One of Idaho’s most valuable wild places has a secure future thanks to a nationally recognized conservation partnership. In 1985, a collaboration of state and federal agencies, as well as several conservation organizations, recognized the South Fork of the Snake River east of Idaho Falls as a haven for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, bald eagle, deer, elk, moose, and over 120 bird species.

On February 29^th, in Washington, DC, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game along with the Bureau of Land Management, Teton Regional Land Trust, The Conservation Fund, and The Nature Conservancy will receive a national award recognizing the partnership for its exceptional conservation efforts along the South Fork of the Snake River.

Teton Regional Land Trust Executive Director Chet Work will travel to DC to accept the award on behalf of the partnership.  

The partnership began nearly 30 years ago when private landowners along the canyon of the South Fork recognized the scenic and wildlife values of the river and desired to keep the area in its undeveloped state.

Read more...

L

ooking east from Rusty and Karen Vest’s property along Packsaddle Road you’ll take in a spectacular view of the Tetons. To the west, the Big Hole Mountains loom behind the willow-laden banks of the Teton River. Their 120 acre property and the adjacent 40 acres was once proposed and approved for a 12 lot subdivision complete with a commercial fishing lodge.  This level of development would have had an impact on the river, the fishery, the active bald eagle nest, the big game, wintering trumpeter swans and certainly the scenery for the public using the Teton River. Fortunately for our community the Vests did not want to see the property developed. The Vests worked with the Teton Regional Land Trust in 2005 to craft a conservation easement to permanently protect the 120 acres along the Teton River.

Recently, the Vests purchased the additional 40 acres to the east of their existing property. The newly acquired acreage has been under conservation easement since 2004. The Vests decided to further protect the property’s conservation value by eliminating the possibility of development completely. The couple worked with the Land Trust to amend the 2004 conservation easement that originally allowed for one home on the 40 acres. The Vest’s amendment to the conservation easement now eliminates any development on the land. The amendment was recorded with the county last week.

Read more...

T

eton Regional Land Trust truly appreciates a generous grant awarded by Teton Springs Foundation towards the purchase of a pickup truck. The truck will replace two older unreliable vehicles.

The vehicle will provide Teton Regional Land Trust with adequate equipment for meeting with potential easement donors, performing required easement visits, performing property maintenance tasks, hauling equipment and material to habitat restoration sites and taking conservation partners, members and donors on outreach tours.

The Teton Springs Foundation was established by the resort founders as a means for the community to benefit directly from the development's success. For each property sold in Teton Springs, the Teton Springs Foundation receives 1% of the value of the home site. Twice per year, the foundation grants funding requests to non-profit organizations serving the residents of Teton Valley. Teton Springs Foundation has funded 35 local nonprofit organizations for over $780,000.

“The Teton Valley nonprofit organizations are lucky to have such a generous program in the county,” said Teton Regional Land Trust Executive Director Chet Work. “We appreciate the Teton Springs Foundation’s support.”

Photo by Jeannette Boner of the Valley Citizen

Congressman Mike Simpson got a firsthand look last Thursday at how a partnership of private landowners, local conservation groups and state and federal agencies are benefitting wetlands and wildlife in eastern Idaho.  Simpson, the Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, joined local farmers and ranchers and representatives of Ducks Unlimited, the Teton Regional Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game on a tour at the Chester Wetlands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near St. Anthony, Idaho. The tour and presentations highlighted how cooperative funding for protection of private lands and restoration of wildlife habitat benefits everyone— landowners, hunters, anglers and conservationists, as well as fish and wildlife.

"It's obvious when you see the work being done on the ground how important these programs are to waterfowl, [to] wildlife and to future generations," said Simpson. "It's important to maintain funding for them, even in tough economic times.

Read more...

The Teton Regional Land Trust continues to build conservation momentum along the Fall River in Fremont County.  Last week, the Land Trust and the Kirkham family permanently protected 80 acres of the Kirkham’s farm with a conservation easement. The conservation easement is a legal agreement that allows for farming and ranching on the property but permanently restricts the type and amount of future development that can occur on the property.

This conservation easement lies near the Kirkham Bridge over the Fall River; a popular spot for anglers and boaters and will protect scenic views along the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road. The easement also protects wildlife habitat for migrating deer, elk and moose as well as resident animals like songbirds, hawks and grouse.

“It’s great to see additional land near the Fall River protected.  More and more landowners along the Fall River are beginning to understand the unique value this area offers for both wildlife and agriculture and their interest in conservation is spreading”, commented Teton Regional Land Trust Land Protection Specialist, Renee Hiebert.

The Kirkham property lies in close proximity to over 1300 acres of previously protected lands near the Fall River adding to the growing preservation of vital habitat and agricultural lands in Fremont County.

Landowner, Dan Kirkham, conserved his property because in his words it is “…a good thing for the Country to make sure we don’t overdevelop our open spaces”.

Teton Regional Land Trust would like to thank the many generous contributors that made conservation of this property possible including the Kirkham Family and several other individuals and foundations interested in preserving land in Fremont County.

For more information about this project or Teton Regional Land Trust, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 208-354-8939. ■