Media Spotlight Shines on DNR’s Controversial Public Lands Sale in Spokane
Late last year, Spokane’s 192-acre Thorpe/Westwood Natural Area was approved for the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) program, awaiting funding from the State Legislature. Once funded, it would be managed by the Spokane Parks Department for conservation, with plans for a nature center and trailhead. In exchange, DNR would be compensated to acquire more profitable timberland. However, in a surprising move, the DNR Board voted on January 7, 2025, to instead fast-track the sale of the land to a developer. This decision lacked transparency, disregarded public input, and ignored alternatives. In response, Washington Wild has been collaborating with 96 local stakeholders and officials to urge DNR to reconsider both the property sale and the TLT option, generating significant media coverage.
March 26, 2025 | KXLY
DNR faces pressure to reconsider sale of 200 acre property in Latah Valley
“Making sound land and forest conservation decisions is essential to ensuring the long-term health of our community. The Thorpe Property presents a rare opportunity to prioritize public access, habitat preservation, and sustainable land management over rushed development.”
—Amanda Parrish, executive director of The Lands Council, a Spokane conservation organization.
March 27, 2025 | The Spokesman-Review
Conservationists make another last ditch effort to halt transfer of Thorpe Road woodland to developer
“What we’re asking the board to do is … to step back and make sure they’ve got this right.“
—Tom Uniack, executive director for Washington Wild
March 29, 2025 | Washington State Standard
State’s hasty swap of 200-acre Thorpe Property in Spokane should be reexamined
“Never during my tenure on the board 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.“
—Dan Bernardo, served on the Washington Board of Natural Resources from 2005 to 2013
March 30, 2025 | The Spokesman-Review
Board of Natural Resources needs to revisit Spokane land exchange
“Current Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove was not in office yet and did not get a chance to review the Thorpe exchange before the board voted on Jan. 7. However, he can put the termination option on the board’s April 1 agenda and stop the exchange. The pause would allow a real discussion to determine whether the best option is to exchange or transfer the Thorpe property for the beneficiary trust, DNR, and Spokane Residents.“
—Jeff Lambert, Spokane resident and President of Friends of the Bluff
April 1, 2025 | The Spokesman-Review
Letters for April 1
“After reading the March 27 article, “Conservationists make another last-ditch effort to halt transfer of Thorpe Road woodland to developer,” it seems clear that the Washington Board of Natural Resources should step back and make sure they make the best decision with all the information about how to transfer or exchange the Thorpe property.
The Spokane City Council passed a resolution asking DNR to do just that on Dec. 4, but the agency did not listen and rushed to approve the transfer of the property on Jan. 7 to a developer instead of pursuing a Trust Land Transfer to the city of Spokane Parks Department that was approved earlier by the agency through a transparent process.
The agency also ignored 25 local Spokane residents who testified at a public hearing in favor of the Trust Land Transfer option on Dec. 4. Not a single person testified in favor of selling off the land for development. In addition, more than 90 conservation, recreation, wildlife organizations and local Spokane businesses and elected officials, like me, have expressed their support for the transfer option.
As a public servant, I am always looking for a win-win opportunity. The Spokane Trust Land Transfer option is just that for trust beneficiaries, DNR and the city of Spokane and its residents. But to do that, BNR will need to exercise the termination clause in the existing transfer agreement at their upcoming board meeting April 1 before it expires five days later.”
—Lili Navarrete, Spokane
