Hi everybody!

I wonder if I could ask everyone on the list server to send me a reply with
the number of visits you currently make to Reardan's ponds (now called
Reardan's Audubon Lake) per year--even if it is a quick stop. Any comments
on your visits would be welcome!

We (Reardan's Audubon Lake Committee) are putting together an info packet
for the folks (Reardan Chamber, legislators, etc) that need one. Please
read further if you are interested in the status of the property.
I want to thank everyone again for your contributions for the property!

Thanks!

Cindy

Cindy McCormack
Spokane, WA
cbirds at comcast.net

Update on Reardan's Audubon Lake:

In March 2004, Inland Northwest Land Trust paid $50,000 to landowner Susan
Eastman to secure an option to buy Reardan's Audubon Lake for a total of
$350,000. INLT has until March 2006 to raise the rest of the money or to
find a conservation buyer, such as the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW).
The WDFW is seeking a grant in 2005 from the Washington Wildlife and
Recreation Program (WWRP) to purchase the 277-acre Reardan's Audubon Lake
property as a Watchable Wildlife site. Funding for the WWRP is likely to be
part of the state legislature's next capital budget. (See article on
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, page 6.)
The Audubon Lake project scored high in the very competitive WWRP ranking
process. We are now waiting for the legislature to make its budget
appropriations in early 2005. If funded, then WDFW would purchase Audubon
Lake and make initial improvements. Management of the property likely will
be a cooperative venture between the City of Reardan, Spokane Audubon
Society and WDFW.

If the legislature does not fund the WWRP program or, specifically,
Reardan's Audubon Lake, then Inland Northwest Land Trust will need to raise
$300,000 by March 2006, in order to buy the property.

For more information or if you would like to pledge or contribute, contact
Vicki Sola at Inland Northwest Land Trust at 509-462-1239 or
vsola at inlandnwlandtrust.org. Or you can mail contributions to Inland
Northwest Land Trust at 35 West Main Avenue, Suite 210, Spokane, WA 99201.
Please write "Reardan's Audubon Lake" on your check.
Vicki Sola