Spokane Urban Nature
Apr 13, 2026
Neighborhood Groups
[PDF page 1 of 4]
To All Concerned:
Please consider our comments on the PlanSpokane Preferred Alternative from Spokane Urban Nature.
Spokane’s residents have consistently expressed desire for more access to and protection for nature. Spokane Urban Nature (SUN) is concerned about how the next part of this PlanSpokane process and the Critical Areas Ordinance will proceed. We will be watching closely to make sure that our community’s love of nature is reflected in the next steps.
[PDF page 2 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
Our community wants to have a greater voice in the revision of our city’s land use map and development and zoning codes. This process should not simply favor development everywhere but also require protection of large and small natural lands. Neighborhood representatives and people with experience in natural lands and habitat should be included in committees involved in revising the Comp Plan Land Use Map, its implementing zoning and development code, and the Critical Areas Ordinance (i.e. from the Community Assembly’s Land Use Subcommittee or from Spokane Urban Nature). The process should include business and development interests AND representatives from the neighborhoods who will shoulder the consequences of in-fill development.
Our concern is that there has been a lot of public input favoring natural systems protection and we’re not sure this is being adequately represented in the Comp Plan revision process. Natural lands and overall green infrastructure need to be identified in the “preferred alternative’s” land use map so that future development will not erase them.
We support the idea of infill housing, where appropriate, but not at the expense of our remaining undisturbed natural lands that can enable wildlife habitat and green infrastructure. Some people may think that our urban areas are too disturbed to worry about it, but if you read the feedback that came out of the PlanSpokane public outreach and Spokane Parks Master Planning process, people here care deeply about small but important natural assets. These assets have to be identified and protected, especially at a time when drought and fire are considered their own season.
[PDF page 3 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
Spokane’s green infrastructure makes us more resilient as the climate continues to change. (Our use of the term green infrastructure is meant to follow the EPA’s guidance for storm water management using natural features as well as the overall protection of natural lands for habitat and recreation.) We have record low snow pack levels this year, which will likely bring more intense drought and fire. Our river and aquifer will run low. Last year we had a stretch of our river run dry. Green infrastructure offers a much-needed reprieve from heat and stressful weather patterns, for humans, and our other than human neighbors, who we have a responsibility to consider. Wildlife needs access to water and shade, just like we do.
Habitat corridors are considered critical areas and should be delineated, whether they are proven habitat for endangered species or not. Washington’s changing climate and Department of Commerce Climate Planning Guidance requires the city to pay attention to migration corridors because we know animals are moving north and south to find reprieve from changes in the climate. Our state’s Fish and Wildlife Department in the WAHCAP Plan highlighted successful efforts in Bellingham to identify and create habitat corridors in urban areas. Our city should take advantage of these recommendations as well as new GIS software that makes identifying habitats and connecting them easier than ever before.
[PDF page 4 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
The City’s revised zoning and development code should be framed by the Critical Areas Ordinance and SEPA. The proposed “Open Space” land use designation should be properly represented in the land use map and in implementation of the revised development codes. Planners and decision makers should look to the guidance offered in the Natural Environment chapter of Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan (NE 5.3) and “identify, purchase, preserve and maintain existing and potential links between habitats seeking to form a network…” There are many goals outlined in our Comprehensive Plan Natural Environment chapter that warrant consideration. A plan is only as good as what you do with it and how well you implement it.
Our green infrastructure should be mapped, valued, and protected whenever possible. We need to include critical areas, habitat corridors and open spaces in the land use mapping process. The community expects the revised zoning and development code to clearly and forcefully protect, restore and enhance this critical resource in harmony with accommodating new growth and facilitating adequate housing for all.
Karen Mobley, President
Kirsten Angell, Vice President
Jeff Lambert, Secretary
Spokane Urban Nature
[Professional contact details omitted from the reading text.]
Spokane Urban Nature
Apr 13, 2026
Neighborhood Groups
[PDF page 1 of 4]
To All Concerned:
Please consider our comments on the PlanSpokane Preferred Alternative from Spokane Urban Nature.
Spokane’s residents have consistently expressed desire for more access to and protection for nature. Spokane Urban Nature (SUN) is concerned about how the next part of this PlanSpokane process and the Critical Areas Ordinance will proceed. We will be watching closely to make sure that our community’s love of nature is reflected in the next steps.
[PDF page 2 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
Our community wants to have a greater voice in the revision of our city’s land use map and development and zoning codes. This process should not simply favor development everywhere but also require protection of large and small natural lands. Neighborhood representatives and people with experience in natural lands and habitat should be included in committees involved in revising the Comp Plan Land Use Map, its implementing zoning and development code, and the Critical Areas Ordinance (i.e. from the Community Assembly’s Land Use Subcommittee or from Spokane Urban Nature). The process should include business and development interests AND representatives from the neighborhoods who will shoulder the consequences of in-fill development.
Our concern is that there has been a lot of public input favoring natural systems protection and we’re not sure this is being adequately represented in the Comp Plan revision process. Natural lands and overall green infrastructure need to be identified in the “preferred alternative’s” land use map so that future development will not erase them.
We support the idea of infill housing, where appropriate, but not at the expense of our remaining undisturbed natural lands that can enable wildlife habitat and green infrastructure. Some people may think that our urban areas are too disturbed to worry about it, but if you read the feedback that came out of the PlanSpokane public outreach and Spokane Parks Master Planning process, people here care deeply about small but important natural assets. These assets have to be identified and protected, especially at a time when drought and fire are considered their own season.
[PDF page 3 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
Spokane’s green infrastructure makes us more resilient as the climate continues to change. (Our use of the term green infrastructure is meant to follow the EPA’s guidance for storm water management using natural features as well as the overall protection of natural lands for habitat and recreation.) We have record low snow pack levels this year, which will likely bring more intense drought and fire. Our river and aquifer will run low. Last year we had a stretch of our river run dry. Green infrastructure offers a much-needed reprieve from heat and stressful weather patterns, for humans, and our other than human neighbors, who we have a responsibility to consider. Wildlife needs access to water and shade, just like we do.
Habitat corridors are considered critical areas and should be delineated, whether they are proven habitat for endangered species or not. Washington’s changing climate and Department of Commerce Climate Planning Guidance requires the city to pay attention to migration corridors because we know animals are moving north and south to find reprieve from changes in the climate. Our state’s Fish and Wildlife Department in the WAHCAP Plan highlighted successful efforts in Bellingham to identify and create habitat corridors in urban areas. Our city should take advantage of these recommendations as well as new GIS software that makes identifying habitats and connecting them easier than ever before.
[PDF page 4 of 4 begins within the following paragraph.]
The City’s revised zoning and development code should be framed by the Critical Areas Ordinance and SEPA. The proposed “Open Space” land use designation should be properly represented in the land use map and in implementation of the revised development codes. Planners and decision makers should look to the guidance offered in the Natural Environment chapter of Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan (NE 5.3) and “identify, purchase, preserve and maintain existing and potential links between habitats seeking to form a network…” There are many goals outlined in our Comprehensive Plan Natural Environment chapter that warrant consideration. A plan is only as good as what you do with it and how well you implement it.
Our green infrastructure should be mapped, valued, and protected whenever possible. We need to include critical areas, habitat corridors and open spaces in the land use mapping process. The community expects the revised zoning and development code to clearly and forcefully protect, restore and enhance this critical resource in harmony with accommodating new growth and facilitating adequate housing for all.
Karen Mobley, President
Kirsten Angell, Vice President
Jeff Lambert, Secretary
Spokane Urban Nature
[Professional contact details omitted from the reading text.]