The Trail to Stack Rock FALL 2013 Board of Directors

FALL 2013
Board of Directors
The Trail to Stack Rock
Nate Isaak
President
Susie Saad
Vice President
Nancy Werdel
Secretary
Jonathan Krutz
Treasurer
Rhonda Schaff
Leif Elgethun
Volunteer trail crew helping to maintain the trail with our partners REI and SWIMBA. Photo: Aileen Frey
Kahle Becker
Stack Rock is an icon of the Treasure Valley and has been a destination for recreationists
for decades. But to get there can mean traveling on private land without permission. The
only public trails access is over 9 miles long from Bogus Basin Ski Resort – too far for
most hikers. When Boise City acquired Stack Rock with Foothills levy money and a private
donation, the need for a direct route that was also legal became even more critical. Michelle Cooper
Sam Sandmire
Jon Munkers
Scott Raeber
Sarah Weppner
Anne Woodhouse
Staff
Tim Breuer
Executive Director
Kim Gattiker
Membership Coordinator
Sam Roberts
Trail Foreman
Jill Baum
Stewardship Coordinator
The Land Trust of the
Treasure Valley
P.O. Box 106
Boise, ID 83701
208.345.1452
www.lttv.org
tbreuer@lttv.org
Stack Rock looms in distance. Thanks to Ridge to Rivers for providing tools. Photo: Tim Breuer
We are pleased to announce that earlier this year the Land Trust
succeeded in securing a trail easement across the private land. Three separate owners helped make the easement possible which now allows for public
access to this great site. More work is needed as trailhead parking is limited. A small area to
park exists near mile marker 13. Efforts are underway to identify an alternative parking area.
Until a site is secured please respect signs and park only off the asphalt. We hope you find
time to enjoy the hike or bike ride to Stack Rock.
• Conserving Nature Close to Home • Conserving Nature Close to Home •
More Land Saved in Hillside to the Hollow Area
Save the Date
Thurs, Dec. 5, 2013
5 - 7 pm
Annual Members & Friends
Holiday Party
Join us at The Crux
1022 W. Main Street
Downtown Boise
The old adage, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ could also be applied to nature preserves.
In 1990 the Boise Heritage Preservation Report identified Harrison Hollow as an important
natural area valued for its sense of solitude close to the urban core. Neighbors helped
shine a light on it, and dubbed the larger area “Hillside to the Hollow.” When the first
piece of the area, Harrison Hollow, came on the market the Land Trust moved quickly to
secure the right to buy the land. With citizen’s help, the purchase was completed in the
waning hours of 2011. Today we are pleased that Boise city Levy money has been used to
purchase an additional 259 acres bringing the total to 310 acres of nature on the very edge
of the north end of Boise. This is a tremendous victory for the community, for nature and
for the concept of collaboration and community team work.
We see this latest step not as an end but a new beginning. There will be more work ahead,
and the Land Trust is pleased to be able to work closely with city leaders and neighbors
as we develop a plan and begin caring for this
newest addition to our foothills family. We are
honored to be part of this ‘village’.
Stewardship Success
Volunteers complete all season trail in Harrison Hollow.
We’ve been busy in the field since the last
newsletter! Thanks to a multitude of volunteers,
interested partners and generous donors, the
stewardship program continues to make a
difference on the ground. Projects have varied
geographically from the Foothills to the River
and from Stack Rock to Star. Over the past half
year, the Land Trust engaged 106 volunteers
on 10 different projects. These have included
cottonwood planting, trail maintenance, purple
loosestrife eradication, bitterbrush monitoring,
and gravel spreading (a worthy and challenging
project!). Additionally, we assisted with half a
dozen classroom field trips, set up outreach
materials at a variety of public events, engaged
a College of Western Idaho horticulture
class in propagating native plants for future
projects and collected water samples for the
annual Watershed Watch. In the words of
one volunteer, “I would love to volunteer with
you again. I know we did something positive
for our community and I had fun!” Thank you,
everyone, for putting our mission into action.
Students plant cottonwood saplings at Star River Walk. Photo: Kim Gattiker
Dinner in the Hollow:
Celebrating the Conservation Community
Thanks to more than 200 guests, sponsors, donors and volunteers, Dinner
in the Hollow raised over $28,000 to support the work of the Land Trust.
The evening began with a rousing set by Carmel & the Closers, a great
band and supporters of the Harrison Hollow Purchase. Mayor Dave Bieter
spoke to the crowd about the importance of the bond packages. After a fine
meal of paella by the Basque Market, cooked during high winds, auctioneer
Josh Houk entertained the crowd with lucky bidders winning trips, vacation
rentals. local wine and lunch with Mayor Bieter. Thanks to all who helped,
participated, donated food, beer, wine and auction items. Hats off to this
community of supporters of nature.
Members enjoy Dinner in the Hollow. Photo: Katie Saad
• Conserving Nature Close to Home • Conserving Nature Close to Home •
Boise River Enhancement Network Awarded Federal Grant
The Land Trust along with our colleagues at Trout Unlimited, Idaho Rivers United, South
Boise Water Company and Ecosystem Sciences Foundation, succeeded in a proposal to
the Bureau of Reclamation’s Cooperative Watershed Management Program to strengthen
the network of professionals and citizens interested in a healthy Boise River. The $50,000
grant will be used to broaden the network and create concepts for enhancement projects,
providing a way for diverse stakeholders to connect, coordinate and cooperate. An early
outgrowth of this network is providing input into Boise City’s River Management Plan.
Please add your comments regarding the future of the Boise River at the next pubic open
house in January 2014. For more information see parks.cityofboise.org/8604.aspx.
The Majestic Cottonwood
The black cottonwood is an important piece of the habitat fabric
along the Lower Boise River. But it is in jeopardy. The tree needs
high flood flows for seed to germinate and grow. These flows
are rare to non-existent since the dam system was built, and the
large cottonwood is threatened. Without seed-produced trees, the
remaining sucker trees are less genetically diverse putting trees at
risk should a disease strike.
The Land Trust is growing cottonwood trees using seed
collected from our Eagle Island property, Perkins Nature Area.
The seeds, having grown for a season with help from the Idaho
Botanical Garden, have turned into robust yearlings. This
fall and winter most of the trees will be planted on public or
protected private lands, often with the help from volunteers like
students at Star Elementary. The Land Trust is committed to
growing native plants and future conservationists.
Cottonwoods aglow along Star River Walk.
Bird by Bird Connects Students with Nature
As a kestrel soars above like a kite on a windy day, students
from Highlands Elementary take notice. They are one of over 15
classes in the valley who are part of the Bird by Bird Program.
This multi-agency effort was created by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service so students of various ages would have the opportunity
to become budding birders and lovers of nature. Meggan Mackey,
Public Affairs Specialist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, has
observed changes in student behavior after just a semester.
Photo: birdbybirdidaho.com
“Watching these students become excited about bird watching
makes you encouraged for the future of nature. Many of these kids have not had a chance to
learn about birds in their own backyard and by the time they finish a season, they are hooked.”
The Land Trust’s stewardship coordinator helps organize the effort as part of our partnership
with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners, BLM, Idaho Department of Fish
and Game, Golden Eagle Audubon Society and Wild Birds Unlimited. Through this same
partnership, the Land Trust additionally helps to coordinate the Sage Grouse in the Schools
program for high school students.
YOU ARE WHAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY GREAT!
Land Trust members like you allow us to conserve access to nature
for current and future generations. Thank you.
Not a member? Go to www.lttv.org and help leave a lasting legacy of nature. Interested
in getting your hands dirty? Sign up to volunteer on our website. Ongoing opportunities
include trail work, habitat restoration and cottonwood planting, to name a few. Join us!
• Conserving Nature Close to Home • Conserving Nature Close to Home •
Thanks to our Business
& Organizational Partners
Please support the businesses and
organizations that support conservation.
Healthwise
REI, Inc.
Wells Fargo
Tates Tents & Events
Mackay Wilderness River Trips
TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering
Site Based Energy
Idaho Wine Merchant
Idaho Mountain Touring
Ecosystems Sciences Foundation
Sustainable Maintenance Solutions
Western States Caterpillar
Thornton Oliver Keller
10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Highlands Hollow Brewhouse
Ninkasi Brewing Co.
Hells Canyon Winery
World Cycle & XC Ski
Aurora Power
Bonefish Grill
The Promo Shop
The Basque Market
The Boise Weekly
Canyons River Company
Meuleman Mollerup
Intermountain Medical Imaging
Bardenay
Shu’s Idaho Running Co.
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
Vacasa Rentals
Brundage Mountain Resort
Sun Valley Trekking
Crane Creek Country Club
Sage Yoga
The Knitting Factory
The Flicks
Boise Contemporary Theater
Chandler’s
Whole Foods
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Boise City
Ridge to Rivers
Ada County
The Bureau of Land Management
US Forest Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
The Bureau of Reclamation
Idaho Conservation League
Conservation Voters for Idaho
Idaho Botanical Garden
SWIMBA
College of Western Idaho
Idaho Rivers United
Trout Unlimited
Winter Wildlands Alliance
Star Elementary
White Pine Elementary
Highlands Elementary
Sage International School
Riverstone International School
Idaho Youth Ranch
Idaho Master Naturalists
Trey McIntyre Project
Radio Boise
Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation
Idaho Community Foundation
Boise State Public Radio
The Land Trust of the
Treasure Valley, Inc.
P.O. Box 106
Boise, ID 83701-0106
www.lttv.org
Conserving nature
close to home.
Vote Yes! Yes! for Boise on Nov. 5
Vibrant communities in which to live, work and raise a family don’t just
happen. On November 5th, Boise voters have a chance to choose a
future that will ensure our great city remains vibrant and sustainable.
Two bond measures are on the ballot, one of which will create $10 million
for acquisition of land in natural areas like the Boise Foothills and along
the Boise River. The measure will cost an average homeowner about a
$1/month. We think this is a sound investment in our future. Citizens of
the past have worked hard to create things like the Boise River Greenbelt.
Now it’s our turn.
The Land Trust has endorsed this effort, and we hope you will join us in voting
Yes Yes for Boise on November 5th.
Leave a Legacy
Please consider the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley
in your estate planning.
Gifts of cash, IRA’s or land all help to assure a legacy of nature in the
Treasure Valley. And there may be significant tax benefits in doing so.
Call the office at 345-1452 to learn more.
Cottonwood sapling recently planted at Hyatt Wetlands. Photo: Jill Baum
• Conserving Nature Close to Home • Conserving Nature Close to Home •