CONSERVATION -- The Dishman Hills Conservancy is organizing free group hikes among other events to celebrate 50 years of the group's efforts to preserve a cherished swath of natural area in Spokane Valley.

Participants on these hikes will learn about the hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat and room for exploring that's been secured from development. 

Dishman Hills Conservancy areas are regularly used for as natural classrooms by area schools.

The conservancy's effort is ongoing to close the gaps between Dishman Hills Natural Area and the more recently acquired Spokane County Conservation Futures areas ranging from the Camp Caro (accessible by city bus near the car dealerships on Appleway Boulevard) to the Rocks of Sharon.

DHC members are working hard to raise money, negotiate, buy land or secure easements to protect more land and increase community access before land prices get beyond the nonprofit group's reach. 

Getting involved is as easy as making an online donation to the Connecting People to Nature project.

For fun and insight, join some of the group members on a hike.

Upcoming activities include:

March 13 -- Glenrose Conservation Area hike, carpool to trailhead, 1 p.m.-4p.m.

March 19 -- Big Rock hike from Stevens Creek parking lot, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

April 9 -- Annual Buttercup Hike, noon, from Camp Caro off Appleway Blvd.

April 15 -- DHC 50th Year Celebration Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Barrister Winery

Sign up for the free hikes online at dishmanhills.org.

Info: Jeff Lambert, 999-5100.