Under Washington law, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1955, who operates a motorized boat or personal watercraft with an engine of 15 horsepower or more must complete an approved course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card when underway. The card is valid for life and must be on board. In addition to local classroom options, state-approved online courses are also available. Learn more at Boatered.org. 

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The Spokane River runs through the heart of our region, fed in large part by the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a 365-square-mile, unconfined aquifer with an estimated 10 trillion gallons of water flowing through it. While the Spokane area is fortunate to have abundant water resources, challenges remain. Lower-than-average summer flows in the Spokane River complicate efforts to rehabilitate the culturally significant redband trout and salmon. Because the aquifer lacks a protective barrier such as hard rock or clay, surface water and pollutants can infiltrate it, making water quality protection a shared responsibility. Everyday actions, from picking up litter and pet waste to preventing vehicle leaks, properly disposing of hazardous waste and choosing drought-tolerant landscaping, all play a role in safeguarding local waterways. 

To raise awareness of the ways we can protect our water resources, Spokane County and other partners will host the second annual World Water Day Celebration on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doris Morrison Learning Center at Saltese Flats Wetlands (1330 S. Henry Road). The free, open-house-style event features a live owl show, Aqua Duck appearance, water-themed student art gallery, guided wetland bird walks, children’s story time and presentations by Spokane County water scientists. Environmental organizations will offer interactive, family-friendly booths. Online registration is encouraged at WorldWaterDay2026.eventbrite.com. 

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The 2026 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show returns March 19-22 to the Spokane Fair & Expo Center with a choose-your-own-adventure mix of gear, how-to learning and kid-friendly attractions for anglers, hunters and anyone who prioritizes time outside. Now in its 64th year, the volunteer-powered show is produced by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council nonprofit organization.

Daily seminars and demonstrations led by local guides and field experts cover skills from casting and fishing techniques to backcountry know-how, with interactive attractions like Fishing World, archery, gem hunting at the Silvermine and a kids’ adventure map offering something for all ages. Fishing World is an event highlight with live-fish pools where little anglers can catch a real fish. There’s also an airsoft rifle range, trophy displays, a lounge for those 21 and older and other live entertainment. Hours run noon-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 online and $18 at the door for adults, with discounts for youth, seniors, veterans, military and first responders; kids 5 and under are free, and kids under 13 get in free Sunday. Details and tickets are available at Inwc.org/big-horn-show.

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Cover photo courtesy of Potato Boys

In this little area of the Inland Northwest that we call home, we rarely get recognized on the world scale for our skiing and snowboarding. While many of us who live here know all about the epic terrain right at our fingertips, few take the adventure head-on. With the release of the Potato Boys’ new film “Caution Terrain”—their third ski film based in the backcountry of Idaho—the crew has launched their biggest adventure yet. 

The debut of the new film by Essex Prescott, Blake Bowerman, Stephen Matkin, Kyle Vandever, and Cameron “Hootch” Hotchkiss at the beautiful StanCraft Jet Center at the Coeur d’Alene Airport this past November was an event to behold. It’s inspiring to watch a local ski crew hit the big screen and get recognized by the community and outlets like “Freeskier Magazine” and Newschoolers.com. With more than 700 attendees at the launch and over 285,000 views racked up on YouTube so far, the film has been a huge success. 

For this latest release, the team regrouped and took on a few lines that had given them the slip in years past. With a mandatory plane drop for all the camp supplies, the team was able to enter an area that’s rarely explored, especially in winter. The film follows the crew through it all as they head into this basin and boot-pack 1,000-foot couloirs to ski lines of their dreams—all while living the ski bum lifestyle in their own backyard. The film launch party also raised more than $8,000 for the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. You can watch “Caution Terrain” on the Potatoboys208 YouTube channel or follow them on Instagram @essexprescott or @potatoboys208.

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Finishers get a bag of leftover gear from past Negative Split races—shirts, hoodies and other swag—plus raffle tickets for additional prizes or future race entries. On top of that, registration includes a free wristband for entry to the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo right at the finish line, where there are over 70 outdoor recreation exhibitors, live music and entertainment, a full bar and more. For anyone craving a bit of outdoor community during the late-winter lull, the Swag Run hits the spot. Lace up your shoes, bring a few friends and enjoy an easygoing morning run that rewards you with fitness, fun and a pile of quality swag. 

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A major land conservation effort has added 2,135 acres of sagebrush steppe and Columbia River shoreline to Washington’s Big Bend Wildlife Area in Douglas County. Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) recently transferred Big Bend Ranch—a property featuring 1.5 miles of river frontage—to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for permanent protection and public access. Located 14 miles northwest of Grand Coulee, the ranch’s basalt cliffs, rolling hills and wetland spring habitat support a variety of wildlife, including the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, one of Washington’s most imperiled bird species. The property also fronts Rufus Woods Lake, a 51-mile reservoir between Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams that retains flowing current and supports kokanee and rainbow trout. 

“Conserving these places is critical for upland game birds and other wildlife, and it gives people more opportunity to experience what remains of the Columbia Plateau’s sagebrush-steppe,” said Jessica Inwood, Washington project manager for WRC. With the addition of Big Bend Ranch, the Big Bend Wildlife Area now totals about 24,000 acres of protected public land. The expansion opens new opportunities for hunting, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing on one of the Upper Columbia’s most scenic and ecologically significant stretches. 

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Whether you pedal solo or join a team under the “Corporate Cup,” you’ll be riding for more than just mountain views—all entry fees go to support cancer research at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute. Born from the legacy of Wendy Ramsey and her battle with a rare form of blood cancer, the event brings together community, riders and cause—a chance to help push forward vital funding for cancer research. Climb for the Cure founder Duane Ramsey said there are other upgrades planned for this year’s ride, from prizes, a water station addition near the summit and more food options to adjustments to the two route start times to synchronize when riders roll back in. “It’s always a goal to make the rider experience a little better every year,” said Ramsey. 

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A steep, sketchy gully on Spokane’s South Hill just became a gateway to adventure. The new Rocket Gulch Stairs now connect neighborhood streets to the High Drive Bluff trail system, turning what was once a loose, hazardous slope into a sturdy, city-approved access point. Built by Washington Trails Association crews over the summer, the 82-step staircase (complete with retaining walls and handrails) links the end of the public right-of-way just south of 43rd Street and Hatch Road directly into the Bluff. The project was spearheaded by Friends of the Bluff, a volunteer-led nonprofit that’s spent years improving access to the 500-acre natural area above Latah Creek. 

The $65,000 project drew support from city parks, the Spokane Parks Foundation, Bartlett Tree Experts and dozens of community donors but also required about $30,000 from the group’s reserves to finish. High Drive Bluff’s 20-plus miles of trails have long been a magnet for hikers, runners and mountain bikers, yet safe neighborhood access points were limited. The new stairs change that, offering a direct, walk-in route for locals who’d rather skip the car and head straight into the pines. Friends of the Bluff plans to continue improving trail connections as funding allows. Learn more or support their work at Friendsofthebluff.org. 

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Free entertainment all weekend at the Spokane Convention Center includes live traditional Americana music, extreme skateboarding demos on an indoor halfpipe, live snake and other reptile and wild animal presentations, marshmallow roasting in an indoor “campground,” magic shows, a kid-friendly archery activity, crosscut log sawing, arts and crafts, hourly prize drawings, and a Kids’ Adventure Passport activity, where kids get to complete various challenges for an outdoors expo swag bag. Presentations on a variety of outdoor recreation, conservation, and natural history topics happen throughout the weekend. With a ticket purchase, attendees also get into the Spokane Golf Show, which is connected to the outdoor expo. More info at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. 

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