Download Free Nature Wallpaper for your Computer

Decorate your computer with beautiful images from The Nature Conservancy's work around the world with this free wallpaper. Choose from many images of the plants, animals and special places your donations allow us to protect. Follow instructions on the page.

It's Autumn at Silver Creek!!!!

Its fall at the Silver Creek Preserve!! The elk are moving onto the Preserve to seek shelter and fatten up for the winter. The sandhill cranes with their haunting song are gathering and preparing to leave for warmer climate, and the ducks and geese are accumulating and getting ready for a winter at Silver Creek. The beaver are extremely busy this time of the year and a badger was sited last week. We have had sitings of a small blue heron and the birding has been very active as birds fly through on their way south. This will no doubt be another amazing fall-- the fishing has been great, the air is clear and crisp, and the animals are busy preparing for the winter. In the seasons and years to come we hope to continue our protection work at Silver Creek through education, scientific monitoring and restoration, and through building relationships in the community. Come visit the preserve and see for yourselves the wonders of autumn at Silver Creek and learn what we are doing to protect this amazing place.

New Tax Incentives Benefit Easement Holders

Conservation easements offer significant benefits for landowners, and are a powerful force for conservation. Easements allow owners to continue to own the land and continue traditional uses like farming and ranching, while restricting development to protect wildlife habitat, clean water and open space. The Nature Conservancy has protected land through easements in all 50 states, including more than 25,000 acres in Idaho.

New tax incentives are available for private landowners interested in protecting the important conservation values of their lands through the donation of conservation easements.

On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Pension Protection Act of 2006. This legislation contains a two-year provision that in 2006 and 2007 will enhance the tax benefits of protecting your land when you donate a conservation easement.

If you own land with important natural resources, donating a conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy can be one of the smartest, most cost-effective ways to conserve the lands and waters you love.

By donating a conservation easement, you can help fulfill your vision for your property and protect America’s natural heritage—while maintaining private property rights and possibly realizing significant tax benefits.

Summary of the Improved Benefits
For many landowners, the new law enhances the tax benefits of protecting private land. The legislation improves the tax incentive for donating conservation easements by allowing conservation easement donors to:

Deduct up to 50 percent of their adjusted gross income in any year (up from 30 percent);

Deduct up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income if the majority of that income came from farming, ranching or forestry; and

Continue to carry over unused portions of deductions for as long as 15 years (up from 5 years) after the initial year in which the deduction was claimed.

Learn more about conservation easements.

Idaho Chapter Welcomes New Trustees

The Nature Conservancy of Idaho is pleased to welcome the following new members to its board of trustees: Diane Borjessan of Coeur d'Alene, Craig Groves of Bozeman, MT, Tom Praggastis of Ketchum, Sue Richards of Boise, Bill Rogers of Idaho Falls and Penn Siegel of Spokane, WA.

Tomorrow, these new members will spend a full day learning about the chapter's conservation projects and programs around the state. We look forward to working with them to protect Idaho's most special places.

Ernest Hemingway Festival Held in Ketchum

The Sun Valley Ketchum Chamber and Visitors Bureau will hold the Second Annual Ernest Hemingway Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho, September 28 - October 1. The schedule includes notable Hemingway scholars and speakers, including Valerie Hemingway, author of the recent memoir Running With The Bulls.

The festival celebrates Hemingway's time in Idaho and explores some of his haunts.

The Nature Conservancy owns Ernest Hemingway's last home in Ketchum. The Conservancy is currently archiving historic items in the home, and a preserve caretakers is ensuring that necessary repairs are made to best preserve the cultural assets of the home. The home is not open to the public to respect community wishes. A special fundraising dinner to provide necessary funding for the upkeep and ongoing management of the home will be held during the festival, contact the Chamber and Visitors Bureau for more information.

Ernest Hemingway also played an important role at another Nature Conservancy preserve: Silver Creek. Beginning in the 1930's, Hemingway was often invited to the area by the Sun Valley Resort for publicity. He often hunted ducks along Silver Creek, then part of the resort, with other celebrities like Gary Cooper. Ernest's son, Jack, loved spending time at the creek. When the Silver Creek property later came up for sale, it was Jack who contacted The Nature Conservancy to purchase the preserve.

Photo: Ernest Hemingway (third from left) prepares for a hunting outing along Silver Creek with family and friends.

Nature Conservancy apparel

Keep the memories of summertime alive with Nature Conservancy backpacks, hats and t-shirts. You can order all these items on-line.

Nature Conservancy merchandise--including preserve hats and t-shirts--can also be purchased at the Idaho Field Office in Hailey, Silver Creek Preserve, Flat Ranch Preserve and Garden Creek Preserve.

Nature Conservancy Acquires Henry's Lake Conservation Easement

The Nature Conservancy has announced the purchase of a 160-acre conservation easement on a working cattle ranch in the Henry’s Lake area. The easement is the latest in the Conservancy’s Henry’s Lake Ranchland Protection Project, with the goal of protecting wildlife habitat and working ranches in one of the fastest growing areas in the region.

The easement is on the Pearson Ranch, a working cattle ranch located at the foot of the Henry’s Lake Mountains west of Henry’s Lake. The ranch borders the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and provides important habitat for big game species including moose, elk, mule deer and pronghorn. The easement also protects .5 miles of Duck Creek, which is used by Yellowtone cutthroat trout for spawning.

Conservation easements—also commonly referred to as conservation protection agreements—are voluntary, legal agreements that allow the owners to continue traditional uses of the land while protecting wildlife habitat from development in perpetuity.

The easement was funded by the congressionally appropriated Land and Water Conservation Fund and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The Nature Conservancy worked with partners including the Bureau of Land Management and the Teton Regional Land Trust.

The Bureau of Land Management will hold the conservation easement.

“This property is an excellent addition to the conservation work that has already occurred around Henry’s Lake,” says Chet Work, Conservancy spokesperson for East Idaho. “The Nature Conservancy is thankful for the generosity of the Pearson family. Without the foresight of landowners like the Pearsons, much of the land surrounding Henry’s Lake would already be developed. Instead we will have working landscapes and wildlife habitat for future generations to enjoy.”

The Nature Conservancy and its conservation partners have protected more than 4000 acres on 14 ranches through conservation easements and the Henry’s Lake Ranchland Protection Project. The Conservancy also owns the Flat Ranch Preserve on the Henry’s Lake Flats, open to the public for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. The Henry’s Lake area is considered by the Conservancy to be vitally important for the migrations of Yellowstone’s famous wildlife, including moose, pronghorn, elk and grizzly bear.

“The Henry’s Lake area is loved by so many people for its open spaces, rural character and abundant wildlife,” says Work. “Conservation easements help protect what is so special about this place. Easements offer a means to balance the traditional ranching economy, outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat.”

Land Use Summit to be held in Nampa

A summit hosted by the Wildlife Society addressing how land use changes impact farming, ranching, wildlife and outdoor recreation will be held September 14-15 at the Nampa Civic Center. The program offers an excellent overview of the land use changes facing Idaho, and how conservationists and others can protect what we value about Idaho.

The Nature Conservancy is a co-sponsor of this event.

Register on-line or phone (208)-334-2920 for more information.

Read more about the Land Use Summit.

Hunter, Angler, Conservationist

In the latest issue of Nature Conservancy magazine, an article by Hal Herring explores the role of hunters and anglers in the conservation movement in his article "Hunter, Angler, Conservationist."

Idaho Chapter staff and projects are featured. Email your thoughts on the article to Matt Miller. Responses may be featured in a future blog post.

Silver Creek Voices: An Essay by Diane Josephy Peavey

Diane Josephy Peavey

Writer Diane Josephy Peavey reflects on how the success of Silver Creek Preserve is tied to those who live and work along the creek in her essay Silver Creek Voices. You can hear Peavey's weekly radio essays on Boise State Radio, and read more of her essays in her book, Bitterbrush Country, published by Fulcrum.

Owyhee Initiative Public Meetings Set

Idaho's plan for protecting the Owyhee Canyonlands is now in Congress. Learn about the plan, ask questions and share your thoughts.

Open Houses

August 22, 6 - 8 pm. Boise State University Student Union Building, Room Hatch C

August 24, 6 - 8 pm. Albertson College, Katherine Albertson International Center, Room 106

August 29, 6 - 8 pm. Homedale Middle School, Cafeteria

For more information, phone 208-343-8153

Read more about the Owyhee Initiative.

Soldier/ Stapp Preserve

The Silver Creek Preserve staff was led by Ralph Crowley of Thousand Springs Preserve last week in a fencing project on Soldier (Stapp) Creek Preserve. The Stapp Preserve is located at the base of Soldier Mountain, about eight miles north of Fairfield. The preserve encompasses a sensitive wetland area as well as stretches of Soldier Creek, Camas Creek, and Spring Creek. It is home to many beaver, moose, birds, and countless sensitive plant species. The fence helps keep cattle out of the fragile wetlands. The preserve is open to the public and is a great place to birdwatch, look at wildflowers, or just relax.

Photo: Our summer interns, Eric Nomura and Lonny Fritzler, at Soldier/Stapp Preserve. They spent the summer working at Silver Creek Preserve, and head back to Colorado College next week. We thank them for their hard work on behalf of The Nature Conservancy.

"Off the Trail" features Lava Lake

"Off the Trail", a weekly public radio show sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, this week features Conservancy partner Lava Lake Land & Livestock. This sheep ranch includes a substantial conservation program covering 11,000 acres of the ranch and 800,000 acres of grazing allotments.

"Off the Trail" airs every Friday on Boise State Radio at 6:30 am, 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. You can hear it on the following stations: Boise 91.5 FM, Jackpot 91.3 FM, Sun Valley 91.1 FM,
Burley 88.5 FM, New Meadows 93.5 FM, Lake Fork 93.5 FM, McCall 90.7 FM. Or you can listen to "Off the Trail" programs on-line.

Photo: Great Pyrennes dogs at Lava Lake protect sheep from wolves, black bears and other predators. Lava Lake is committed to raising sheep in a "predator friendly" manner, meaning no predators are killed on the ranch.

Idaho Mountain Express: Silver Creek after the Spring Flood

The Mountain Express interviewed anglers last weekend on how the spring flood influenced their fishing. While fishing on Silver Creek is never easy, anglers are still finding good hatches, rising trout and excellent fishing conditions.

Nature Conservancy Honors Preserve History

The Nature Conservancy recently recognized the people responsible for making Silver Creek Preserve possible for the past 30 years, at an event July 27 held on Loving Creek Ranch near the preserve.

The event was held to share stories and thank preserve founders, donors, landowners and others who have made the conservation project a model for stream conservation around the world.

About 100 people attended the event, hosted by the owners of Loving Creek Ranch: John and Dee Fery, Ward and Priscilla Woods, and Mark and Betsy Gates. Fery, who lead Boise Cascade in financial support of the preserve at its beginning in 1976, reflected on the successes at the preserve. It began when the Sun Valley Resort put the ranch up for sale, and Jack Hemingway and others urged The Nature Conservancy to purchase it.

Diane Josephy Peavey read a special essay she wrote for the occasion, which collected the stories of Silver Creek landowners Bud Purdy, John and Elizabeth Stevenson and others.

The Nature Conservancy also announced the launch of an endowment to fund conservation work at Silver Creek. Future plans at the preserve include:

A continued public outreach program with birding walks, watercolor classes, wine tastings, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Expanded monitoring of the creek and restoration of habitat. Already many miles of the creek system have been restored with plantings and stream bank reconstruction. More exciting projects are planned to restore the stream system while continuing to honor and protect existing irrigation and agricultural practices.

Working with the community to create market-based, collaborative solutions to development that impacts Silver Creek’s watershed.

Web access that will allow anyone—whether in Idaho or Argentina—to check on the latest, up-to-the-minute water flows and conditions at Silver Creek.

“We have accomplished a lot in 30 years with the help of so many community members,” says Laura Hubbard, state director for The Nature Conservancy of Idaho. “We celebrated an inspiring evening with many of the people who made this preserve possible. And we look forward to achieving even more in the next 30 years.”

The summer’s anniversary celebration continues with watercolor classes and nature walks at the preserve in August.

A publication celebrating 30 years of Silver Creek and anniversary poster are available free at the Silver Creek visitor’s center and The Nature Conservancy’s office in Hailey.

The last month of summer!!!

Preserve Manager, Dayna Smith, showing the diverse

macroinvertibrates populations found in the aquatic vegetation

during a nature walk.

There are only a few events left at the Silver Creek Preserve this summer!! We have two nature walks offered on August 5th and August 19th. In addition, Wednesday nights at the visitor center are busy with creativity- watercolors and wine on wednesdays!! Come join us and learn how to paint the amazing Silver Creek landscape while relaxing and chatting. These evenings are very casual and a lot of fun. We hope to see you before the summer is over.

Where are the Silver Creek Hatches?

Spring flooding at Silver Creek has caused some short-term changes in the stream, but promises better aquatic conditions in the future.

Anglers have been noticing changes this summer at Silver Creek Preserve, including favorite fishing spots that have changed, different hatches, and less profuse hatches in some areas. Some have even expressed concern over what has happened to change their favorite fishing spot.

Not to worry, say Nature Conservancy staff, who monitor the stream conditions carefully each year. A spring flood did substantially change aspects of the stream, but that holds the potential for even better fishing conditions in the future.

On April 6 and 7 this year, Silver Creek experienced a flood, with measured flows of 460 c.f.s., compared to a normal spring flow of 200 c.f.s. The flooding changed the creek in many places, with areas of gravel exposed in the middle of the creek where channels and vegetation once were, and areas along the bank where silt deposited.

Such changes cause short-term population changes in mayflies and caddis flies, but these aquatic insects typically return rapidly.

The scouring of the stream bottom and the new silt deposits will create better habitat conditions in the future for insects and a variety of other species.

“Silver Creek, like other rivers, is a constantly changing system,” says Dayna Smith, Silver Creek Preserve manager. “A dramatic event like a flood can have profound effects, but in the long term it should mean better wildlife habitat and better fishing.”

The Nature Conservancy is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Silver Creek Preserve this summer. The 850-acre preserve has been recognized a model for community-based conservation. The Conservancy has worked with 22 private landowners along the stream to protect nearly 10,000 acres through conservation easements.

Last year, visitors from all 50 states and 14 countries visited the preserve.

Despite the changes, fishing remains excellent on the preserve. Trico hatches have been profuse in some areas of the stream, with many trout rising. A 33-inch brown trout caught in June has attracted a lot of attention among fly fishers.

“Silver Creek is a special place for so many people, and for so many reasons,” says Smith. “Each year, we learn more about the creek, and Silver Creek always holds surprises. The fact that it can still function as a natural river is a large part of what makes this such a special place.”

Guided Bird Watching , Fly Tying Classes and More On July 29

A Day at Silver Creek
Saturday July 29th
Silver Creek Preserve Visitor Center
No pre-registration required

Join Silver Creek staff for a natural history walk, plant walk, birding tours and fly fishing and fly tying classes, with acitivities running all day long at the preserve. All events are free.

Peppler Begins as Director of Philanthropy

The Nature Conservancy of Idaho has announced the hire of Jan Peppler of Hailey as the organization’s new director of philanthropy. Peppler will lead the Idaho Chapter’s philanthropy team in raising funds for conservation projects throughout the state of Idaho.

Peppler comes to the Conservancy from the Wood River Land Trust, where she served as major gifts officer, the trust’s fundraising leader. She has worked full-time for non-profit organizations for the past 16 years. She has raised money for a variety of causes including HIV/AIDS, human rights, public health issues and orphaned children.

“Jan has such extensive experience with non-profits and her skills and energy will be a tremendous asset to The Nature Conservancy,” says Laura Hubbard, The Nature Conservancy of Idaho’s state director. “She will be a key part of our effort to conserve special places, working lands and wildlife in Idaho.”

Peppler will work from the organization’s field office, located on First Avenue in Hailey.

Peppler’s duties will include leading philanthropy staff to raise funds for conservation projects around Idaho. The organization made its first acquisition in the state 30 years ago, with the purchase of Silver Creek Preserve. Recent projects include the acquisition of a ranch important for sage grouse in eastern Idaho, conservation efforts that benefit working ranches and salmon in the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi valleys and the application of cutting-edge technology to prevent, locate and eradicate non-native weeds in Hells Canyon and the Owyhee Canyonlands.

“I am so excited by the variety and depth of Conservancy projects in Idaho,” says Peppler. “I look forward to working with people who care about Idaho to protect what they value most about this beautiful state.”

The Conservancy is one of the largest conservation organizations in Idaho, with 5200 members from every county in the state. The Idaho Chapter has four offices as well as several preserves open to the public.

“This organization is so collaborative in its approach,” says Peppler. “It is clear to me that every staff member understands the importance of the work they’re doing. They are always eager to talk to the public. It is exciting to work with a group of people who are so energized about their work.”

Peppler spends much of her free time exploring Idaho and hiking with her dog Dixie, a Hurricane Katrina survivor she adopted this year.

The Nature Conservancy's New Boise Office

The Nature Conservancy's Boise Office has a new address:
Banner Bank Building
950 West Bannock Street, Suite 210
Boise, ID 83702

This new building has many sustainable features designed to reduce energy consumption, waste and water usage. It is one of the few buildings in the world that collects stormwater and recycles used water to operate toilets. The building is designed to reduce energy consumption by 65%.

Please stop by and visit us in our new office! We would love to give you a tour.

Visit a Nature Conservancy Project, Wherever You Travel

No, you won't find any alligators on Idaho preserves, but you never know what you might find on your travels to Nature Conservancy projects.

On a recent trip to Louisiana, my mom, dad, wife and I had the chance to visit the Pearl River and Honey Island Swamp. It was a great thrill when our boat pulled into a Nature Conservancy project--the Louisiana Chapter's White Kitchen Preserve.

The Conservancy's work in this area is preserving cypress tupelo wetlands and provides habitat for egrets, herons, raptors, turtles, and of course, alligators. The preserve is used by a number of guide services taking tourists to see the natural beauty of the area:

Wherever you travel, consider a visit to a Nature Conservancy project as part of your visit. Chapter web sites for each state can help you plan your trip. You may find yourself watching cranes near Yellowstone, standing amongst the bison on the tallgrass prairie or counting birds in Arizona.

For an even more in depth view of The Nature Conservancy's projects, the Oregon Chapter's Natural History Excursions offer unique outdoor vacations ranging from birding in Oregon and rafting in Idaho to exploring the Amazon by riverboat and viewing polar bears and musk ox in Greenland.

Several preserves offer lodging on their grounds, and The Nature Conservancy's Conservation Journeys offers itineraries to a number of destinations each year, with upcoming trips to Maine, Alaska, Manitoba and Brazil.

Visiting preserves shows the tremendous success of the Conservancy's work around the world. The next time you plan a trip, include a visit to a conservation project--and see how your investment is paying off.--Matt Miller, blog editor

Statesman Reports on Banner Bank Building

The Idaho Statesman recently reported on the Banner Bank Building in downtown Boise, the new location of the Conservancy's Boise Office. The goal of the developer is to achieve the highest level of environmental certification of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)— an award only 18 buildings in the world have earned so far.

The building is designed to reduce emissions, energy consumption and water use.

The Conservancy's Lou Lunte is quoted in the story.

Fencing Jesse Creek

A team of volunteers recently spent the day fencing Jesse Creek, located on the Frazier property acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 2004. The property is adjacent to the Conservancy's Flat Ranch Preserve, located just 15 miles west of West Yellowstone, near Macks Inn.

The fencing will protect streamside habitat, improving conditions for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, migratory birds and other species.

Silver Creek 30th Anniversary Commemorative Publication Available

A commemorative publication, celebrating 30th anniversary of The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve, is hot off the presses. The publication celebrates Silver Creek through beautiful photography, watercolors and story. Pick up your free copy at the Silver Creek visitor center, valley fly shops or Nature Conservancy offices. You can also order a copy by emailing Matt Miller.

Osprey Tour On Cougar Bay

Join wildlife experts and state and federal natural resource agencies and conservation groups for the 7th annual Osprey Tour on Saturday, July 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce - Natural Resources Committee, this event will feature live and up close osprey viewing. Learn about the life history of these magnificent raptors, as well as other area birds and wildlife and the conservation projects that help sustain the diversity of wildlife in the area.

Boarding for the trip begins at 8:30 a.m. and the boat leaves the dock promptly at 9:00 a.m. For the next two hours the boat will cruise around Cougar and Casco Bays and follow biologists as they band nestling osprey. Bring your camera and binoculars and see nestlings as they are carefully taken out of their nesting boxes right in front of your eyes.

Additional information will be shared by resource experts from the Idaho Fish and Game, Watchable Wildlife Program; The Nature Conservancy; the Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the Audubon Society; and the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase during the tour.

More information: Visit the Coeur d'Alene Chamber's web site or phone 208-415-0115 by July 6

Osprey photo: Tom Munson

The Biggest Fish of the Season at Silver Creek!!!!!!!

This may be the biggest fish caught of the 2006 season!! A 33" brown trout was caught by 2005 Silver Creek intern, Morgan Buckert. She told me where she was, but I'm afraid it is confidential!!!!!

Pahsimeroi River Work Day

The Silver Creek crew joined Mark Davidson, central Idaho progam manager, for a grueling couple of work days this past weekend. We were laying out the fence material for a 600'+ fence that will act to keep cattle away from the Pahsimeroi River and allow the native vegetation to flourish. An irrigation canal and spring fed creek meant carrying the fencing materials over 1000' and through two good sized waterways... ouch. Conservation is hard work, but we had a lot of fun doing it!

Silver Creek Weed Crew

Invasive weeds are a constant threat to our native plant communities and habitats. At the Silver Creek Preserve, we are battling weeds throughout the season using a variety of methods such as spraying, mowing, digging, and planting native plants. Weeds such as Canada thistle, knapweed, and dalmation toadflax, present a constant and intense challenge for us as land managers. Visit the Preserve Visitor Center to find out more about noxious weeds, what to look for, and how to help.

Silver Creek Water Monitoring

Monitoring at the Silver Creek Preserve is in full swing! We are monitoring flows, temperatures, and water chemistry, to name a few. Call if you have any questions or concerns or would like to help out!! Preserve office 788-7910.

Idaho Statesman Features Silver Creek

Outdoor reporter Roger Phillips reports on Silver Creek Preserve's 3oth anniversary in this Idaho Statesman story.

Thousand Springs Preserve is Open!

The Nature Conservancy’s Thousand Springs Preserve is open for the season. Our new volunteer caretakers, Kathy and Bill Berkley, are living on the island. They are happily greeting visitors and hope you come to see the preserve soon.

Kathy and Bill live in northern Idaho in Laclede, just west of Sandpoint. Before retiring, Bill worked as a teacher, small business owner and an appraiser for Bonner County. Kathy is retired as well and spent 21 years working as a teacher in the West Bonner County schools.

They will be staying at the preserve through the Thousand Springs Festival, held the last weekend in September.

The Nature Conservancy purchased the preserve in 1986 to protect the unique springs that form the falls that flow in the Snake River Canyon walls. These springs originate with the rivers that sink underground in the lava of the Craters of the Moon area, and emerge 200 years later here. The crystal-clear water and aquatic vegetation provides habitat for interesting wildlife, including the Shoshone sculpin, a fish species found nowhere else on earth.

The preserve includes Ritter Island, once the site of a state-of-the-art dairy farm. The historic barn and dairy facilities remain and are open to visitors. There are hiking trails around the island. The preserve is consistently one of the best birding spots in the state.

For more information, contact the Berkleys by email or phone (208) 536-6797.

Idaho Chapter Board Meets in Coeur d'Alene

Photo: Elaine French, Idaho Chapter board chair, and Bruce Runnels, the Conservancy's Rocky Mountain Region director

The Idaho Chapter board of trustees meets this Friday and Saturday in Coeur d'Alene. The board will be finalizing the chapter's annual planning process (with our fiscal year beginning July 1) and viewing our projects in North Idaho, including Cougar Bay Preserve and Ball Creek Ranch Preserve.

Many thanks to our trustees for providing the vision, expertise and leadership that makes all of the work reported on this blog possible!

Conservancy Purchases Ranch for Sage Grouse Habitat

Photo courtesy Robert Griffith

The Nature Conservancy has announced the purchase of the Bezold Ranch adjacent to its Crooked Creek Ranch Preserve, located 20 miles northwest of Dubois.

The 1920-acre property, which includes two miles of Crooked Creek, will provide the water necessary for the restoration of sage grouse habitat on the land. The Nature Conservancy plans to identify a conservation buyer—who shares the organization’s conservation goals—to own and manage the property.

The Crooked Creek basin is recognized as one of the most important strongholds for sage grouse in Idaho. Sage grouse use the area throughout the year, including during the spring mating season. The Conservancy has owned and managed the 2600-acre Crooked Creek Ranch Preserve and its nearly 70,000 acres of grazing allotments since 2001.

Working with partners, the Conservancy completed vegetation mapping and ecological survey of the ranch and its allotments. The recently completed survey found a high percentage of the ranch is still in very good ecological condition. A management plan has identified important habitat areas and degraded areas that need to be restored.

The new acquisition will provide an important expansion in this model sage grouse management project.

“This acquisition is the perfect compliment to the existing Crooked Creek Ranch Preserve, says Chet Work, East Idaho land steward for the Conservancy. “The Bezold property connects our existing protected lands to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and will protect valuable wildlife habitat and corridors which previously were not protected.”

The Conservancy plans to continue to focus its protection efforts in the Crooked Creek drainage and neighboring watersheds to connect the extensive habitat within the Idaho National Laboratory to the national forest and important private lands like the Bezold property.

“The Conservancy believes that the preservation of healthy sagebrush steppe habitat will benefit not only sage grouse but also other sagebrush dependent species including pronghorn, sage sparrows, sage thrashers, and Brewer’s sparrows,” says Work.

Silver Creek Summer Projects and Monitoring

(above) Lonny checking well levels at reed canaary grass plots.

We are hard at work already this summer with numerous projects and ongoing monitoring. This week we are watering and montioring the Reed Canary grass experimental project started last summer and also continuing with our bi-monthly water monitoring.

Some other things we are working on:

Stalker Creek Streambank Treatment-
This is a continuation of the stream alteration project that began in 2003 on Stalker Creek. With the help of Intermountain Aquatics (IMA) we are testing the effectiveness of Wetland Sod and various methods of backfilling the existing bio-logs. We will test a variety of treatments and monitor their success over time, specifically to test their resistance to Reed Canary Grass establishment. This year we are planting over 30,000 rush plugs behind the bio-logs as well as over 50 wetland sod mats and hundreds of willow cuttings.

Reed Canary Grass Testing-
This is an experimental project on Reed Canary Grass. We have set up a
variety of test plots on the seasonally flooded benches of Stalker Creek and will be testing various treatments on Reed Canary Grass including various herbicide applications, the installation of wetland plugs, wetland sod, etc. If you notice flagging and stakes around Stalker Creek, these are the sample plots. The goal of this project is to test conventional revegetation and herbicide techniques and alternative techniques to determine the most effective alternative for Reed Canary Grass suppression.

Upland Restoration-
This project is an attempt to restore both upland areas where weeds have
taken over and agricultural land back to native dryland vegetation. Thirteen acres were burnt last fall and then seeded with natives. This summer we are watering the area and spot treating for weeds. This project also includes monitoring for success over time.

Vegetation monitoring-
One of our interns will be setting up several vegetation monitoring transects throughout the preserve this year. This will help us monitor the changes in vegetation communities over time.

Temperature monitoring-
We are setting up temperature monitoring throughout the preserve this year to suppliment and compliment information gathered by Chris James of University of Idaho as well as the information gathered from the thermal imaging project conducted in 2004.

Call us for volunteer information!!

Hemingway's Idaho Legacy

Yesterday's Associated Press story by Keith Ridler reports on the continued interest in Ernest Hemingway in the Ketchum area. The article includes information on The Nature Conservancy's Hemingway and Silver Creek preserves.

North Idaho Member Reception

The Nature Conservancy of Idaho invites you to a membership gathering at the Coeur d'Alene Cellar's winery. Join Idaho trustees, staff and other Conservancy members for wine, hors d'oeuvres and great conversation. Board chair Elaine French and state director Laura Hubbard will provide an update on the Conservancy's work in Idaho and beyond.

when: Thursday, June 15
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

where: Coeur d’Alene Cellars
3890 North Schrieber Way
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815

rsvp: By June 5
preferred by e-mail to idahomembers@tnc.org
or [208] 676-8176

Free Podcast: Private Lives of Wolves

An Idaho couple spent six years living in a tented camp beside a captive wolf pack. The wildlife documentary filmmakers share the most riveting recordings they made during that time. Listen to this and other free podcasts now, or better yet, get a free subscription to Nature Stories, The Nature Conservancy's weekly podcast.

Welcome Members!

Welcome to all our Idaho Chapter members checking out this blog for the first time after reading about it in our summer member newsletter. Check back frequently for all the latest Nature Conservancy news, events, preserve reports and much more.

Please comment and feel free to suggest what you would like to see here. We want this to be your way of keeping in touch with our work around the state. The blog is updated weekly so please bookmark it and look for information on visiting our preserves, fishing reports and free electronic cards and podcasts.

Haven't received your summer member newsletter? Email the editor for a copy, free to our members.

Common Ground: Celebrating Conservation Partnerships

Cooperative partnerships are a cornerstone of The Nature Conservancy’s work around the world. By joining forces with organizations that share our vision we accomplish far more than we could on our own. By finding common ground with communities and developers, ranchers and farmers, government agencies and corporations, we develop creative and practical solutions that balance human needs with conservation goals.

Read a special feature on The Nature Conservancy's web site, including examples of partnerships around the United States.

In Idaho, the Conservancy works with many organizations, government agencies, farmers and ranchers, businesses and individuals around the state, including in the Owyhees (pictured), where the Conservancy is working for the future of its 45 Ranch and participating in the Owyhee Initiative.

Field Report: North Idaho Forest Legacy Tour

A report from the recent Forest Legacy tour in North Idaho by The Nature Conservancy's Steve Grourke. A special thanks to KBFI 1450 AM (Sandpoint and Bonner's Ferry) for covering the event. Photo: Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game habitat biologist Jeff Knetter is interviewed by KBFI radio host JoJo Baker.

On May 31, over twenty state and federal agency representatives and non-profit conservation partners from Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Washington and New Hampshire journeyed to the Lower Kootenai River Valley for the 2006 Forest Service Region 1 & 4 Forest Legacy Program field tour.

As coordinator for the first day of the two-day Legacy tour, the Conservancy brought together a variety of community leaders, resource experts and stakeholders to introduce and educate the trip participants to the valley. Forest Legacy is a US Forest Service sponsored, federally funded program that seeks to protect forestlands that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.

In Idaho, Legacy is administered by the Idaho Department of Lands and to date has helped protect over 54,000 acres in the state. Lands enrolled in the Legacy Program are subject to a perpetual conservation easement that restricts future subdivision and development of the property, while promoting traditional uses such as sustainable forestry, farming, ranching and in some cases public access.

In 2005, the Conservancy supported a Legacy project application by its partners, the Vital Ground Foundation. Vital Ground is working to protect a 1650-acre, third generation family forest that provides economic, cultural, social and natural resource benefits to Boundary County, the State and Intermountain West. The Clifty Mountain Foothills Project, consisting of a North Idaho mixed conifer forest, includes a heritage stand of old-growth cedar and an ornamental and seed-tree nursery, which annually contributes millions of dollars to the local, state and regional economy and is one of the largest employers in the County.

Located in the Conservancy’s Kootenai River “A” conservation area – a priority 1 CA in the Canadian Rockies Ecoregion, the project supports an abundance of federally threatened, endangered and candidate species and state species of concern. The project is immediately adjacent to the Boulder Creek grizzly bear management unit, lynx recovery zone, and a newly established gray wolf pack resides in that same drainage. Three tributaries to the river are located on the project, which support white sturgeon, bull trout, burbot and westslope cutthroat trout.

The tour began with an inspired and impassioned welcome speech by Boundary County Commissioner Dan Dinning. Commissioner Dinning talked about the importance of working farms, ranches and forests in maintaining the rural economy and traditions of the county. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge manager, Dianna Ellis introduced the group to the refuge and detailed how the various habitats on the refuge support migratory avian and terrestrial species as well as aquatic life along Kootenai River riparian areas.

Idaho Fish and Game biologist, Wayne Wakkinen highlighted the variety of unique species that call the valley home, and spoke to the value of private, working forests in support of wide ranging species such as grizzly bear.

A wonderful lunch barbeque was served up by local legend JoJo Baker. In addition to his culinary skills, JoJo is an accomplished auctioneer and radio DJ. Every Wednesday, JoJo hosts a radio interview show on KBFI in Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint and this week’s show was broadcast live from the Conservancy’s Ball Creek Ranch. The show’s lineup included interviews with the Conservancy’s Steve Grourke, Jeff Knetter (IDFG), Di Ellis (USFWS), Mike Gondek (NRCS), Kirk David (IDL) and Deidre Raimo (USFS). After the show (and peach cobbler dessert), the tour continued with presentations on private industrial conservation easements by Jared France of Forest Capital Partners and an overview of the wetland restoration projects on the ranch. At the northern end of the valley, the group discussed more wetland topics as well as non-industrial forest protection projects on and adjacent to the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Vital Ground is working with a fourth generation landowner to protect 150 acres of forest and agricultural land to the south of the WMA and the IDFG and NRCS are continuing to improve the habitat at Boundary Creek and the adjacent Smith Creek WMA. The final stop on the tour was to the Clifty Mountain Foothills project. Under blue skies and temperatures in the low 80s, the group hiked up logging roads and down into a naturally regenerated forest to learn more about the project. From the middle of Clifty the group looked down on the valley to the places they had visited throughout the day. With 180 degree views of this intact and wild landscape, it was easy to see how each existing protected land adds to the collective conservation success of the valley - keep working forests working and provide critical habitat and linkages for native species. --Steve Grourke, North Idaho Program

Brown Drakes are Hatching

Standing along Silver Creek this past weekend, you could feel the anticipation. And then, as if by magic, the large mayflies began hovering over the meadow, and hatching on the creek. Thousands of insects everywhere, and trout smacking the surface to gorge on this bounty.

It's a great natural spectacle, one followed by fly fishers but spectacular for anyone who enjoys wild things and wild places.

The brown drake hatch actually occurs downstream of Silver Creek Preserve, on the Point of Rocks area (owned by Idaho Department of Fish and Game). It is just another of the many natural wonders on this spring creek to celebrate during the preserve's 30th anniversary season.

Nature Conservancy President Salutes the Visionary Leadership of Henry Paulson

Conservancy Board Chairman Nominated as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

Steve McCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy, highlighted the leadership of out-going Nature Conservancy Board Chairman Henry M. Paulson, who today was nominated by President Bush to be the next Secretary of the Treasury.

More about Opening Weekend at Silver Creek

Although the weather was stormy and cold, we had over 200 anglers at the Preserve this Memorial Day weekend. Over the weekend there were many observations and questions about the changes in the creek. On April 6th and 7th this year, Silver Creek experienced a flood-- we measured over 400 c.f.s. above the S-turns!! The flooding changed the creek a lot in places- you will notice areas of gravel exposed in the middle of the creek where vegetation and channels used to be and areas along the banks where silt was deposited. In time, the sediment along the banks should stabilize as vegetation takes hold. Please try and be careful not to walk through these sediment deposits and stir up the silt. It is difficult, because there are so many areas now that hold silt, but if we are patient and careful this flooding that Silver Creek experienced could turn out to be very beneficial to the creek. --Dayna Smith, Silver Creek Preserve manager


Photos: Silt deposits in Silver Creek (top) and the flooding on April 6 and 7, 2006 (bottom).

Silver Creek Starts Summer Season

Despite poor weather, about 85 visitors attended the barbecue at Silver Creek Preserve held on opening day. Some fish were caught, many stories were told and our visitors enjoyed a nice picnic at the visitor's center.



And it's just the beginning of Silver Creek Preserve's 30th anniversary festivities. Stop by the preserve to enjoy some great fishing, birding or hiking, and take in one of the many events held this summer.

Natural History Walks
Natural history walks around the preserve, every other Saturday throughout the summer starting on June 3, 2006. Join our visitor center host, Ruth, a naturalist and plant expert for a tour of the preserve. She will point out interesting plants, talk about the geology of the area, point out birds and wildflowers, explain the different processes of a spring fed creek, to name a few. This is a great way to be introduced to the area or to learn more about your backyard!!
9am- 12am June 17, July 8, July 22, August 5, August 19

Silver Creek Art Series
$15/ each or $50 for all four art and writing events. Call ahead to register.
■ Wednesday, June 14 5:30-8:00 p.m. Paper making with native plants and wildflowers.
■ Wednesday, June 21 5:30-8:00p.m. Watercolors. Come sit on the deck of the visitor center, learn how to use watercolors, and try and paint the amazing Silver Creek landscape!
■ Wednesday, June 28 5:30-8:00p.m. Landscape drawing with colored pencil. Learn about the versatility of colored pencil while enjoying the Silver Creek environment!
■ Wednesday, June 28 10am-2 p.m. ‘Writing the Landscape’ a nature writing exploration with author Diane Peavey.

Silver Creek Plant Series
Wednesday, June 7 5:30-7:30p.m
Weed night with University of Idaho weed extension agent, Ron Thaimert. Ron will talk about weeds, new weed threats, and ways to combat the spread of weeds. We will also talk about alternatives to herbicides and innovative techniques for battling weeds.
Saturday, June 10th 9a.m. -12:00
Plant and plant biology walk (and wildflowers, too!). Join Ruth, our on-site plant expert on a walk around the preserve learning about the unique plant communities of Silver Creek.

July
Saturday July 29th- ‘ A Day at Silver Creek’
Join the Silver Creek staff for a Natural history walk, a plant walk, Bird watching tours, fly-fishing classes, and fly-tying classes. Spend the day with us at Silver Creek!

August
Wednesday evenings- 5:30-8:00 p.m. Watercolors-- Join the preserve manager and volunteers for an evening of painting on the
visitor center deck. Very casual, free, everyone is welcome.

There are many other events throughout the summer. Please call 788-7910 for additional activities and events.

Opening Day Festivities at Flat Ranch Preserve

Flat Ranch Preserve will offer a barbecue and fly tying demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday, May 27, opening day of fishing season.

Located just 15 miles west of West Yellowstone, Flat Ranch is perfect place to stop on your next trip to Yellowstone National Park or the Henry's Fork.

The Nature Conservancy's Chet Work is predicting the best fishing in several years on Flat Ranch. The preserve is a good place to see wildlife like pronghorn, sandhill crane, curlew and osprey. In the summer, wildflower displays can be excellent.

Flat Ranch is located directly off Highway 20, just north of Macks Inn.

The preserve is part of the Conservancy's efforts to protect important wildlife habitat in the Henry's Lake area. We are working with area ranchers on conservation easements, which protect both the rural economy and wildlife migration paths used by elk, moose, pronghorn and mule deer.

Photo by Chet Work

Opening Day at Silver Creek Preserve!

The Silver Creek Preserve is open for fishing on Saturday May 27th! We look forward to seeing you this summer. Stop by the visitor center prior to your visit, sign in, and hear about all the great events going on at the Preserve this summer. It is the Preserve's 30th anniversary so we will be celebrating!
May 27th, opening day, we will have a b-b-q from 3:30-7:00 pm. Come by and meet the Silver Creek staff. Everyone is welcome.

Restoration Work at Silver Creek: A Tattered Fly Report

The Tattered Fly, a blog by Idaho fly fisher and conservationist Dan Bachman, reports on this weekend's restoration work at Silver Creek Preserve. Volunteers helped shovel silt and planting bulrush plugs on a tributary of Silver Creek.

The Tattered Fly includes many great photos of the preserve and volunteer work. The preserve hosts many volunteer work days throughout the summer; contact Dayna Smith to sign up.

Photo courtesy of Dan Bachman.

Reports from the Field: Kootenai Days

Steve Grourke of The Nature Conservancy's North Idaho office sends this report from Kootenai Field Days:

We asked them to join us in the field – and they did not disappoint! From May 12-13, The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge hosted the inaugural Kootenai Field Days in Bonners Ferry. More than 200 participants from Idaho, Montana, Washington and Canada attended a series of events that addressed cultural, historical and natural resource-related issues in the valley.

Justin Petty, Inland Northwest land steward for the Conservancy, kicked the festivities off by hosting a weed awareness day at the Ball Creek Ranch. Natural resource experts from the Bureau of Land Management, Bonner and Boundary County noxious weeds department, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Natural Resources Conservation Services spoke to a variety of issues from the current state and effects of weeds on the valley to native and introduced biological controls that help manage these invaders. Participants learned from “weed warriors” how to manage weeds in agricultural lands, along riparian areas and through the development and implementation of integrated weed management plans. At the end of the day, a long-time valley resident commented that “This was great! We should do this again next year.” Plans are already in the works.

On Friday night the Refuge hosted a special program – From Contact to Present: The history of the Kootenai Valley. Through the lens of explorer, entrepreneur and cartographer, David Thompson, author Jack Nisbet addressed a packed crowd of more than 85 people at the refuge environmental education center. Speaking to the historical travels of Thompson and his contact with the native tribes, Nisbet painted a picture of the landscape as it existed almost 200 years ago. From tens of thousands of acres of permanent and seasonal wetlands to “back lakes caused by the overflowing of the river,” the valley of 1808 was dramatically different than today. As US Forest Service archeologist Tom Sandberg later pointed out during the presentation, half of the 50,000 –acre valley was considered wetlands in 1890, yet by the 1960s less than 3,000 wetland acres existed. Fortunately, because of the work of the Conservancy, USFWS and its partners the balance of nature is being restored. Today, the valley is home to almost 10,000 wetland acres and migratory and resident bird species again have suitable breeding habitat and cover to survive.

Yet talking about the river and being on the river are two entirely different things. On Saturday, May 13, the 198th anniversary of Thompson’s travel down the river, 35 people participated in a 13-mile historic paddle from Deep Creek to Trout Creek. Led by Jack Nisbet, the Conservancy’s Inland Northwest conservation manager, Robyn Miller and refuge manager, Dianna Ellis, the group set off under sunny skies and with high expectations. Before even launching the armada of canoes and kayaks, the group gasped in awe and wonder seeing a moose swim from river left to right. Along the way the flora and fauna of the river offered photo ops and storied moments for the eager paddlers. From tales of the survival and sustainability of ancient sturgeon to the need to continue riparian and wetland restoration along and within the valley, the group learned about the history of the river as they traveled past the present day Refuge and Ball Creek Ranch.
Upon landing at their final destination, the paddlers were welcomed by the booming sound of black powder and the smell of a campfire set by flint and steel. The Northwest Brigade of the American Mountain Men opened up their spring encampment which they established days before along the banks of the river and adjacent to the recently restored Ball Creek Ranch wetlands. The sights, sounds and smells brought the whole weekend full circle and caused the group to reflect.

Through the lens of Thompson’s first written accounts of the Kootenai we see a native, natural and fully functioning landscape. With sound science, partnership and cooperation between public, private and tribal stakeholders, the Conservancy will continue to restore the valley’s ecological values for future generations of humans and wildlife alike.

Boise Foothills Campfire Programs Begin Tomorrow

Backyard wildlife habitats, predators of the Boise Front and wildland fires are among the topics to be discussed during this season's evening Campfire Programs at the Foothills Learning Center. The free programs begin at 7 p.m. at the Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Ridge Road, located in Hulls Gulch Reserve. Programs begin on May 16 and run throughout the summer.

The Nature Conservancy helped fund this center's interpretive features, as part of its work in the Boise Foothills.

"Off the Trail" features Henry's Lake

Today on Boise State Radio's "Off the Trail," sponsored in part by The Nature Conservancy, reporter Jyl Hoyt goes to Henry's Lake, an area where the Conservancy has worked with ranchers on conservation easements that protect their livelihood and migration paths for Yellowstone's famous wildlife like elk, mule deer, pronghorn and moose.

"Off the Trail" can be on Boise State Radio every Friday on Boise 91.5 FM, Jackpot 91.3 FM, Sun Valley/Ketchum/Hailey 91.1 FM, Burley 88.5 FM, New Meadows 93.5 FM, Lake Fork 93.5 FM and McCall 90.7 FM.

Out of the coverage area? You can still listen to free podcasts of all "Off the Trail" shows. Photo courtesy S. Vanslow.

International Migratory Bird Day

From the goldfinches on your feeder to the pelicans on the Snake River, from the ducks on every wetland to the burrowing owls in the sagebrush desert, the signs of the spring migration are everywhere to be seen.

International Migratory Bird Day celebrates the journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America.

The Nature Conservancy of Idaho is working to conserve migratory bird habitat, from the Owyhees to the Kootenai River, from Henry's Lake to Silver Creek.

May is a great time to see some of these birds at our preserves. At Silver Creek Preserve, waterfowl like cinnamon teal, widgeons and coots are everywhere, yellow-rumped warblers hop along the brush, harrier hawks glide overhead and red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds fill the air with their calls. Be sure to bring a Silver Creek bird list to record your sightings.

At Flat Ranch Preserve, long-billed curlews, ospreys and sandhill cranes can regularly be spotted. In the summer months, a spotting scope is available at the visitor's center.

Waterfowl of many species are really using the wetlands at Ball Creek Ranch Preserve and nearby Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. These North Idaho wetlands in the Kootenai Valley provide an important migratory link with the Creston Wetlands in British Columbia.

Happy birding!

Opinion: Idaho Has New Tools To Control Invasive Species

The Idaho Chapter's Bas Hargrove recognizes Idaho's leadership in controlling noxious weeds in today's Idaho Statesman.

Report From the Field: Ball Creek Ranch

Justin Petty, The Nature Conservancy's North Idaho land steward, sends this field report from Ball Creek Ranch Preserve:

Hello Folks-

The last weekend in April we had 11 volunteers from the Conservation Biology Club at the University of Idaho come to Ball Creek Ranch to help plants trees and shrubs in the WRP wetlands. In 2 days they were able to get close to 2000 plants in the ground. We had a lot of fun, and they have expressed a desire to come back in the fall to help with other projects. Halleluiah for volunteers! The birds were grateful too........they were landing in the trees as quick as we could unload them, and before we could even get them planted.




This Friday we will be hosting a Weed Awareness Day at Ball Creek Ranch. The program is as follows:

Mike Gondek w/ NRCS : Seeding following herbicide applications, NRCS programs available to private landowners
Duke Guthrie w/ Boundary County Weed Control & Brad Bluemer w/ Bonner County Weed Control : Boundary County Noxious Weeds and New Invaders, County assistance programs available to private landowners
Scott Soults w/ The Kootenai Tribe : Developing a plan for good pasture management
Doug Evans w/ BLM : Biological control of weeds
Jeff Knetter w/ IDF&G : Integrated Weed Mgt.

These discussions will be followed by a field tour of Ball Creek Ranch, where we'll be identifying weeds, showing likely places to find certain species, and discussing the corresponding treatment methods.

The program will last from 9am to noon and will conclude with a catered lunch. It should be a good time and provide useful information for those in attendance.

Justin

A Mother's Day Gift

Give a gift of hope this Mother's Day: A gift membership to The Nature Conservancy.

Spokesman Review features Ball Creek Ranch

Sunday's Spokane Spokesman-Review featured an article by outdoor writer Rich Landers on The Nature Conservancy's Ball Creek Ranch Preserve, titled "Wet and Wild." As the story reports, the wetlands are filling and the waterfowl are taking full use of them on this preserve, open to the public. The Spokesman-Review also covered the full schedule for the upcoming Kootenai Field Days. Photo by Keith Lazelle.

Silver Creek Weather

Check the weather at Silver Creek Preserve, updated hourly on this independent web site.

The site will include hatch charts and water conditions beginning with the opening of fishing season, May 27.

Bookmark this blog for weekly fishing reports, free classes and more at Silver Creek Preserve this summer.

Zumwalt Prairie Preserve Expands

The Nature Conservancy's Oregon Chapter recently announced the expansion of its Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in northeast Oregon.

Zumwalt Prairie, located near Enterprise, is considered the most extensive intact swath of native bunchgrass prairie in North America. It hosts one of the densest concentrations of breeding birds of prey on the continent, including golden eagles, ferruginous hawks and other raptors that raise their young on abundant ground squirrels thriving among the deep-soiled prairie grasses.

The preserve, with the expansion will now encompass 33,000 acres, the largest privately owned nature preserve in Oregon.

There is a public access trail on the preserve.

North Idaho Member Reception

The Nature Conservancy of Idaho invites you to a membership gathering at the Coeur d'Alene Cellar's winery. Join Idaho trustees, staff and other Conservancy members for wine, hors d'oeuvres and great conversation. Board chair Elaine French and state director Laura Hubbard will provide an update on the Conservancy's work in Idaho and beyond.

when: Thursday, June 15
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

where: Coeur d’Alene Cellars
3890 North Schrieber Way
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815

rsvp: By June 5
preferred by e-mail to
idahomembers@tnc.org
or [208] 676-8176

Into Hells Canyon

Last week, the first of The Nature Conservancy's seasonal weed teams headed afield in western Idaho, to protect Hells Canyon from non-native weeds. These teams are utilizing the latest technology to detect, prevent, map and control weeds in this rugged landscape.

The Conservancy will again be employing digital aerial sketch mapping, which allows staff to map weeds via computer from a helicopter.

This year, seasonal teams lead by West Idaho conservation manager Art Talsma and West Idaho land steward Mike Atchison will be on the ground in Hells Canyon, Garden Creek Ranch Preserve, the Owyhees and other areas of western Idaho.

The team's notes and photos from the field will appear on the blog throughout the summer. Check back frequently.

Photos by Mike Atchison.

News: Nature Conservancy Opposes Forest Service Sale

Conservancy finds that sale could threaten habitat for endangered wildlife

The Nature Conservancy, the world’s leading conservation organization, today submitted comments to the U.S. Forest Service expressing strong opposition to the proposed sale of 200,000 acres of Forest Service lands that had been recommended in President Bush’s 2007 budget proposal.

In a letter to the Forest Service, Conservancy President and CEO Steve McCormick said that the proposed sales could seriously harm wildlife and wild lands that the Conservancy and its partners are striving to conserve, including habitat for rare plant and animal species.

McCormick also opposed the sale because local governments, conservation organizations and private landowners were not given an opportunity to participate in the selection of the parcels and because revenue from the sales would be diverted to balance next year’s budget, rather than used to protect other lands for future generations.

“These lands are important public resources, and they should not be viewed as a disposable asset to finance unrelated, current obligations,” the letter said. “Land sales and land exchanges should be designed to enhance – not harm – the nation’s public lands heritage.”

The sale of Forest Service lands in 35 states was proposed as a method to pay for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, also known as the County Payments program. The Conservancy supports the County Payments program, but believes it should be paid for with general revenues.

In response to the land sale proposal, Conservancy field offices have reviewed hundreds of the land tracts nominated for sale and determined that a substantial portion of these lands provide important habitat for rare species, migratory corridors for wide-ranging birds and mammals and opportunities to coordinate public and private conservation efforts at the landscape scale.

Many of the tracts also include significant cultural sites or are important to recreational users of the national forests.

“Absent a careful, science-based analysis of individual tracts proposed for sale, the Forest Service risks harm to its conservation mission. Many of the parcels identified in the current proposal provide important conservation values and sale of these parcels would result in harm to those values,” the letter said. “In some cases, while parcels appear to be small or isolated, they have significant conservation value, and the harm resulting from their sale would extend beyond the perimeters of the individual tracts.”

The letter was submitted as part of the Forest Service’s public comment period on the sale, which closes on May 1.