Connected to Place
Local stories. Hands-on discovery. A deeper connection to the place we call home.
THE IDEAEvery place has something to teach us.
A forest, a rock face, or a food garden can open a conversation about how people use and care for the land.
Connected to Place pairs stories with observation and hands-on learning. The planned Quarry pilot connects natural processes, local history, and stewardship with what visitors can see around them.
The former mining and asphalt production property is now home to the Spokane Conservation District and a growing campus for conservation and community activity.
HOW IT BEGAN A shared idea became a plan to build together.
An initial conversation in June of 2026 led to a planned working session. UCRCD, Spokane Conservation District, and Spokane Storytime saw a shared opportunity to connect storytelling, conservation, and outdoor learning.
The partners chose joint development rather than a single stand-alone project. A signed program development agreement created the initial phase for design, funding development, and a Quarry pilot.
WHERE THE WORK STANDSDesign. Test. Learn.
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Design & prepare
Refine the route and learning content, consult educators and knowledge holders, and develop funding.
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Test at the Quarry
The plan targets initial on-the-ground activity in spring 2027, subject to readiness and partner confirmation.
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Learn & decide
Review participant and educator feedback, resources, and results before committing to a next phase.
CO-DEVELOPED TOGETHERThree partners. Complementary strengths.
01 / Project support
Upper Columbia RC&D
Nonprofit administration, funding development, financial oversight, and a regional platform for community-led work.
02 / Place & practice
Spokane Conservation District
The Quarry pilot site, conservation knowledge, and on-the-ground experience to fit the program to the campus.
03 / Story & experience
Spokane Storytime
Creative storytelling, interpretive content, community engagement, and digital tools connecting stories to place.
Beyond the classroom.
Into a world of discovery.
IMAGINE THE EXPERIENCEA story. A question. Something to discover.
A shorter lower-campus route would bring learning stops closer to facilities, shade, staff, and bus access. These are themes to develop and test.
Observe
Forest & habitat
Look closely at the living landscape. Explore forest health, habitat, and the decisions behind land stewardship.
Investigate
Land & geology
Connect visible landforms with the processes that shape a place, and explore how restoration changes its future.
Connect
Plants & food systems
Follow the connections between plants, food, and community, with room for questions and hands-on discovery.
A DAY AT THE QUARRYA field trip worth bringing home
A day of discovery. Stories to share. A connection to place that lasts beyond the bus ride home.
Explore together
Six stops. One shared adventure.
The proposed loop would connect Spokane Conservation District and Scale House Market with forest, wetland features, and exposed quarry rock. Small groups would rotate through six interpretive stations, exploring a different part of the landscape at each stop.
Watch, then discover
Bring each story into view.
A station leader would play a short video connecting the sign, the story, and the place in front of them. Each student would receive a field guide with questions, hands-on activities, and space to record discoveries, encouraging them to look closer and make observations at each station.
Take it home
Give the day another chapter.
Students would keep their field guides, with QR codes to replay the videos and share what they learned with their families. Proposed keepsakes, including SCD pencils and completion badges, would give them another reminder of the day.
THOUGHTFUL BY DESIGNStories that Connect.
A sign introduces the story. A short video brings it to life. The landscape gives students somewhere to explore. Our goal is to build these experiences with educators and Spokane Tribe partners, creating learning opportunities for Spokane Public Schools and Tribal students.
The thinking behind Connected to Place.
Explore how a shared idea for outdoor learning grew into a plan for stories, signage, and discovery at the Quarry.
GET INVOLVEDHelp shape what comes next.
Bring your educational experience, conservation knowledge, or practical skills. Future needs include trail docents, field-trip support, and building or maintaining interpretive stations.