Spokane, Wash.

Over the past year, Friends of the Bluff partnered with Healing Hooves to bring a herd of about 200 goats to Spokane’s High Drive Bluff. This program lessens fire risk on the bluff by reducing brush and tree sapling density, while helping with noxious weeds and other invasive plants.

Well managed livestock is one of the most sustainable ways to address these needs while regenerating healthy soil and storing carbon—especially on steep terrain.

The goats range in age from two months to 8 years old and typically graze about an acre a day. Once they consume the desired amount of vegetation in a particular area, the shepherd moves the fencing and releases the goats into their new buffet.

To learn more about the project or support next year’s efforts, visit Friendsofthebluff.org/goatgrazing.

For more stories about recreation and other news about Spokane’s High Drive Bluff, visit the OTO archives.

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Diana Roberts: Steward and Friend of the Bluff

Submitted by The Friends of the Bluff

Diana Roberts always cared deeply for the land and its inhabitants. As a young girl on a tree farm in Zimbabwe she learned agriculture from her father. While working as an agronomist with Washington State University, she shared her knowledge with area farmers. In 2010, her love of the High Drive Bluff in Spokane led her to start the non-profit organization, Friends of the Bluff. 

Roberts’ passion and dedication provided the kind of spark that is needed to sustain a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Over the past 10 years, the Friends of the Bluff have organized trail maintenance, fire suppression, invasive plant management, tree planting, park cleanup, and naturalist projects and events. The High Drive Bluff would not be what it is today without her wisdom and caring spirit.  

Roberts recruited the group’s original board of directors and hosted the meetings, where her dogs would always greet everyone at the door. These lucky animals not only attended board meetings and hiked the bluff, they were also skijoring and paddle boarding companions. Roberts even had her pets certified for visits to hospices so that they could provide comfort to the residents. Her love and compassion truly extended to all living things. 

Sadly, Roberts passed away in March, but she left a legacy of people organized and educated to carry on her work. She was truly one-of-a kind, and will be missed dearly. Whether you knew her personally or not, if you have been on the Bluff, you have felt her presence. Next time you find yourself on Spokane’s High Drive Bluff, smile at your fellow trail users while you’re out there. Say hello. Diana would have liked that. 

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