TRLT Kick-off Draws a Crowd

For Immediate Release

Island Park News - August 20, 2009

Despite cold and rainy weather, around 60 people turned out to celebrate the opening of a satellite office of the Driggs-based Teton Regional Land Trust at the Three Rivers Ranch Orvis Fly Shop in Last Chance Saturday, August 8.

The opportunity to staff and focus on conservation and outreach in the Island Park landscape is due to a "friend oflsland Park." The office is staffed by a husband- wife team, Tim Reynolds and Patty Isaeff.

Local Idaho Master Naturalist program volunteers Gary Gross, Beth Fleming, and Nancy Willard were there to support the event. Beth and Nancy sold TRLT teeshirts and calendars and helped with food preparation. Gary was "Mr. BBQ," flipping burgers and rolling the hot dogs. Idaho Brewing Company out of Idaho Falls, owned by Leon Wolfram and Robin Van Horn, donated microbrew pony kegs to the event. Marla and Parley Payne loaned out Outback Realty's BBQ for Gary's great burger flipping. Three Rivers Ranch provided tables, chairs, canopies and more.

In addition to the kick-off event, the Teton Regional Land Trust celebrated being accredited the same week through the independent national organization, the Land Trust Alliance. This is a certification earned through a rigorous process, and well deserved as the Land Trust has conserved nearly 26,000 acres on the southeast Idaho region.

Land Trust board chairman, Dave Rienke, representatives from the Henry's Fork Foundation, folks from the Grizzly and Wolf and Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, locals, and vacationers stopped to chat and enjoy free food.

Land Trust representatives from the Driggs office were Babette Thorpe, Land Protection pirector, and Matt Lucia, Stewardship Director. Matt and Babette, and Tim and Patty discussed the goals of conservation and outreach for the Island Park landscape. A map of the focus region was available that shows wildlife areas, migration paths, and development scenarios. ■