The Ed Hill Conservation Award honors the memory of conservation-minded Teton Valley rancher, Ed Hill. In the 1980s, Ed Hill cooperated with Teton County Soil Conservation District to develop a fencing and water development demonstration area to control cattle grazing within his Teton River pastures. He saw change coming in Teton Valley, and got involved as a member of the Teton County Planning Commission, and as an early Land Trust director.

In recognition of Ed's commitment to conservation and the goals of the Land Trust, the Ed Hill Conservation Award is presented annually by the Land Trust to the individual or group who best demonstrates an active interest in conservation of land and community in the Upper Snake River Valley.

Mary Mullaney and Ralph Mossman of Heron Glass in Driggs, Idaho, create the Ed Hill Award each year. Their unique, hand-blown glass pieces made for this occasion celebrate the diverse habitats and scenic beauty of the Upper Snake River Valley.

Nominations for the 2008 Ed Hill Conservation Award can be submitted at bonnie@tetonlandtrust.org or by calling 208-354-8939.

Past Award Recipients:

2007 - US Fish and Wildlife Service Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office

The 2007 Ed Hill award goes to US Fish and Wildlife Service Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office because of their support of conservation and restoration on private lands in the Upper Snake River Valley through a number of programs. These include technical and permitting support through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The NAWCA program has brought millions of dollars to our region to purchase conservation easements in crucial wetland and riparian habitats. The USFWS also administers the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, which is a major source of support for habitat restoration on private lands in the Upper Snake River Valley. The Partners program works with conservation organizations and directly with landowners to benefit important fish and wildlife species and has been an integral component in the restoration of thousands of acres in our region. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also supports local, private and voluntary conservation efforts to benefit species at risk through the US Private Stewardship Grant. This program has been particularly beneficial to habitat along the Teton River. Finally, the award is an acknowledgement of the skill, professionalism and commitment to conservation on private lands demonstrated by US Fish and Wildlife Service staff from the Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office and the Eastern Idaho Field Office.

2006 - Fall River Rural Electric and Bonneville Power Administration

The 2006 Ed Hill award goes to Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative and Bonneville Power Administration for their efforts to protect trumpeter swans in the Upper Snake River Valley. The Rocky Mountain Population of Trumpeter swans, comprised of approximately 5,000 birds that breed in Canada and the Greater Yellowstone Area, are considered among the most vulnerable waterfowl populations in North American. Most of the Rocky Mountain Swans winter along isolated reaches of the Snake, Henry’s Fork and Teton Rivers. A major cause of mortality of wintering trumpeter swans is collisions with power lines.In 2003 TRLT began working with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Bonneville Power Administration and Fall River Electric to identify areas where power lines intersect locally important swan flyways in Teton Basin. Bonneville Power and Fall River showed extraordinary concern for protecting trumpeters from the very start of the project. They have contributed significant money, manpower and technological expertise in installing reflective devices on power lines in key areas where they intersect swan flyways. With the new reflective devices the swans are better able to see the power lines and avoid collision. We believe this effort will significantly reduce mortality of these beautiful and vulnerable birds that winter in our region.

2005 - The Conservation Fund and TCF Vice President Mark W. Elsbree

The 2005 Ed Hill award goes to The Conservation Fund and TCF Vice President Mark W. Elsbree for their effots to conserve priority wildlife habitats and workin landscapes in the Upper Snake River Valley. TCF is a national leader in forging conservation partnerships. In our region, Mark is a highly respected conservation professional and leader. TCF is a valued partner in the Land Trust’s conservation efforts throughout the region.

2004 - John and Sheila Nedrow

The 2004 Ed Hill Conservation Award recognized John and Sheila Nedrow for their efforts on the middle stretch of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. In 2002 and 2003, John and Sheila have conserved 533 acres of important farmland, river frontage, and wetlands. These habitats are significant for both sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, which breed within a few miles of the property. With its proximity to the river, Island Park Caldera, and the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area, it is also valuable habitat for migrating elk, moose and deer. The Nedrows are recognized for their long-term stewardship vision – a tradition that began with John’s grandfather and father and one they are passing on to their sons.

2003 - Treva and Jim Dewey

Jim and Treva Dewey, long-time ranchers of Victor, Idaho, were presented with the 2003 Ed Hill Conservation Award for their ongoing contributions to conservation of ranchlands, wetlands, spring creeks, and wildlife habitats in the Teton River Basin. The Deweys are leaving a legacy of protected land to future generations, having committed to protect their entire 478-acre ranch in the Foster's Slough area north of Fox Creek through conservation easements.

Jim and Treva are working actively with their neighboring landowners, the Land Trust, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the Teton Soil Conservation District, and many other partners to protect and restore the Foster's Slough area. This large area between Fox and Darby Creeks near Teton River is both excellent summer pasture for cattle and superb wetland and spring creek habitat. The Deweys and many other landowners in the area hope to restore the Foster's Slough to its former glory as trout and wildlife habitat while demonstrating the compatibility of this goal with sustainable grazing.

2002 - Jill and Boyd Smith

The Smiths were recognized for their generous contributions to the conservation of wetlands, river corridor and wildlife habitats in the Teton River Basin.The Smiths are leaving a legacy of protected land to future generations, having donated conservation easements on two key Teton Basin properties. In 1998, the Smiths protected 80 acres of land on the east bank of Rainbow Bend of the Teton River. The property represents some of the finest wetlands in Teton Basin. The Smiths have fenced off aspen stands and riparian corridors to protect key habitats.

In 2001, the Smiths donated a conservation easement on 118 acres at the base of Pine Creek Pass. This forested wildlife habitat was already platted and ready for a subdivision, with the roads and water already developed, when the Smiths bought the property. Now it will be forever protected as the fine wildlife habitat that it currently is. In addition, the Smiths hope to protect yet another Teton River property in 2002.

"Taking certain lands out of intense development is a way to preserve the Teton Valley way of life and the natural beauty of the land," said Boyd Smith.

2001 - North American Wetlands Conservation Council
NAWCC was honored for their tremendous contributions to the conservation and restoration of wetlands in the Teton River Basin. As a primary partner in the Land Trust's Teton Basin Wetlands Conservation Project, NAWCC has granted $1.7 million toward the project that has protected more than 3,000 wetland acres. This project has accounted for well over $12 million in appraised land protection value.

This accomplishment is also a testament to the families who have placed conservation easements on their wetland properties:

Lew & Jill Mithun
Charlie Sands
Dr. Jim Cecil
James & Jacklyn Klausmann Family
Jerry & Viesia Kirk
Boyd & Jill Smith Family
David George & Carolyn Foster Family
Ed & Toni Hill Family
Lynn & Wilma Bevan Family
Jim & Treva Dewey Family
Larry & Murrel Cooke Family
George Payson & Gilman Alkire

2000 - Seeley Family
Dick and Jan Seeley of Ashton, Ernest Seeley of Ashton, and Arnold and Judy Seeley of Blackfoot were recognized for their conservation efforts in protecting 637 acres of scenic foothills and farmland on Ashton Reservoir.

1999 - Bureau of Land Management
This award recognized the outstanding efforts of Karen Rice, Ecologist, Jeff Gardetto, Wildlife Biologist, and Joe Kraayenbrink, Field Manager, Idaho Falls Resource Area; David Beaver, Washington Office LWCF Coordinator; and Kay Schiepan, Idaho LWCF Coordinator, Jackie Simmons, Realty specialist, and Larry Shiflet, Senior Staff Appraiser, Boise State Office, Bureau of Land Management.

These BLM employees worked hard to secure both federal mitigation funds and Land and Water Conservation Funds to conserve lands along the South Fork and lower Henry's Fork of the Snake River.

1998 - Lewis Mithun
In 1998, Lew Mithun was in the process of contributing his second conservation easement on a vital portion of the Teton Creek watershed. (He's now contributed his third easement.) He was recognized with the Ed Hill Award for these contributions and for giving the Stewardship Committee the thrilling opportunity to design a management plan for his two ranches.

1997 - Henry's Fork Watershed Council
Co-facilitators of the Council, the Henry's Fork Foundation and the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District, were recognized for their collaborative conservation and management of Henry's Fork Watershed.

1996 - Jo Ann Kay
Mrs. Kay receivied the Ed Hill Award for her leadership in conservation education and sense of place with elementary students.

1995 - Steve Ray
As a District Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Steve was recognized for his contribution of time and talent toward furthering the conservation aims of the Land Trust.

1994 - Dale Breckenridge
Dale is a long-time rancher in Teton Valley and was honored for his leadership of the Historical Society.

1993 - Dick Clark
Dick was recognized for his agriculture committee work with the Teton County Economic Development Council.

1992 - Ed Hill
The first Ed Hill Conservation Award was awarded posthumously to Ed Hill through his family. It was presented to his wife Toni and their children at the 1992 summer picnic.