Five and a half years later, Spokane River Forum accomplishments keep on coming
As a small non-profit, our accomplishments are made possible through partnerships and collaborations with individuals, clubs, conservation groups, foundations, business, government and area tribes. To each and every one who has made the Forum a success, thank you. Our communities are stronger because of you.
Here’s a quick summary of what the Spokane River Forum is up to and our many accomplishments. Our joy is to create dialogs, develop initiatives and collaborate with others to help sustain a healthy river system.
River eNews, Facebook and Web Site
Over 2,700 people stay up to the minute with all things Spokane River via our eNews letter that’s delivered every three to six weeks. Click here to taste a sample.
Facebook posts come out every one or two weeks, tying you into events, fun pictures and timely information you don’t want to miss. Like us on Facebook today!!
Visit our web site like thousands of others who rely on our informational pages and blog posts to learn more about the Spokane River.
Spokane River Water Trail Web Site
The water trail web site, www.spokanewatertrail.org, was visited by over fifteen thousand people in its first year and is growing, making the Spokane River a destination attraction for locals and visitors alike. It has set an extraordinary standard for being highly interactive as well as providing informational pages for fishing, paddling, safety, stewardship, and other support resources.
Cleanup, Restoration and Water Trail Access
5 years of hard work later, Spokane River Water Trail by the numbers: 1 interactive website, 3 new access sites, 4 restored access sites, new camping/boating access on Lake Spokane coming this summer, and 3 new access sites coming this fall. One successful project after another continues to increase public confidence and support for Spokane River stewardship that combines river access, a commitment to safety, and riparian restoration. Click here to visit our stewardship page showing our awesome volunteers and restoration projects.
Meet Me at the River
We’ve led the way in helping people discover all or part of the Spokane River. Over 700 participants and 1,200 passenger trips later, the market’s been proven. Guides, clubs, and outfitters now offer trips to people of all ages and abilities, allowing us to focus more on special events and water trail development.
This summer, for instance, we’ll be taking Project Hope teenagers out on the river. This is a first time experience for youth who have grown up within a mile of the river but never been on it or learned much about it. Other activities include helping sponsor the Spokane River Classic, a family-friendly timed event for beginner and expert paddlers, and an overnight paddling expedition with the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
EnviroStars
Shop Sma
rt! Look for the EnviroStars logo. This unique partnership between the Forum and seven state and local agencies helps small businesses keep hazardous and other waste out of the Spokane River and aquifer. Over 75 small businesses have gone through certified inspections and joined the program.
In the fall of 2014, the on-line EnviroStars Waste Directory will be launched. This will further help keep the Spokane River and aquifer clean by making it easy for small businesses and individuals to find where or how to properly dispose over 250 waste types and/or adopt “green” alternatives.
Click here to learn more.
Public Meetings
This year’s H20 Breakfast on stormwater management drew over 150 people into a regional dialog about critical investments being made and contemplated to further improve and meet Spokane River water quality standards.
Our 2014 conference, which we expect will draw over 250 people, will again provide a focal point for those interested in learning about and dialoging on the latest Spokane River water quality, water resources, and river access/restoration projects. This year’s conference will be at the Coeur d’Alene Resort November 18th – 20th.
Print and Web Information
We provide plain talk information on technical and sometimes difficult to understand issues that affect the river. We’ve worked with partners to release two public guides, “Toxic Chemicals and Heavy Metals in the Spokane River,” and “Understanding Stormwater Permitting in the City of Spokane.”