What THE LANDS COUNCIL does

The Lands Council is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in Spokane, Washington, that preserves and revitalizes Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through advocacy, education, restoration, and community engagement. The organization operates five core programs: SpoCanopy urban forestry (targeting a doubling of Spokane's tree canopy to 40% by 2030), Climate Justice policy advocacy, Environmental Education (including the SnowSchool program teaching children about snowpack and aquifers), Watershed Restoration (using beaver dam analogs, riparian tree planting, and biochar production), and Public Lands & Forest Protection. Technical core competencies include beaver dam analog installation, riparian restoration techniques, prescribed fire training (Selkirk TREX), and biochar production — field-conservation methods rather than digital products.

The Lands Council serves a diversified stakeholder base spanning individual community members and donors, K-12 schools and students, low-income urban neighborhoods targeted for canopy expansion, municipal and federal government partners (City of Spokane, Spokane County, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service), five regional tribes (Coeur d'Alene, Colville, Kalispel, Kootenai, Spokane), and conservation NGOs and corporate sponsors. Notable partners include Avista Utilities (urban forestry sponsor), Gonzaga University (research), and Vaagen Brothers Lumber (NEWFC coalition co-founder).

The organization is funded through individual donations and a $50+ annual membership tier, the annual April Showers Auction (in its 31st consecutive year as Spokane's longest-running environmental fundraiser), federal/state/local grants, business sponsorships, and legacy giving managed via the Innovia Foundation. Distribution is community-led: volunteer events (400+ participants at the 2023 Spokane River Clean-Up), school-based programming, digital channels (the Beaver Tales newsletter, website), and signature events such as the annual Legislative Summit (350+ attendees including Governor Inslee in 2024). No commercial software product or technology platform is offered.

Name

THE LANDS COUNCIL

Legal name

The Lands Council

Website

https://landscouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lands Council is a Spokane-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that protects Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through five programs — urban forestry, watershed restoration, environmental education, public lands advocacy, and climate justice — serving communities, schools, tribes, and government partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Watershed restoration programs
• Urban forestry initiatives
• Environmental education programs
• Climate justice advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Individual donations solicited through website, mail, and events. Membership offered to donors giving $50 or more annually, providing access to events and exclusive content.
2. April Showers Auction: Annual in-person fundraising auction featuring live and silent auctions. Primary annual fundraiser generating significant revenue for operations.
3. Grants and Government Funding: Federal, state, and local grants supporting specific programs including watershed restoration, urban forestry, and climate justice initiatives.
4. Sponsorships: Business sponsorships for events and programs, particularly the April Showers Auction and SpoCanopy urban forestry initiatives.
5. Legacy Giving and Endowment: Planned giving through bequests and endowment contributions managed via Innovia Foundation to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Lands Council preserves and revitalizes Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through advocacy, education, effective action, and community engagement. Its core offerings are five conservation programs (Urban Forestry, Climate Justice, Environmental Education, Watershed Restoration, and Public Lands & Forest Protection) delivered through community volunteer events, school partnerships, and policy advocacy across the Spokane region. The organization is supported by individual donations, memberships, grants, sponsorships, and an annual fundraising auction.

Product overview

The Lands Council is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of conservation programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include SpoCanopy/Urban Forestry (street tree planting in underserved neighborhoods), Climate Justice (policy advocacy), Environmental Education (outdoor learning including SnowSchool), Watershed Restoration (beaver dam analogs and riparian planting), and Public Lands & Forest Protection. The organization runs signature events including the annual April Showers Auction and Legislative Summit. Programs are delivered through community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and advocacy work, with no commercial software product or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SpoCanopy Urban Forestry Program Urban forestry program that plants free street trees in low-income Spokane neighborhoods with low canopy coverage, targeting 40% canopy coverage by 2030 (up from 20% city average) to address environmental justice and heat equity.
• Climate Justice Program Policy advocacy program advancing climate legislation, ensuring clean water and clean air, supporting the Climate Commitment Act, and coordinating the annual Legislative Summit.
• Environmental Education Program Outdoor learning experiences including the SnowSchool curriculum that teach children about snowpack, climate change, and aquifer systems, delivered through school partnerships across the Inland Northwest.
• Watershed Restoration Program Riparian restoration program using beaver dam analogs (BDAs), native tree planting, and stream habitat restoration across the Spokane River watershed, including projects at Marshall Creek, Thompson Creek, Deadman Creek, and Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.
• Public Lands & Forest Protection Program Advocacy program protecting national forests and public lands from sale or development, supporting forest collaboratives like the Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC), and engaging in legislative advocacy on public lands policy.
• April Showers Auction Annual in-person fundraising auction featuring live and silent auctions; Spokane's longest-standing environmental non-profit fundraiser, held for 31 consecutive years as the organization's primary annual fundraiser. Individual tickets priced at $95, table of 8 at $700.
• Legislative Summit

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced clearcutting by over 80% in regional National Forests in the 1990s
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Spokane Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for riparian restoration projects including Thompson Creek beaver dam analog installations and CoolCanopy tree planting programs. Collaborates on community tree distribution and neighborhood canopy expansion initiatives.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for habitat restoration at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, including Marshall Creek wetlands project and Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program collaborations.
• Gonzaga UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for climate studies, environmental education, and collaborative research. Gonzaga Climate Center works with TLC on Beat the Heat initiative and beaver dam analog research.
• Avista UtilitiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor for SpoCanopy urban forestry program and tree planting initiatives. Provides funding and employee volunteers for neighborhood tree planting events.
• Roast House CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal coffee roaster and founding partner. Named in honor of Deb Di Bernardo, supporter of The Lands Council. Coffee sponsor for April Showers Auction events.
• Spokane River KeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of annual Spokane River Clean-Up, the region's premier river cleanup event now in its 20th year. Collaborates on water quality advocacy.
• Spokane Audubon SocietysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint restoration partner for tree planting events along Little Spokane River, combining bird habitat restoration with riparian enhancement.
• City of SpokanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban forestry partner for SpoCanopy program and City of Spokane Urban Forestry collaboration. Works with Sustainability Action Subcommittee on climate policy.
• Inland Northwest Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for Reforest Spokane Day and land preservation initiatives. Collaborates on conservation area management and stewardship.
• Vaagen Brothers LumbercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimber company partner in Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC), a national model for balancing forest restoration, old growth protection, and rural economic support.
• Colville Confederated TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner for salmon restoration, First Salmon Ceremony, and cultural programming including Legislative Summit canoe race and salmon ceremony.
• Kalispel Tribe of IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner in Pend Oreille Lead Entity and biochar pilot project. Collaborates on forest fuels reduction and salmon habitat restoration.
• One Percent for the PlanetsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental membership organization where member businesses contribute to TLC through the One Percent for the Planet network.
• New Forest CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLC helped found this coalition, a national model for balancing forest restoration, old growth protection, and rural economic support in Northeast Washington.
• Spokane Salmon Restoration CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewly formed collaborative working to restore salmon, red band, and cutthroat trout habitat across Northeast Washington. TLC is an active member.
• Canopy Credit UnionsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial partner sponsoring CoolCanopy tree planting events and urban forestry programs in Spokane Valley.
• AHBLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor of The Lands Council programs and events.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spokane Conservation District: Local-government conservation district delivering tree distribution, urban canopy programs (CoolCanopy partner with TLC), and watershed work across Spokane County. Directly comparable mission and target geography.
• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy: Regional land conservancy operating in the same Inland Northwest geography with overlapping focus on conservation easements, land preservation, and stewardship. TLC lists it as a Core strategic partner on reforestation initiatives, indicating direct program alignment.
• Washington Environmental Council: Statewide environmental advocacy and policy organization that, like TLC, works on forest protection, climate policy, and salmon recovery in Washington State. Comparable mix of advocacy plus on-the-ground program delivery.

Regional players

• Wild Fish Conservancy: Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on wild salmon and steelhead habitat protection and restoration; overlaps with TLC's salmon restoration work through Spokane Salmon Restoration Collaborative and Columbia Basin partnerships.
• Forterra: Pacific Northwest land conservation organization (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy) working on land preservation, urban green space, and sustainable forestry across Washington State. Comparable mission in overlapping but broader geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Wilderness Society: National public lands conservation organization that recognized TLC's founder in 1996; works on National Forest protection and federal lands policy, directly overlapping TLC's Public Lands & Forest Protection program.
• American Rivers: National river and clean water advocacy organization; directly comparable on Spokane River and watershed restoration themes, including river cleanup and water quality advocacy at a national scale.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater conservation organization with significant Pacific Northwest presence; works on salmon and trout habitat restoration, including the Little Spokane River area where TLC is active. Overlaps strongly on watershed restoration work.
• Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit working on urban green space, parks, and forest protection including Pacific Northwest projects. Comparable urban forestry and land conservation mission at a broader geographic scale.
• The Nature Conservancy (Washington Chapter): Largest global conservation organization with active Washington operations including forest protection, salmon restoration, and climate adaptation — directly comparable program areas to TLC across a broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thelandscouncil

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE LANDS COUNCIL