A bull moose passing through Gary Verbrugge’s yard – credit, supplied by Verbrugge to the Spokesman-Review
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.
Man Gathers Up Family Acres Home to Moose and Mountain Lion and Returns Them to Indian Tribe
Early in May, GNN reported how Australian and US citizens have amassed 85 million acres of private land specifically for conservation.
From the Spokesman-Review comes the story of a man in Washington state who’s about to make it 85,000,885 by donating his own patch to the Kalispel Indian Tribe.
Having spent his whole working life in urban areas during a 30-year career with the Social Security Administration, Gary Verbrugge longed for the natural world he remembered from his youth, where he lived on land his relatives bought after moving from Iowa in the early 20th century.
After taking early retirement to help with his parents’ ailing health, he bought more land and a neighbor’s cabin and went home to see what had happened to his father and uncles’ forest.
It turns out that the forester they entrusted with managing their land was more interested in making money from timber sales than in ensuring the health of the woodland.
A year later, in 2007, Verbrugge partnered with the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy to turn 605 wooded acres he owned into a conservation easement. In 2025, he bought another 280 acres directly abutting his own land from his nieces and nephews, and added them to the package.
The idea, explained by the INLC’s conservation director, Michael Crabtree, is that the Conservancy acts “kind of like the third party that makes sure the rules are being followed,” on behalf of the owner, who has stipulated he wants to see the land preserved in a natural state.
Though Verbrugge, who lives alone at 72 years old in the forest, has no heirs to pass the property to, he found a suitable inheritor in the Kalispel Indians, who said they would carry the responsibility of keeping the land in good health forward with “profound gratitude.”
As to the land itself, the Little Spokane River runs through it, along with several creeks home to bull trout. In a subdivided and developed area, Verbrugge’s woodland is a haven for elk, deer, moose, wolves, cougar, bobcat, and eagles.
“To see the wildlife, where they’re not aggressive, they’re not scared, they’re just at home, is the reward,” Verbrugge told the Spokesman-Review, who enjoys catching glimpses of his sylvan neighbors with trail cams.
Today’s good news story points out that individuals with a heart can make a difference in preserving valuable natural resources. Today’s JohnKu talks about individual effort in conservation. I hope you have a restful weekend.
Effort by John W. Howell © 2026
It doesn’t take much,
To help the Earth get healthy . . .
Recycle does work.
Fiction Favorites 
Wish more wilderness was protected like this. Feels like such thoughts and actions are hard to find these days.
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It does feel that way for sure. Thanks, Charles.
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Another amazing story John… I think it is wonderful that the land and forest will revert to a tribe whose own lands were taken. As you say individuals with a heart can make a difference in this world and not just in the natural one. hugsx
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Well said, Sally. Thank you. 😊
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This news provides such beautiful smiles for the hearts and faces of so many!
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Thank you, Annette. 😀
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Wow. What a wonderful story this is. Keeping the land in good health–what more could you ask for?
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Not much more, Lois. Thank you
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What an awesome story and a brilliant idea to give the land to the Kalispel Indians. They will do a a good job managing the land. I’d love to see more of this. Thanks for this uplifting piece, John.
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Thank you for adding your support to the concept, Noelle. 😊
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Very inspiring story…gives real meaning to the phrase, “Moose On The Loose” 🐳
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Thank you, Jim. Loved the comment. 😄
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I remember the previous post. Another excellent person and a super good news post.
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I agree, Robbie. Thank you. 😁
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It’s good to know that land will be protected and looked after.
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It is Esther. Thank you 😊
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Love that feel good story!!!
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I’m so glad Pat. 😁
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I love what he’s doing here. I’d love to go see all the wildlife he talked about being there! WOW!
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Great share, John. How wonderful that land will be given back to a tribe. Your Johnku is perfect “it doesn’t take much”. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I agree with you. 🤗
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Gary Verbrugge is certainly a charitable soul. Without heirs using what he has to preserve is a great thing to do.
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I think so
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I’m always glad to see people committed to conserving land in its natural state.
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Me too. Thanks, Liz
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Gary Verbrugge did some wonderful things, John, and it’s good to learn about it. I’m sure glad you posted it.
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I agree, Tim. Thank you. 😊
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😊
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😊
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LOVE this news story! It’s a little Yellowstone-ish without those midnight trips to the “Train Station.” Conservation easements make my heart go pitter-patter with happiness, especially when the land returns to original owners. 💙
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I loved the Yellowstone reference, Monika. Yes, it is like that without the train station stop. Are you watching Dutton Ranch?
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😊 yes I totally am. What a terrific cast. Too bad bad luck seems to have followed the Dutton family down to Texas.
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I know, right? I hope Beth and Rip stay on top of things.
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Fingers crossed.
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😀
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This is a fabulous share, John. I love when land is returned to it’s rightful place and in the proper hands.
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Yeah, it is a great story. Thanks, Dale
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Perfect birthday post 😉
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It was. 😊
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Very cool story.
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It is. 😀
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