Community Effort to Save Conservation Area in Spokane Continues as April 1 Deadline Looms
More than 50 local Spokane stakeholders and elected officials are joining Washington Wild in calling for a reexamination of the sale of the Thorpe Property, urging that the best interests of trust beneficiaries be upheld. In a letter sent to Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove and the Board of Natural Resources, conservation advocates are calling for the invocation of the termination clause in the controversial land exchange at the upcoming April 1 board meeting.
How the Thorpe Property Became a Flashpoint in Spokane
Late last year, Spokane’s 192-acre Thorpe/Westwood Natural Area—approved by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program—awaited funding from the State Legislature. Once secured, Thorpe, home to diverse and vital wildlife habitats, would be managed by the Spokane Parks Department with plans to build a nature center and trailhead to improve recreational access. In exchange, the state trust would be compensated, enabling DNR to acquire more economically profitable timberland elsewhere.
However, Thorpe’s future grew uncertain when DNR later plans to fast-track a sale to a developer, a decision approved by the DNR Board on January 7, 2025.
Dan Bernardo, former DNR board member, expressed concern: “Never during my tenure do I recall any land sale or swap that was expedited in a manner similar to this exchange. The process lacked transparency, failed to engage important stakeholders, and ignored a viable alternative to achieve the agency’s goals.”
Wildflowers blooming in the Thorpe/ Westwood Natural Area, Ken Lower
Strong Opposition Within the Local Community
Leading up to the vote, local opposition grew. Washington Wild coordinated a letter signed by over 80 conservation and recreation groups and stakeholders, and generated over 150 public comments. Spokane’s mayor and city council voiced concerns, and even the Washington Department of Transportation testified against the proposed development.
Paul Dillon, Spokane City Council Member, emphasized, “Impacted communities have clearly voiced opposition to the exchange and remain committed to keeping the area as conservation land. We remain committed to keeping this land as conservation space. TLT is the only answer that retains this land in public ownership that provides increased value for trust beneficiaries.”
At a December 2024 public meeting, more than 85 attendees gathered, with 25 speakers opposing the exchange. No one testified in favor of it.
“As a millennial here in Spokane, I’m very concerned about impactful conservation decisions such as the recent Thorpe exchange that ignore voices from the local community,” said Brian Muegge, Spokane Audubon Member and Spokane resident. “Decisions like this have generational negative impacts to public recreation and wildlife habitat even though other, better land conservation options are available.”
Best for Whom, Exactly?
The TLT option is less complex, more certain, and can benefit both trust beneficiaries—the Common School Trust, which funds K-12 construction—and the local community.
In contrast, the DNR Board’s January decision to exchange Thorpe raises financial concerns. DNR plans to transfer the property, valued at $8.4 million, and pay an additional $7 million for a Bellingham property that currently houses a Haggen grocery store. While DNR claims the Bellingham property is worth $15.4 million, the Whatcom County Assessor values it at $11.4 million, raising doubts about the economic viability of the exchange.
“We believe that the agreement made on January 7, 2025 is not in the best interest of trust beneficiaries and should be terminated in favor of the Trust Land Transfer proposal,” said Tom Uniack, Executive Director of Washington Wild. “Furthermore, DNR would set a dangerous precedent by approving the Trust Land Transfer option for the Thorpe property and then moving to approve a mutually exclusive land exchange with a developer just months later.”
When Spokane applied for the TLT program in September 2023, Thorpe was deemed an ideal candidate for conservation.
Amanda Parrish, Executive Director of The Lands Council, stated, “This is a rare opportunity to prioritize public access and habitat preservation.” As a Spokane-based conservation organization, Parrish continued, “Making sound land and forest conservation decisions is essential to ensuring the long-term health of our community and we urge decision-makers to choose the path that benefits future generations.”
