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Natural Resources

Program Contact: Mike Jensen
(509) 447-6452 • mike.jensen@wsu.edu

Our WSU Natural Resources programming is proud to partner with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Defenders of Wildlife to educate residents and visitors on our land and animals. We have distributed over 250 canisters of bear spray in 2020 and 2021, and held classes focused on how to safely enjoy life and recreation alongside wild animals.

Because of Pend Oreille County’s abundance of undeveloped USFS and Private Lands, a large variety of wildlife call this area home. Some of the common mammals are badgers, beavers, bears, cougars, deer, elk, moose, wolves, and river otters. Check out the complete list on Nature Mapping- Pend Oreille County.

WSU Pend Oreille Extension offers demonstrations for Bear Aware: Using Bear Spray Safely. Please call (509) 447-2401 for a listing of our next in-person event demonstrations.

Our program provides objective, research-based education and resources for owners of forested property as well as the general public. We offer classes, workshops, and field days as well as online publications, training, and videos to help you achieve your goals as a forest owner. We invite you to browse the common topics and if you have questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are you prepared? Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now – before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area.

This region has always been defined by water. A broad realm of forest and mountain, loosely bounded on the West and South by the Pend Oreille River, the East by Lake Pend Oreille and the North by the Columbia and Kootenai Rivers.

The Pend Oreille River Water Trail covers 70 miles of the Pend Oreille River.  The Water Trail begins in Oldtown, ID, then follows the river north through Pend Oreille County, in Northeastern Washington, all the way up to Boundary Dam, just one mile shy of Southeastern British Columbia, Canada.