Beryl Baker’s conservation easement is located 26 miles north of Spokane and 6 miles north of Deer Park. The scenic land borders such outlying local favorites as Little Grouse Mountain and the Colville National Forest. Beryl Baker purchased the property in 1966 after seeing an ad in the Wall Street Journal. “I needed a change from banking in Seattle,” he said with a chuckle. He wanted to return to the land and make his own way. A sentiment most likely instilled from a childhood growing up on a wheat farm near Kahlotus, Washington.

Feathered friends find sanctuary on Beryl Baker’s natural habitat. The common birds include rufous hummingbirds, steller’s jays, ravens, varied thrush, mountain bluebirds, red crossbill, ruffed grouse, spotted and barred owls, and many more. The wetlands and creeks invite an enthusiastic gathering of waterfowl, osprey, and bald eagles. Threatened, endangered or rare bird species include harlequin ducks and upland sandpipers.

The variety of vegetation also demonstrates the diversity of the Little Spokane Watershed. A tribune of Dragoon Creek saturates the riparian and wetland habitat as it snakes among the woodlands. Reptiles such as spotted frogs, western toads, long-toed salamanders, and other small critters find refuge among the array of Inland Northwest geological habitats.

The wildlife on Beryl Baker’s land is diverse and includes deer, bear, cougar, elk, and other critters. He frequently spots many animals wandering on the property. “The only thing I haven’t seen is wolves,” he states.

The low elevation habitats are important for wintering elk and deer. Beryl maintains the wildlife habitat by forest management and active control of noxious weeds.

Brooke Nicholson
Outreach Coordinator
509-328-2939
outreach@inlandnwlandtrust.org