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Vast Woodland Gifted to Kalispel Tribe for Future
8 Sep
Summary
- Nearly 900 acres of woodland were donated to the Kalispel Tribe.
- The land has deep cultural and ecological importance.
- The donation combines private conservation with Indigenous stewardship.
Gary Verbrugge, a 72-year-old man from Washington state, has donated approximately 885 acres of family-owned woodland to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. This significant land transfer ensures long-term Indigenous stewardship of a landscape with deep cultural and ecological importance.
The woodland, situated along the Little Spokane River, harbors diverse environments from river bottoms to steep forests, supporting wildlife like moose, elk, wolves, and bears. Verbrugge dedicated decades to restoring the property, which had been impacted by logging, through replanting trees and stabilizing riverbanks.
Verbrugge's decision aligns with the Kalispel Tribe's development of its first Tribally owned community forest, focused on natural resource education. The Tribe's ancestral territory extends across a wide region, making the stewardship of this land particularly significant for cultural activities.
Prior to the donation, Verbrugge secured 605 acres with a conservation easement in 2007 and later added an additional 280 acres, preventing future development. The Kalispel Natural Resources Department collaborated with Verbrugge on forest management plans, including thinning and fuel reduction efforts to enhance habitat and mitigate wildfire risk.
This donation represents a unique fusion of private conservation and Indigenous stewardship, ensuring the continued health of the land and its contribution to the Little Spokane River's ecosystem for generations to come.
