Few creatures that roam this planet have the ability to alter their environment quite like humans can. Humans have made some wise decisions in regards to caring for the land that sustains them, but we have also made many foolish decisions as well. The Dishman Hills Natural Area is no different. This area was slated for development in the 1960's. Thanks to a small group of grass-roots activists who in 1966 launched a series of hikes to the area to share the amazing beauty and wonder to those who have yet to discover it's mysteries. As a result of sharing this place with the entire community this group of local activists were able to save the Dishman Hills from development and thus forever preserving a small piece of our local ecological heritage for future generations.

In 1994 Spokane County created the "Conservation Futures Program" which provides a 6-cent tax per $1,000 of property value to be used for acquisition of natural space in our community for public use and enjoyment. This program continues today, and has helped acquire land that has become part of the Dishman Hills Natural Area. Currently the Iller Creek Conservation Area was acquired using these funds and we hopefully be linked to the Dishman Hills Natural Area giving humans and their wild cousins more room to roam.

Today there is an organization that looks over the "Hills" for us, they are called the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to saving nature areas in the Spokane region for public enjoyment and education. The DHNAA meets every other month on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm. You can call Michael Hamilton @ 747-8147 for more information. The DHNAA manages the Dishman Hills along with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Spokane County Parks.