fire can slow the rate of spread and create safe areas for wildland fire crews to fight fires.

Protecting wetland areas creates fire refugia that resist flames and aid in recovery.

Embers can spread well ahead of the fire, landing on roofs, pine needles, and firewood piles, increasing the speed of a fire’s growth - hardening your home and landscape can be the reason one home burns and the neighboring home is untouched.

The hard truth is we're behind on both mitigating catastrophic wildfire and building community preparedness. While we can't prevent every wildfire, we can reduce their severity and better protect our communities.

This means investing in better forest management, confronting a changing climate, and in doing so, relearning the beneficial, communal relationship with fire that our landscapes and our communities once had.

Read the full article: https://landscouncil.org/news/understanding-the-spokane-complex-fires

08/05/2026

People displaced by the Kaiser Canyon Fire on the Colville Reservation are still in need of aid - this Sunday, Aug. 9, from 8AM - 5PM, you can drop off items at the Hillyard Laundry Building, 3108 E Olympic Ave.

Donations will then be driven over to the Colville Reservation for distribution.

Most needed items:
Bottled water/Gatorade
Gas Cards
Non-perishable food & snacks
T-shirts/Underwear/Socks
Blankets/sheets/pillows
Toilet paper/wipes/baby wipes
Spray bottles

Can't make it to our donation drive this Sunday? You can place an order via this Amazon Wish List of the most-needed items for those impacted by the Kaiser Canyon Fire: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LQ8YI48RQLV6?

Bobby Whittaker Northeast Washington Forest Coalition

08/03/2026

Our hearts are with everyone affected by the Spokane Complex wildfires this weekend, especially those who have lost homes, been forced to evacuate, or are facing an uncertain road ahead. We are deeply grateful to the firefighters and emergency personnel who have worked tirelessly to protect lives and property, and to the entire Spokane community for its quick coordination of relief efforts and outpouring of generosity.

Although we live in a region ecologically adapted to fire, new stressors, including climate change, drought, and forest management practices, are making wildfires hotter, larger, and more frequent. As we witness the many large fires burning across eastern Washington right now, we see the vital need for healthy, resilient forests and communities, and will continue to work to protect this region we all love.

Recovering from these fires will take time, but together we can support our neighbors today while working toward a more resilient future.

How can you currently help?

Stay out of Level 3 Evacuation zones. Entering puts you in danger and interferes with emergency crews’ work.

Donate Funds:
Innovia Foundation: https://innovia.org/wildfire-response/
HOME Starts Here: https://my.spokanecity.org/endinghomelessness/donations/
World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/news/spokane-wa-wildfires/

Donate Items:
Asian Community Center - clothing, toiletries, non-perishable food - 205 N University Rd. Ste. 5 Spokane Valley
Global Neighborhood Thrift - donation bin for clothing. Clothing vouchers available for fire victims - 919 E Trent Ave, Spokane
Spokanimal - pet food, blankets, towels - 710 N Napa St, Spokane
Second Harvest - non-perishable food donations - 1234 E Front Ave, Spokane
Items to be taken to fire victims on the Colville Reservation:
Hillyard Laundry Building - 3108 E Olympic Ave, Spokane - Sun. Aug. 9, 8 AM - 5 PM
Most Needed Items:
Bottled water/Gatorade
Gas Cards
Non-perishable food & snacks
T-shirts/Underwear/Socks
Blankets/sheets/pillows
Toilet paper/wipes/baby wipes
Spray bottles

We will be sharing more information and resources in the coming days. Stay safe!

08/01/2026

Summer means stewardship! The Lands Council and Dignified Workday have been busy watering CoolCanopy trees - as the heat rises, watering young trees regularly gives them the best chance to survive and thrive.

Start with five gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week and adjust as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. For the first three years, water trees at least once a week, barring rain, and more frequently during hot weather. Mulching newly established trees also helps prevent moisture loss.

Want more shade for your property? Sign up for CoolCanopy trees - https://landscouncil.org/coolcanopy

Summer is also when we most need flexible funds to support all our programs! Contribute to our summer campaign, This Land, This Summer and become a member of The Lands Council by donating $50 or more. https://landscouncil.org/donate

07/28/2026

If you live in Spokane County and are concerned about data center development, this is a great way to voice your opinions. You can join in person or via Zoom. Share with your friends and family - let's get a big turnout!

Are you concerned about the proposed AI data center in Spokane County? There is a chance for you to make your voice heard at the planning commission meeting this Thursday at 9 AM. Located in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room, Lower Level, Public Works Building, located at 1026 W. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260

If you can't make it in person, you can attend virtually. Scan the QR code for the Zoom link. https://bit.ly/4bhvSuD

07/27/2026

The Lands Council is proud to endorse a Yes vote on Proposition 1. If passed, Prop 1 would renew the existing 0.2% local sales tax that supports public transit, continuing the current voter-approved rate through 2048 without increasing it. A healthy public transit system helps the climate and our community.
Learn more: https://www.spokanetransit.com/sta-proposition-1/
Be sure to get your ballots in by August 4!