Brief Thoughts on Buying Local

At last night's entertaining Ignite Boise 2, a recurring theme was the importance of thinking and buying local. Several presenters suggested the current economy provides an opportunity to return to a more local economy. They advocated bartering, growing your own food and buying from Idaho businesses.

Of course, eating (and buying) local has become trendy--but often, would-be "locavores" get excited about buying local foods, but then lose steam when it seems too difficult or expensive.

I love Idaho foods, and it's not unusual for our meals to be 100% local. The quality and variety available is amazing.

But I also recognize that there are some common pitfalls when consumers start out with buying local.

Here are some tips for beginning locavores that will help you avoid those pitfalls.

1. Don't start at 100%. There's a common belief that if you're eating local, you have to commit 100%. But that is difficult, and makes what should be fun stressful. Buying 10% of your food from local farmers and producers makes a huge difference. Start small.

2. Don't get hung up on the details. Some folks decide they want to make a local meal, but then get caught up on some small ingredient, like salt. You won't find locally produced Idaho salt. And it doesn't matter. Trade has been a part of humanity for millenia and that's not going to change. While there is not Idaho salt, we can buy excellent Idaho lamb, Idaho potatoes, Idaho duck eggs and many other products.

3. Try new recipes. One of the real pleasures of eating local is trying new foods. Vary up your recipes and incorporate kale, or blue potatoes, or fava beans. You'll soon realize there's more actual diversity at the farmer's market than crammed into all those aisles at the supermarket.

4. Enjoy it. Buying local isn't doctrine. Don't approach it as a set of rules you must follow. Instead, find high-quality food and enjoy it. Rediscover what a tomato is supposed to taste like. Try grilling grass-fed beef. Stroll around a farmer's market. Plant your own veggies.

In short have fun--while benefiting Idaho's economy, rural heritage and wildlife habitat.--Matt Miller

Summer Reading

Looking for a good summer read? Here are some great conservation and nature books you may want to pack along on your next outing. When wolves returned to Yellowstone after being absent for decades, how did prey react? Did elk and moose know wolves were dangerous, or did they have to relearn fear? Questions like these form the premise for Joel Berger's The Better To Eat You With: Fear in the Animal World. Berger, a biologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, examines predator-prey relationships around the world and reveals some surprising insights. Bison, for instance, show no concern when they hear wolves or humans, but become alert when they hear the roar of lions--quite possibly an innate response left over from the time when lions roamed the North American continent. Berger's review of the research leads him to wonder what is lost for prey species--and whole landscapes--when they're missing large predators.

John Frederick Walker provides an excellent overview of the ivory trade and its implications for elephant conservation in Ivory's Ghosts: The White Gold of History and the Fate of Elephants. Humans have long been fascinated with the aesthetic properties of ivory, a fascination that led to the decimation of elephant herds in Africa and Asia. That changed with a ban on ivory in the early '90s, but Walker wonders: Is an ivory ban really benefiting elephants? A seasoned reporter, Walker thoroughly covers the extremely complex web of "ivory politics" and avoids the too-easy answers that many well-meaning conservationists propose. Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals by Richard Conniff recounts the author's wildlife travels both near--examing hair mites that dwell on his (and your) scalp under a microscope--and far--radio-tracking wild dogs in Botswana. The book is a nice mix of humorous pieces and serious conservation reporting. He visits with a biologist who has developed a pain index (based on personal experience) for stinging insects, surveys ant populations in Madagascar, and, yes, swims with piranhas at feeding time.

I'm often bothered that much of what passes for "nature writing" is too often somber, preachy or pseudo-philosophical, so it's refreshing to read a book that is as entertaining as Bill Schutt's Dark Banquet: Blood and the Curious Lives of Blood Feeding Creatures. I find myself repeating strange stories from this book way too often. Schutt, a biologist, delves into the evolution and bizarre behaviors of those species that feed on blood. You'll encounter vampire bats that mimic chicks so they can get close to hens (and then feast), the reasons why bed bugs are spreading to a hotel near you and the near-mythic (and exaggerated) feeding habits of the candiru (you'll have to look this one up on your own). My vote for the most fun and best-written "nature book" of the past several years. --Matt Miller

"Green" Grilling

It looks to be a beautiful summer weekend throughout much of Idaho--the perfect weather for a backyard barbecue or picnic.

Actually, across the country, some 60 million people will barbecue this summer. As Darci Palmquist points out on nature.org, this has considerable environmental consequences: These millions of BBQs release some 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, burn the equivalent of 2,300 acres of forest and consume the same amount of energy as the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, uses in a year.

But there are easy ways to make your grilling more green. Check out the The Nature Conservancy's ten tips for an eco-friendly barbecue.

So grill up some local, Idaho-produced food, grab an organic beverage and have a great summer weekend.--Matt Miller

Photo courtesy Alderspring Ranch, a grass-fed, organic beef ranch that works with the Conservancy on salmon conservation in Idaho's Pahsimeroi Valley.

July Activities at Flat Ranch Preserve

The Nature Conservancy's Flat Ranch Preserve offers a variety of summer activities and lectures at the preserve's visitor center.

The preserve is located just off Highway 20 in Macks Inn, about 15 miles west of West Yellowstone.

All events are free to the public. For more information, phone (208) 558-7629 or email Flat Ranch intern Stevenson Bunn.

The following is a list of upcoming activities in July. Check back soon for August's schedule.

1 pm Saturday, July 11 - Flat Ranch Canoe Trip. Canoe the Henry's Lake Outlet through the preserve. Staff will lead the trip while offering some history, wildlife viewing and maybe some laughs. Seats are limited, so contact staff to reserve your space today.

10 am Saturday, July 18 - Bear Safety and Food Storage. Join bear education specialist Lynn Dickerson of Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service for an informative program on how to stay safe in bear country. Great program for kids.

7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 - Leave No Trace Camping. Brandon Burke demonstrates the essential and proper techniques of low-impact camping and keeping Idaho's wildlife wild. Great program for kids.

10 a.m. Saturday, July 25 - Weed Management with Goats. Come join the Goat Mountain Ranch for a demonstration on the use of goats for weed management.

7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 - Wolverines. Bon Inman, director of the Greater Yellowstone Wolverine Program, presents a look into the lives of this intriguing and elusive wilderness animal. Great program for kids.

Silver Creek: A Guide's Perspective

Fly fishing guide Greg Loomis has spent more than 20 years figuring out the wary trout on Silver Creek. This month on nature.org/Idaho, Greg offers his perspective on the creek and gives an angling primer for those heading to the preserve. Read more.

And Greg has done more than fish the creek. In 2003, he realized that there is not one readily accessible resource for extensive research completed at Silver Creek, research that covers a span of thirty years.

He created a web site, SaveSilverCreek.com, a comprehensive, user-friendly web site featuring everything from water temperature statistics to brown trout studies.

"A lot of people make guesses about the creek, and I wanted to provide unbiased factual information," Greg says. "I don't have editorials or interpretations. I just put up the sutdies so that everyone can have the facts."

It is conservationists like Greg Loomis who make Silver Creek a conservation success. Check out his web site and expand your own knowledge of Silver Creek. --Matt Miller

45 Ranch: Restoring an Owyhee Wildlife Oasis

“Wetlands” and “desert”: For most people, these are two words that don't go together.

However, wetlands along desert rivers are incredibly important for wildlife: for water, for fresh forage, for a place to escape the often harsh weather on canyon rims.

On the 45 Ranch, set deep in one of the most remote corners of the Owyhee Canyonlands of southwestern Idaho, a new restoration project is returning wetlands to wildlife.

Conservation buyers Charles Conn and Dennis Fitzpatrick bought the ranch from The Nature Conservancy in 2005, with the goal of funding conservation and restoration work on the ranch.

“The owners had a vision to return the river bottom on their ranch to wetlands,” says Art Talsma, the Conservancy’s director of stewardship. “It’s one of the largest river bottoms along the Owyhee River, so it’s difficult to overstate how important it is to wildlife.”

The owners and the Conservancy worked with GeoEngineers, a Boise firm specializing in river restoration, to restore 26 acres of wetlands and 45 acres of native grasses to the river bottom. Royce Construction handled the on-the-ground developments. The project has already garnered awards for its engineering, including recognition by the American Council of Engineering Companies and the Owyhee Conservation District.

What does this mean for conservation?

For the river (pictured above), it means the opportunity to behave more like a wild river—including moving from its channel and periodically flooding.

For bighorn sheep, mule deer and sage grouse, it means a place to rest, to feed, to hide and to take cover from harsh weather.

For waterfowl and other birds, the wetlands mean a place to rest in the middle of the harsh desert on a long migration.

For rafters, it means a quieter float. Previously, the agricultural field was irrigated with a diesel generator, which also generated unwelcome noise for rafters on one of the country’s most remote rivers. The wetlands project is watered solely through gravity and now saves energy, too.

“We are so happy with the progress that has been made on this project with our partners. It really is a wildlife haven,” says co-owner Dennis Fitzpatrick. “The conservation here reflects the same care and stewardship for the Owyhee lands as the recent passage of federal legislation protecting this special part of the state.”

Flat Ranch Flowers

A dramatic field of wildflowers greets visitors to The Nature Conservancy's Flat Ranch Preserve, near Macks Inn.

Flat Ranch makes a perfect stop if you're heading to Yellowstone National Park this summer: The preserve is just 15 miles west of West Yellowstone. It is right off Highway 20 and is well marked.

In addition to stunning wildflower displays, you will likely see pronghorns, sandhill cranes, ospreys and other wildlife.

The preserve is free to visit. A visitor center has informational displays and a spotting scope on the front porch to assist in wildlife viewing.

Every Wednesday, and most Saturdays, Flat Ranch offers a free lecture series throughout the summer. Learn to identify the wildflowers, gaze at stars, see live raptors and more.

You may also hike and fish (catch and release only) on the preserve.

This summer, include the Flat Ranch in your Yellowstone or East Idaho trip plans. Stop by and enjoy the preserve!

Fishing and Climate Change

Is the Big Wood destined to become a bass river? Will salmon conservation efforts in Idaho soon be rendered moot, because rivers are too warm for coldwater fish? Will New Zealand mud snails in Silver Creek--present but not problematic--suddenly erupt and overtake the whole watershed?

We don't have the answers to these questions, but one thing is certain: Climate change is poised to have profound impacts on native fishes--and fishing.

That was the message delivered by renowned fisheries biologists John Casselman and Jim Martin at last week's Outdoor Writers Association of America conference.

Casselman, a professor of biology at Queen's University in Ontario, has studied impacts of climate change on Great Lakes fish species. He found that even a one-degree increase in temperature can have profound impacts on fish populations. In some lakes warmwater species of fish like smallmouth bass have increased 60%, while coldwater species have decreased 60%. In some lakes, coldwater species have disappeared entirely.

Black crappies are expanding in many lakes, preying on walleyes. And his studies mirror what is being found by fisheries biologists across the country.

"Fish are very sensitive indicators of climate change and are responding," Casselman says. "We should accept that climate and temperature are driving factors affecting fish production and manage accordingly.

Martin, the new chair of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, sees this as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

"In my forty year career as a biologist, I've seen the attitude toward climate change go from denial to depression," he says. "But depression is a paralyzing condition. We need to move forward with energy and excitement and hope. This is the best time in history to be a conservationist."

Martin sees anglers playing an important role in solving the climate change problem. If they haven't seen the impacts on their favorite waters already, they will soon, and he hopes it mobilizes them into action.

"There are going to be a lot of surprises in the new century but we're up to it," he says.

To read more about the effects of climate change on fishing and hunting, check out the excellent new web site, Seasons' End.--Matt Miller

Owyhee Wildlife

Nature Conservancy volunteer Ken Miracle sends these photos of sagebrush wildlife from a recent trip to the South Fork of the Owyhee River.

The first is a sage grouse protecting her brood. It's an important time of year for sage grouse, as the young are busy consuming protein in the form of insects.

Of course, on any hike in the Owyhees, you may encounter a Western rattlesnake. They're very interesting animals, and the chances of being bitten are extremely remote.

Some of Idaho's most rewarding wildlife viewing is in the sagebrush country of the Owyhees. Bighorn sheep and mountain lions, badgers and bobcats, prairie falcons and golden eagles, are all abundant here.

Recent legislation creating Owyhee wilderness, and Conservancy conservation projects that control weeds, restore native plants and restore wetlands, provide a hopeful future for this wildlife.

Get out and enjoy the extensive publics land--your land--in the Owyhees. Abundant wildlife and adventure await those who get off the interstate.

Boise Peregrine Cam

Many believe that technology, television and computers are leading causes in separating people from nature--undoubtedly true in most cases. But at times, technology also help generate excitement about wildlife.

Peregrine falcons have been flying around Boise for years, but never have they generated as much excitement as this year, with the Peregrine Cam in their downtown nest box.

The young peregrines have hatched and very active. If you haven't already, check them out!

Preserve Opening Day Report

Submitted by Meredith A. Stewart, Silver Creek intern

Such excitement around here as opening day of fishing season arrived!

The evening prior to opening day, dozens of trailers were parked and tents popped up. Over the course of the next day, 176 visitors signed in at the Silver Creek Preserve.

The barbecue at the visitor center was well attended. On exhibit was a display thanking donors for their aid in securing a conservation easement on property directly south of the center.

Whether meeting the Silver Creek staff or catching up with fellow fishermen and friends, the get-together was a success.

Those who fished, watched birds and/or photographed found plenty to keep them entertained. On the nature hike led by Ginny Glasscock, participants took their time spotting wildflowers, identifying birds, and exploring the desert ecology.

It is great to see people using the New Zealand mudsnail stations positioned outside the visitor center, Kilpatrick Bridge, and Sullivan's Lake access locations. An invasive species, the New Zealand mudsnails were first detected in the Silver Creek watershed in 2001. The scrub stations keep the mudsnail population down and prevent contamination in other areas.

The start of fishing season comes at about the same time as the arrival of afternoon thunderstorms, swarming insects, and the young moose. Calf sightings are common along the banks of Stalker Creek.

If you keep an eye out in the water, on the land, or in the air, you'll be sure to see nature at work. We look forward to a great summer and seeing you around the preserve, at the visitor center or on the creek!

Waiting for Brown Drake, 2009

The brown drake mayfly hatch on Silver Creek is one of the most spectacular hatches you'll ever see--if you're lucky enough to actually be there when they hatch.

Brown drakes are large mayflies, and they hatch in numbers that defy description. As with many mayfly species, they live as nymphs underwater, and then mature all at once. They emerge from the water as winged insects, breed, lay eggs and die. They cloud the sky, they cover the water. And they hatch only for a few days each year, typically in early June.

As in other places where prey exists en masse, this natural phenomenon draws predators. In this case, trout.

It's a feeding frenzy: Perhaps the one time on Silver Creek when trout are reasonably easy to catch.

Anglers know this. The problem is, they don't know when exactly the drakes will hatch.

Last year, I brought friends to fish this hatch. We waited for the drakes, but by the end it felt more like the absurdist play Waiting for Godot--in which two actors spend the whole play literally waiting for Godot. Who never shows.

I hoped this year to avoid a repeat of that effort. Last night, it looked promising. A few brown drakes appeared on the water.

Anglers gathered, waiting anxiously. A party atmosphere prevailed. Any time now, the hatch would start.

Or not. As darkness fell, it became apparent that tonight was not the night. Everyone else left, but I stuck around. I had no schedule or obligations and maybe I'd have the whole hatch all to myself.

Of course, the insects never hatched. As my mind finally acknowledged that nothing would happen tonight, I walked back to my car, the words of another angler echoing in my head: "They'll be on tomorrow for sure."

Naturally, tomorrow I did have a schedule and obligations.

But for any other angler reading this, perhaps tonight's the night. Then again, anglers are incurable optimists; otherwise, they wouldn't fish Silver Creek.

Trust me, though, it's worth the wait. Maybe you'll see for yourself tonight. Maybe. --Matt Miller

Photo by Morgan Buckert.

Mercury & Fish Consumption

Many Idaho rivers and reservoirs contain mercury warnings. What does this mean? Should you forego eating fish caught from these waters?

A publication by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Safe Fish Eating Guidelines, provides a good overview of fish consumption, including recommended monthly limits.

Of course, the fact that wild fish from our state's waters have to come with a health warning is a sad state of affairs. Fish is a healthful food, and many waters contain populations that can be sustainably fished.

The Idaho Conservation League has done an exemplary job of tracing sources of mercury poisoning and educating people about the high levels of mercury in Idaho fish. Hopefully, this leads to a future where we can eat fish without worrying about poisoning ourselves. Until then, the Safe Fish Eating Guidelines will help you make educated decisions.--Matt Miller

Photo by Kirk Keogh, first2lastlight.com

Mountain Bikers: Respect Ewe Turns

By Bas Hargrove, The Nature Conservancy

This is my favorite time of year in Boise.

The flowers are blooming, trees are leafing out, and the trails are drying up enough to ride. So I was in a fine mood on this evening in May, pedaling out the Watchman Trail, one of Ridge to Rivers’ latest additions to our community’s excellent trail system.

Ridge to Rivers does terrific work in negotiating access for trails that cross a mixture of public and private land, and Watchman is a great example of collaboration with partners like the Bureau of Land Management and the Southwest Idaho Mountain Bike Association in developing trails for hikers, bikers, equestrians and other users.

As my riding partner and I rounded a bend, we came upon a band of several hundred sheep stretching across the steep hillsides above, below, and on the trail ahead of us.

As we approached the first of the woolies, we coasted to a stop and began threading our way through the band. I looked with some trepidation at the two Pyrenees guard dogs on the trail ahead, hoping for a calm reaction to the strange interlopers on our ‘iron horses’ interrupting the flock’s evening graze.

Nice doggies.

With a little coaxing, the dogs allowed us safe passage through their charges. As we walked our bikes out the back end of the flock, we encountered the herder and exchanged pleasantries.

As we’d passed through the sheep, I’d noticed the impact the new trail had on the land. Excavation had left a swath of bare earth up- and downslope much wider than just the narrow singletrack we were riding.

Herding the sheep out of our path hadn’t helped matters, because it forced them to climb above us in steep spots where they might not normally tread, causing extra erosion. I was hopeful, however, that this time next year native grasses and forbs might begin to fill in the bare patches.

I was thinking about this confluence of human and livestock impacts as I got back on the bike, and noticed a four-pack of bikers just entering the sheep zone.

The lead rider let out a whoop and continued his rapid clip into the heart of the band, starting a stampede of sheep up the hill across the trail.

His actions also raised the ire of the alpha dog, who ran barking down the hill toward the riders. This set the lead rider to shouting at the dog and compelled the bikers to go faster, which scared the sheep even more. It was a mess.

My buddy and I continued down the trail, and the other riders soon caught up. As the lead fellow approached me from behind, he muttered something to the effect of, “Damn sheep. They’re destroying the trail. Hey, mind if I pass?” When I pulled over to let them by, I could only shake my head in wonder.

I wondered if the herder had been there last spring, and how the annual trek through the Foothills had changed with the addition of this trail. I wondered at the cluelessness of my fellow biker who apparently took it for granted that this stretch of trail was his birthright and that the sheep were just an obstacle to his enjoyment. And I wondered what we can all do as Foothills users to foster understanding and a light touch on the land.

Fortunately, the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission has asked the same question, and with its partners, came up with the Care and Share program to educate folks about best practices for grazers and trail users.

Bas Hargrove works for The Nature Conservancy in Boise and participates in the Idaho Working Lands Coalition.

Photo by Kirk Keogh, first2lastlight.com

Amphibians in Idaho

Idaho conservationists don't often talk about amphibians. That's probably because the state has only fifteen species (and one of them, the bullfrog, is not native).

Compared to some areas of the tropics this is a paltry number: Colombia, for instance, has 754 amphibian species, with ten new species found just this year.

But Idaho still has some interesting frogs, toads and salamanders that you might see. Some, like the tiger salamander (above), may very well be in your backyard.
The Idaho giant salamander (above) prefers forest habitat. It often hides under logs, and is known for its tendency to "growl" when threatened. The Columbia spotted frog is a desert species; look for it in wetlands and low flowing rivers of the Owyhees.

I've found three Pacific tree frogs (above) in my yard this summer. Apparently, they move away from their riparian homes to lay eggs in any moist area they can find. They are often the frog species you will hear "peeping" on a summer night.

While The Nature Conservancy's work in Idaho does not specifically focus on amphibians, our work benefits these species. Protecting forest habitat, for instance, may be aimed at protecting elk and grizzly bears, but it also benefits Idaho giant salamanders. Wetland protection benefits many amphibian species.

Worldwide, amphibian species are facing a significant decline in numbers. Once-common species like the golden toad of Costa Rica have disappeared completely. A significant reason for the decline appears to be a fungal infection; some suggest that infection may be spreading due to climate change or pesticide use. With one-third of amphibian species worldwide threatened with extinction, ensuring the survival of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders is one of the conservation biology's most pressing challenges. --Matt Miller

Photo credits: tiger salamander by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Idaho giant salamander by National Park Service; Pacific tree frog by CS California via a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Fishing Season Opens at Silver Creek

The fishing season opens on Silver Creek Preserve tomorrow, May 23, with a free barbeque, a nature walk and of course, world-class fishing.

It also starts the summer season at the preserve, with the visitor center open 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily, and free nature walks every Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Visitors are welcome to the preserve for fly fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, hiking and canoeing. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. The Conservancy does require all visitors to sign in at the visitor center (the sign-in sheet is located on the porch).

Silver Creek Preserve includes 950 acres along one of the most famous trout streams in the country. Silver Creek is known for its large trout population and profuse mayfly hatches. Last year, anglers from all 50 states and 15 countries traveled to the preserve to test their skills against the stream’s legendarily wary fish.

The Nature Conservancy welcomes visitors, but asks that anglers and other users be sure to respect private property adjacent to the preserve. Several tributary streams are not on the preserve and are not open to public access.

“Preserve boundaries are clearly marked and our visitors must avoid private property outside the preserve,” says Dayna Gross, Silver Creek Preserve manager. “Adjacent landowners have done a tremendous amount of conservation work on their land that benefits the preserve, the creek’s clean water and all the wildlife in the area. It is really important that our visitors not trespass on these adjacent properties or tributary streams.”

Rubber Boa

The Conservancy's North Idaho land steward, Justin Petty, was recently lucky enough to find this creature--a rubber boa--while hiking in the Selkirk Mountains, near Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Boas in Idaho? It may seem strange to find a boa, a snake in the same family as the boa constrictor and anaconda, in Idaho's forests. The rubber boa is actually one of only two boa species found in North America.

The rubber boa is a very docile reptile; in fact, it is often used by therapists to help people overcome severe phobias to snakes.

It has a flat tail that looks like a second head. The snake raids mice and shrew nests, and that "second head" serves as a decoy so that animals defending their nests bite the tail instead of the head.

Rubber boas are not at all rare. But count yourself lucky if you see one: They are mainly active at night, and are very secretive, so most Idahoans never know they're around.

The North Idaho forests hold many interesting species. While most people hope to see a grizzly bear or a caribou or a wolverine, keep an eye out for other creatures, too. There just may be a boa under your feet.--Matt Miller

Photos by Justin Petty.

Imbalance, or In Balance?

Walk along any Idaho stream or river this spring, and you may catch a glimpse of the creature above: the American mink. Mink are common in Idaho, but never occur at very high densities.


They roam along streams, feasting on frogs, muskrats, crayfish and fish. They're a small predator, but quite efficient. Their sleek form allows quick movements and rapid attacks. But whether it's frogs or crayfish, stream creatures have evolved to better escape the mink's attacks.

Such is not the case in England, where mink are not native. Enough American mink have escaped from fur farms to establish substantial wild populations.

Which is bad news for England's stream creatures, particularly the water vole (pictured above).


On a recent trip to England, I saw one of these little mammals, which my brother described as a swimming guinea pig. They are, however, becoming an increasingly rare sight--the water vole is England's most rapidly declining animal.



Water voles are not adapted for the mink's hunting tactics, thus even a small number of mink can completely wipe out water voles from whole streams.


Removed from their native North American habitat, a mink becomes a pest.

Of course, European imports can have similar effects here. On the same England trip, I visited Cholderton Estate, a remarkable organic farm and wildlife conservation project owned by Henry Edmunds. (More on his extensive conservation efforts in an upcoming post).


Henry knows his plants, and showed me some of his favorite wildflowers in various meadows. I did a double take, though, when he described the spotted knapweed as "quite a nice plant." I've heard knapweed called many things, but "nice" is not one of them.


Of course, in England, it is a nice plant, because native insects keep it in check. In Idaho, it out-competes native plants and turns whole hillsides into knapweed monocultures.


Research often demonstrates that a "balance in nature" is a human construct. Natural systems ebb and flow, and are in constant states of change. Non-native species will likely prove to become more in balance with their habitats over time--although it may be in time frames much longer than humans are accustomed to thinking.


That said, the deliberate introduction of non-native species is avoidable and usually unnecessary. The imbalance caused by these introductions is not worth losing water voles, or native Idaho wildflowers. --Matt Miller

The spotted knapweed photo is by Kirt L. Onthank, licensed by the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. Other photos are courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Planting the 'Nature Fire'

Planting Day in the Burn Area

Visitors coming to the Silver Creek Preserve this spring will certainly notice some changes since last summer’s wildfire. The Nature Fire burned a total of 14,869 acres in and around the Picabo Hills in late August, including about 20 acres on The Nature Conservancy property. Sagebrush and other vegetation were consumed by flame, leaving an open, ash-covered landscape. Many acres have already been seeded with mixed native grasses and other herbaceous plants. It is amazing to see the gradual re-greening taking place.

To encourage the re-establishment of more shrubby vegetation, a volunteer planting day was held. Ed Papenberg, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, acts as coordinator for the Volunteer for Habitat Restoration program. This group includes people of all ages, from individuals and families to schools, civic organizations, 4H and Scout groups, and state and federal entities like the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

With so many folks pitching in, it was a big group that met to plant bitterbrush seedlings on the BLM land in the hills south of Silver Creek Preserve. We all got delicious cookies as our “bribe” and “thank you” to get us going. We split up and carried planting bars and sacks of seedlings up into the burned-over hills. It was a glorious day, and the panoramic views of Silver Creek often distracted us from our duties! But thousands of bitterbrush plants were set into the damp soil by the enthusiastic crews.

Bitterbrush is a preferred food for large animals like the deer and elk that use this area as a winter range. The plants will also help stabilize the soil, and were selected as a native species that should grow well on this site.

In addition to these benefits, a major goal of the Volunteer for Habitat Restoration program is to involve people of all kinds in local conservation projects. Ed Papenberg stresses the importance of the volunteers’ personal involvement in the rehabilitation of natural areas, and the increased awareness of our surroundings that comes with participation in activities like the planting day.

It was a productive day all around- for habitat restoration, for wildlife, and for the human participants as well!

Counting Birds at Silver Creek

Blog by Ginny Glasscock. Willet photo by Dave Glasscock.

April 15 may have been the tax deadline, but it was also the date for the monthly bird survey at The Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve.

So, having submitted my “extension of time to file” form, I rose early and headed out on a chilly, wet morning to meet up with a dedicated crew of birders : Poo Wright-Pulliam, Dave Spaulding, Jean Seymour, and Keri York.

Each month for the past five years, a core group of knowledgeable volunteers has gathered at sunrise at the Preserve, which has been designated an Important Bird Area (download the preserve's full bird checklist).

These specially recognized locations throughout the world have been selected as being essential and vulnerable bird habitats. Monitoring bird populations over time provides information that can be used in conservation planning to safeguard these critical areas.

There are five set sample points at Silver Creek where our group stops for ten minutes to count each individual bird seen, (or sometimes, only heard). At two of the points, we extend the survey area and time for more comprehensive coverage.

I am amazed at the knowledge of these citizen scientists- how they can differentiate between very similar birds, recognize flight patterns, identify songs, and point out specific behaviors. As the snow flurries swirled around us, I learned to be more observant of the wonderful variety and number of birds that occur on the Preserve.

Some highlights of the day included a willet wading purposefully along the stream’s edge, the tiny marsh wrens hiding in the rushes, and a common snipe that perched on a fence long enough for all of us to get a great view through the spotting scope.

All in all, 38 different bird species were identified for the April count. While I thought that was an impressive number, I was told to expect a much higher count next time. So, in mid-May, my taxes still won’t be done, but I hope to be out streamside again with the amazing bird survey crew. I’m eager to see what we can find!

Visit an Idaho Preserve

Does the recent warm spell have you itching for some summer fun?

Now's the time to start planning a trip to one of The Nature Conservancy's Idaho preserves.

The Idaho Statesman last weekend featured an excellent overview of the outdoor opportunities at our preserves, written by Natalie Bartley.

Our preserves offer a variety of activities, including hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife photography, wildflower walks, lectures and more.

Check out our Public Access Guide, detailing outdoor opportunities across the state.

Read more about specific preserves:

Ball Creek Ranch (Bonners Ferry)

Cougar Bay (Coeur d'Alene)

Flat Ranch (Macks Inn)

Formation Springs (Soda Springs)

Garden Creek Ranch (Hells Canyon)

Silver Creek (Picabo)

South Fork (Swan Valley)

Gobbler

Across much of the country, the woods and forests now echo with the booming gobble-gobble-gobble of the male wild turkey.

Late April marks the peak of the gobbling season for turkeys. Male turkeys gobble and strut to attract females, much as sage grouse strut and snipe winnow.

At the peak of their gobbling--often just before the breeding season begins--male turkeys are extremely aggressive. They will respond to any loud noise. My parents reported one gobbling to a barking dog. A hooting owl, calling crows, thunder or even the slam of a car door can all set off a loud gobbling bout in a turkey.

At one point, turkeys had disappeared over much of the country. In a tremendous conservation success, thanks in large part to hunters, turkeys have now been restored to their historic range. And beyond: Turkeys were not historically found in Idaho but now live in many parts of the state. A century ago, about 100,00o turkeys roamed the continent; today that number is 4.5 million.

Turkeys now may be taken for granted by conservationists. But they are tremendously interesting birds to watch, especially in the spring. They have a variety of calls (listen), and males often strut and fight in the presence of hens.

If you're interested in learning more about turkeys, read Joe Hutto's excellent book, Illumination in the Flatwoods. Hutto, a biologist, raises a flock of wild turkeys and then lives among them to learn more about turkey behavior.

Where to see wild turkeys: Turkeys can be hard to locate in the expansive forests of Idaho. The Conservancy's Ball Creek Ranch Preserve and Garden Creek Preserve are both reliable places to see turkeys. Visit at this time of year and you're likely to hear them gobbling. --Matt Miller

Photo by Sasha Kopf through a Creative Commons license

Leave It (Mostly) To Beaver

Story by Ginny Glasscock; photo by Dayna Gross.

Now that spring has arrived at the Silver Creek Preserve, we are starting to get “as busy as beavers."

And one of the matters we have turned our attention to is...beavers!

The beaver, Castor canadensis, is listed in my Peterson Field Guide under “Some Odd Mammals”, and they most certainly are!

This very large rodent, (up to 60 pounds or more), is surely unique, with its familiar paddle-shaped tail, huge front teeth, and webbed hind feet.

Their presence in Silver Creek and some tributaries is evidenced by the gnawed willows, water birch, and aspens at the water’s edge. Besides using these woody materials as a winter food source, sticks are employed in the construction of dams.

Beaver dams, and the ponds they create, can have many beneficial effects in stream ecosystems. The increased wetland area provides more habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl. Ponds can act to trap silt, minimize erosion, and slow run-off. There is a stabilizing effect on flows throughout the season, as more water is held back for lower-flow summer and drought periods, and groundwater is recharged.

But there can sometimes also be undesirable consequences. In the spring, precipitation, snowmelt, and a high water table can combine with the increased water-holding capacity of a beaver pond to create flooding .

This can have a negative effect when it interferes with roads, cropland, and grazing areas.

Such has been the case lately at Stalker Creek, requiring that we take action to restore an optimum balance. During the first week of April, Dayna Gross and Ginny Glasscock breeched a small section of this dam by manually removing sticks and mud.

The goal was to increase the flow enough to mitigate flooding of fields and an access road, while maintaining the natural function and appearance of the dam. We were able to get a true appreciation of the beavers’ engineering skills as we yanked, pulled, heaved, and scraped away the materials that were so meticulously crafted into this amazing structure.

Water started flowing through our small break, and lower upstream levels were observed almost immediately. We did not note any fresh tree cuttings in the vicinity of the dam, or any other signs that beaver were currently active nearby. A week- and a-half later, water levels are holding within the desired range, with no rebuilding of the dam evident.

We will continue to monitor the effects of beaver dams throughout the season, and apply a light hand, as needed, to maintain equilibrium in water levels.

Besides manual breeching, The Nature Conservancy has also used water levelers, which are various types of pipe set within or below beaver dams to allow a certain amount of continual water flow.

In the end, we aim in our function as land stewards to protect certain human activities while supporting the role of the beaver, nature’s ultimate water conservationist.--Ginny Glasscock

Drummer in the Woods

THUMP. Thump. Thump-thump-thump-thumpthumpthumpthump.

The ruffed grouse's spring-time drumming is something you almost feel before you hear. It's a low thumping sound, almost like an engine starting. (Listen)

This is the male grouse's way of attracting females. While the sound is often incorrectly described as the feather's hitting the grouse's chest, the noise is actually produced by the wings flapping the air.

Unlike sage and sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse display individually. Ruffed grouse are birds of the forest, so the male usually stands on a large, fallen log to drum, so that it can see in all directions.

Count yourself lucky if you are able to actually see a ruffed grouse drumming. They're wary birds, and more difficult to find than grouse that prefer open country. Instead, listen carefully the next time you're in Idaho's forests, and you may be rewarded with the sound of spring's drummer.

Where to hear ruffed grouse drumming: Ruffed grouse can often be found in forested areas that have a mix of habitats, particularly near streams.

The working forests of northern Idaho are great ruffed grouse habitat, such as in the Kootenai Valley near Bonners Ferry. In that valley, the forested areas of the Conservancy's Ball Creek Ranch Preserve, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area all contain good numbers of grouse.

The forested reaches of Hells Canyon and the South Fork of the Snake River are two other good places to check out.--Matt Miller

On Curlews and the Coming of Spring

Essay by Virginia Glasscock, assistant manager, Silver Creek Preserve. Photo by Dave Glasscock.

In this part of Idaho, where cold temperatures, snow, and short daylight hours are the “default mode” of winter, we look forward to spring with an enthusiasm unequaled by our friends in more moderate climes.

The powers that be have declared March 20 to be the first day of spring, but we all have our own measures of the actual arrival of this important seasonal milestone. This is such a major occasion that it is celebrated emotionally, not just officially.

Some folks might count spring as starting when they quit using the flannel sheets, or put the snow shovel away, or wash the windows for the first time.

But outdoorsmen always look to the seasonal markers provided by nature. It may be the date of “ground zero”, when the snow is finally gone and bare ground is again visible (often the subject of good-natured wagering). It may be seeing your first ground squirrel, or the observation of a green sprout of something emerging among the sagebrush.

But most people I know use birds as heralds of this highly anticipated season, and everyone seems to have their own favorite.

I dismiss the choice of the robin as a cliché. They always seem to show up before winter is fully spent, then hunker down with their feathers all fluffed out, looking disgruntled. Besides, a bird so common (the 6th most abundant land bird in the Silver Creek Preserve bird counts), doesn’t seem special enough to be appointed the true harbinger of spring.

The sandhill crane also has its many advocates. These birds are large, majestic, and vocal, and they command admiration. It is thrilling to hear their loud calls and watch their antics in the fields. Yet this seems, to me, somewhat too obvious a choice, picking the biggest and flashiest bird around.

While various other bird species also have their champions, my personal choice for the indicator of spring is the long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus.

This large shorebird, buff brown in color, arrives here from its wintering grounds in Mexico in early April, just as the weather is finally changing for good.

They have a variety of loud calls and cries and a recognizable flight pattern, so they are easily identified, even from a long distance. It is fascinating to watch them probe for earthworms in the fields with their improbably long, downward curved bills.

I’m only able to enjoy one of my favorite birds for only a short time before they move on. The curlew seems the most appropriate symbol of all- charming, raucous, and entertaining by turns, and as fleeting as the brief Idaho spring. --Virginia Glasscock

Snipe Hunt

If you attended summer camp as a youth, you may well be familiar with the "snipe hunt," a popular prank. New campers are taken into the woods and hold flashlights up to bags, waiting for the elusive snipe--a bird that allegedly is attracted to light and thus will fly into the bag.

Of course, the snipe never shows and the newbies stand around in the dark woods, left holding the bag. By the time they figure it out, they are likely lost and confused. Meanwhile, back in camp, everyone else is enjoying a big laugh.

When the new campers return, they learn the snipe is a mythical bird that doesn't exist.

Except it does. No, this isn't a belated April Fools joke and no, snipe don't fly into bags at night.

Snipe, which include 20 species around the world, are characterized by their long slender bill and mottled feathers. They're a common bird in wetland areas. The Wilson's snipe is common in Idaho, and now is the perfect time to catch their spring courtship display.

During their courtship, male snipe make a sound that is called winnowing--a term allegedly coined by Henry David Thoreau. It's been described as an eerie flute or a rapid whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop. (Listen).

It sounds like a call, but this sound isn't produced vocally.

The male snipe has modified tail feathers, which are fanned out in the air. The male does a "power dive" and the sound is produced by the tail feathers vibrating.

You are most likely to hear this at dawn and dusk, when snipe can be difficult to spot in the air. But I have heard winnowing throughout the day, and you can see the birds in their dramatic dives by following the sound.

Where to experience winnowing snipe: Any wet, open area along rivers and streams, like the meadows around Silver Creek and the Pahsimeroi Valley. Any wetland area is also a good bet--try the Kootenai Valley, the Weiser area or Thousand Springs. --Matt Miller

Photos by Tom Grey of Tom Grey's Bird Pictures.

April: What's Happening

Mark Your Calendar:

The Land Trust of the Treasure Valley presents the Patagonia Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Saturday, April 4. 1: 30 pm matinee and 6:30 pm evening show, Boise Centre on the Grove. Award-winning environmental films in a spirit of inspiration and education. Tickets are $10; order on-line, by phone at 208-345-1452 or at the door.

Colombia: Birds, Critters, Culture and Conservation. Tuesday, April 28. 7 pm, MK Nature Center, Walnut Street, Boise. To say Colombia has received a lot of bad press is an understatement. But that's old news; much of Colombia is safe and a perfect place for birders and naturalists to visit. The Nature Conservancy's Matt Miller will give a presentation on the people and wildlife living in some of Colombia's beautiful landscapes, colonial cities and warm ocean waters. Join him for stories of hope for the people and nature of this once violent landscape.

Dubois Grouse Days: The seventh annual Grouse Days is bigger than ever, with events for the whole family on April 17 and 18. Watch sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse on their spring display grounds, and visit The Nature Conservancy's Crooked Creek Project. Register on-line for all events.

Birding Opportunities: Sage and sharp-tailed grouse aren't the only active birds at this time of year. Get outside and enjoy grouse drumming, snipe winnowing and turkeys gobbling. Long-billed curlews call from meadows, and raptors nest in rocky cliffs. More information on all these feathered phenomena in the coming weeks at Idaho Nature Notes. A good way to enjoy Idaho's birds is by joining a free Audubon Society field trip.

Wildflowers: Later in the month, at lower elevations, you can begin to see dramatic displays of wildflowers, including the beautiful yellow of arrowleaf balsamroot in many foothill areas. And if you want some beautiful wildflowers for your own backyard, the Idaho Native Plant Society has plant sales in April and May around the state.

Marmot Day: Finally, Punxsatawney Phil may have been awake two months ago, but our yellow-bellied marmots are just emerging. Enjoy them in rocky cliffs while you can--they return to their dens for a summer torpor when it gets too hot.

Welcome Home, Salmon

Welcome home, salmon.

For the first time in sixty years, salmon will be able to return to a stretch of the Pahsimeroi River, thanks to a conservation easement and restoration projects by The Nature Conservancy and our partners.

The conservation easement protects 1214 acres of important wetlands, wildlife habitat and agricultural land on the Big Springs Creek Ranch in the Pahsimeroi Valley. The property is owned by Beartooth Capital, an investment partnership that specializes in acquiring and restoring ecologically important lands.

The property includes wetlands, tributary streams to the Pahsimeroi, pastures and irrigated agricultural lands. It is used by sage grouse, songbirds and a variety of big game animals.

“This is truly a wildlife paradise,” says Mark Davidson, the Conservancy’s Central Idaho conservation manager. “By working with Beartooth and our agency partners, we’re ensuring that this ranch continues to provide the clean water, beautiful springs and elk and salmon that make the Pahsimeroi Valley a special place.”

Read more.

Chinook salmon photo by Michelle Wilhelm/USFWS.