Teton River Basin Project

The Teton River ambles rather humbly down the middle of Teton Valley, a casual country stream. But through most of the hundred and twenty years since settlement, the river has been the economic and ecological mainstay of Teton Valley. The Teton River and surrounding wetlands are nationally recognized fish and wildlife resources to boot.

In addition to the watershed’s highly valued stream courses, more than 27,000 acres of diverse and productive wetlands are found along the river and tributaries. These wetlands support a rich diversity of wildlife and plants, including many rare and sensitive species. Much of the area is also vital summer pasture for ranchers from throughout the Upper Snake River Valley.

However, Teton Valley’s phenomenal residential growth threatens these valuable stream corridors and wetlands. Dense residential development in the wrong places can destroy the water quality, fish and wildlife habitats, and agricultural opportunities that have always been the hallmark of the Teton River and surroundings.

The Land Trust has long focused on the Teton River and associated wetlands as one of its highest priority projects. The Land Trust’s goals in this project are: 1) to protect priority lands from inappropriate development through work with willing landowners; and 2) to restore streams and wetlands found on these lands to their full ecological potential.

The Land Trust has completed more than 6,666 acres of land protection in the upper Teton River watershed. Many partners are involved in the conservation and restoration of Teton Valley’s wetlands. Most importantly, all of the conservation easement projects involve a voluntary partnership with a willing landowner, as all of the projects are on private lands.

As TRLT Board member Jeff Klausmann, chair of the Land Trust’s Teton River Basin Committee, notes, “We have had some great success protecting important lands along the Teton and its tributaries. But now it is time to step up the effort to an even higher gear.” Development pressures increasingly threaten stream corridors and wetlands in Teton Valley.

The Land Trust has protected some spectacular Teton River and wetland landscapes. Consider a few:

• Three Forks of the Teton - 596 acres of protected wildlife habitats and public access made possible by the Hill, Bevan, Wilson and Dunn families.
• Teton Creek - more than 1,000 acres, from Highway 33 to the confluence of the Teton River, protected by the Mithun and Kirk families.
• Rainbow Bend and Two Forks - 435 acres protected by the Klausmann and Smith families.
• Woods Creek Fen - 200 acres protected, 160 acres by Charlie Sands, and 40 acres as an outdoor classroom by Land Trust members.
• Foster’s Slough - the most ecologically important wetland of the Teton River, 970 acres protected by the Dewey, Smith, Young, Lundquist, Harrington and Johnson families. The Land Trust is also facilitating a successful partnership with landowners to restore the slough.

The Land Trust's successful partnerships with landowners, agencies, foundations and resource groups are creating a landscape of protected land along the Teton River and its tributaries. Neighbors are conserving land and connecting vital corridors.

However, we have much work left to complete in our protection and restoration effort. Interested people are invited to join with the Land Trust as it works to protect high priority Teton River landscapes. We are working out protection priorities, establishing new relationships with willing landowners, and identifying opportunities to restore habitats.