wood river land trust

Fall 2012

Photo by Trey Spaulding

Bow Bridge of the Big Wood

After nearly two years of planning, design and construction the bridge opened to the public this fall.

Protecting the heart of the valley...now and for the future.

wood river land trust

Letter from the Executive Director, Scott Boettger

As I sat down to write this letter to you, our donors, I thought of an old saying, Think Global, Act Local. I remembered the first time I heard that saying as a young kid growing up in the late 70s at the height of the Environmental movement. It must have made a big impression on me, and I cannot think of a better way to describe the accomplishments of the Wood River Land Trust. Over the last 15 years our little local group has protected more than 13,000 acres of open space in perpetuity. Thats permanent protection.not just a zoning change that is a plan revision away from development. With your help we have protected everything from large ranches abundant with wildlife and scenic beauty to small urban oases that help make everyday living in this Valley so wonderful. We have been a leading advocate and teacher of the benefits of water conservation through our Trout Friendly Lawn program that just completed its fifth year. Additionally, we have literally transformed the Hailey Greenway along the Big Wood River from a derelict wasteland, once used as a city dump, to a beautiful and valued treasure. Last year, we completed the 550-foot Boardwalk over Croy Creek wetlands providing the opportunity for the public to visit and appreciate this sensitive area but also to protect it from human incursion and damage. This fall we completed the construction of the Bow Bridge of the Big Wood River which now links both sides of the Draper Preserve. We embarked on collaboration with the BCRD and the City of Hailey to provide Nordic skiing out Croy Canyon and we are

our land trust

working on finding a more appropriate location for the Hailey citys snow storage. The Land Trust believes it is important to educate and empower the next generation of conservationists in the Valley. Thanks to a generous donor we will be starting a Student Conservation Council with Blaine County high school students this year. The coming year will bring much more activity, including the roll out of the long awaited Hulen Meadows pond, river restoration and flood control project. I also predict it will be a year when we make some big and important land acquisitions. Due to the economic down turn, properties that were once slated for development and much too expensive for us a few years ago are now within our reach. This summer we closed on a small but important property at the southern entrance to the Howard preserve in Bellevue. We were able to purchase the river front property for less than fifteen percent of what it was listed for at the height of the bubble. There is more information about this acquisition on page 10 of this newsletter. Fortunately, that will not be the last protection project, we are currently in negotiations for lands that will be transformative, and not just for today but for many years to come. Now is our time to act! So what can I say? Can a small group of people make a difference? Absolutely! We have made a difference and we can make a bigger splash in our small pond in the coming years. With your continued support, we can keep our eye on the big picture while making sure we make a lasting impact at the local level. m

Sincerely,

Board Profile, Rick Davis

A few months ago Rick Davis approached the Wood River Land Trust to see if he could join our board of directors. He stated that he has always supported our work and would like to help us to continue our mission. Subsequently, Rick was elected to our Board this fall. Unlike most in the Valley, Rick was born in Hailey and raised his family in Hailey. He graduated from Wood River High School and attended Montana Tech in Butte, Montana while working for the FBI operating security equipment. Rick has been active with the Sun Valley Rotary Club for years and served as its president twice. He served as a Hailey City Councilman for 16 years and as mayor for four years. When he is not volunteering he works as the Marketing Director for Sun Valley Title. Rick has two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. He said, I love the quality of life and the people that live in the Wood River Valley. You give a smile and you get one back. m

community

Interns
Each summer the Wood River Land Trust hires interns to help us with our easement monitoring, stewardship of preserves, our Trout Friendly Lawn program and whatever else we need to help us accomplish our mission. This summer we had two very talented and educated interns - Chad Stoesz and Laura Speck. Many of our supporters probably know Laura as she is a true local. Laura was born in Sun Valley and is the daughter of Jim and Mary Speck. She graduated from Wood River High School and later completed her degree in Environmental Studies at St. Lawrence University including studies abroad in wildlife management and conservation in Kenya. She worked as an intern for TNC in the summer of 2011. Laura headed up our Trout Friendly Lawn program, participated in easement monitoring, battled noxious weeds, developed preserve management plans and many other tasks. An added bonus for us was her photography skill. While she monitored our easements and preserves she took many beautiful photos of their natural beauty. One of Lauras favorite quotes is by Robert Redford. In the sanctuary of a forest or the vastness of the desert or the silence of a grassland, we can touch a timeless force larger than ourselves and our all-too-human problems. She obviously has a passion for conservation and a bright future in the field. Chad Stoesz came to the Wood River Valley from Denver, Colorado. Chad earned a B.A. in Behavioral Science from the Metropolitan State College of Denver and an M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado. Before working for us he worked for the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Denver. Chad and his fiance fell in love immediately with the Wood River Valley the accommodations at the Anderson House enhanced their experience. Chad participated in easement monitoring, battling noxious weeds, preserve management, collected and dispersed Dalmatian Toad Flax weevils and many other tasks. He has a passion for enjoying pristine land and waterways which are protected. After working for us he said that he learned how land trusts impact the field of conservation and preservation and facilitate community involvement in their goals. His career goal is to work for an NGO in the area of conservation. m

Summer Wood River Land Trust Interns, Chad Stoesz and Laura Speck, participated in a fish survey in Silver Creek. They floated the creek donning wetsuits counting fish of small, medium and large sizes in relationship to the habitat they were occupying.

This year the Wood River Land Trust used biocontrol insects to combat noxious weeds. In this photo Intern, Chad Stoesz, is collecting Mecinus janthinus a stem-boring weevil that attacks Dalmatian toadflax for release at the Howard Preserve. In addition, we released knapweed root weevils Cyphocleonus achates at Boxcar Bend. Our hope is that a self-sustaining population of the weevils will become established and reduce the weeds and therefore avoiding the need to use herbicides.

what we do
Bow Bridge of the Big Wood River
After nearly two years in the making the Bow Bridge of the Big Wood River was completed this fall, and it was christened with a public ceremony and ribbon cutting. This wonderful new addition to our community was the mastermind of Leslie Howa of HOWADESIGN. Leslie conceptualized and designed the bridge and also worked as the coordinator of the bridge construction under the direction of an anonymous donor who funded the project in its entirety. The inspiration for the design and name of the bridge comes from Leslies passion for the sport of archery and the Native American history of the area. Leslie is a competitive archer who, time permitting, practices on a daily basis with her recurve bow which is reflected in the design of the bridge. The beams, or glulams, of the bridge depict a bow as if dropped string down from the sky. The Bow Bridge has a span across the Big Wood River of 160 feet and completes a long awaited connection of the Wood River Land Trusts Draper Preserve, which lies on both sides of the river. This project continues our ongoing Hailey Greenway Restoration Project which began in 2008 when 1,200 tons of trash and debris were removed from the old Hailey city dump. If you have not seen the bridge, the boardwalk and the additional work we have completed along the Big Wood River, we encourage you and your family to visit the area. Be sure to look for hidden inspirational quotes throughout the Greenway. To visit the bridge and boardwalk in Hailey turn west on Bullion Street, continue over the river, take the immediate left into Lions Park and continue past the softball field to the parking area next to the pavilion. The Bow Bridge of the Big Wood River was a team effort of Wood River Land Trust staff and many others including: Western Wood Structures; K&M Construction; Galena Engineering; Whitehead Landscaping; Taylor Made Woodworks; Rocky Mountain Hardware; Burbank Design and Bouiss & Associates. m
Bottom left to right: Bow Bridge Contractor, Erik Nilsen, walks across the completed bridge with his family; metal leaf motifs embellish the overhead structural components of the bridge; Leslie Howa with the bowstring down on her recurve bow

Photo by Dev Khalsa

We build too many walls and not enough bridges.

Isaac Newton

NEW STUDENT CONSERVATION COUNCIL Looking for Founding Members

Join our Student Conservation Council (SCC). Wood River Land Trust (WRLT) is looking for high school students, 16 yrs. or older, who would like to serve on our SCC. Become an ambassador of land conservation by engaging peers in activities to restore nature in the Wood River Valley, while at the same time learning about the health of our rivers and lands (and even learning to fish with Lost River Outfitters!).

more online!

See

Applications are due by December 15, 2012 and can be downloaded from our website: www.woodriverlandtrust.org/Student_Conservation_Council.php

Who iS A GooD FiT? If you: Love and respect nature; Are at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in high school within Blaine County; Able to work with minimal supervision and/or know when and where to receive assistance; Demonstrate appropriate behavior; Possess leadership and listening skills; Are willing to promote WRLTs conservation programs where ethics and honesty is valued; Are committed to WRLTs mission; and Enjoy hiking and would like to learn to fish or improve your fishing skillsthen you should apply to become a Founding SCC member.

Evaluating Conservation Values

WhAT iS REquiRED? SCC members share responsibilities while acting in the interest of WRLT. Each member is expected to make contributions to each project and discussion based on his or her experience. Below are some of the duties that a member may help with in the course of their Council term. Organize and formulate SCC policies and procedures, its directors, officers and committees Adopt and manage the SCCs annual budget Search for methods and programs to improve WRLTs SCC activities and undertakings Review and evaluate SCC programs and policies Promote SCC programs to the community Raise funds for support of SCC programs Develop and organize activities that involve our communitys youth in all aspects of the WRLTs mission Keep accurate records of meetings and activities, reporting on programs to the Board of Directors Understand that all SCC plans, rules, schedules and activities are subject to the WRLT Board of Directors approval

For more information about the Student Conservation Council program, visit our website at the address above or contact Daphne Muehle, Director of Development, at dmuehle@woodriverlandtrust.org or 208-788-3947. Applications should be submitted to Daphne at the WRLT office: 119 E. Bullion Street, Hailey, ID 83333. m

A Speck in her Eye

A photo essay by Laura Speck taken this summer on Wood River Land Trust Preserves and Easements

Draper Wood River Preserve Forest

independence Creek Preserve

Butterflies add motion and a flash of yellow highlights to the lavendar wild onion

Lake Creek Preserve wild geranium

Big Springs Easement fawn

Church Farm Preserve

Cloverly Easement
A Pileated Woodpecker bores on a cottonwood tree in the Cloverly Easement riparian zone

Square Lake Preserve

Goose eggs rest in a bed of down feathers at Wood River Land Trusts Square Lake Preserve
more online!

See

Find these featured lands on our interactive online overview map

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Leverage Your Gift

If we raise $360,000 by December 31, 2012 then our anonymous donor and Board of Directors will contribute an additional $180,000.
Amount Needed: $251,168
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Give a gift to Wood River Land Trust by December 31, 2012, and help us qualify for an additional $180,000! This amazing opportunity, to leverage every dollar you contribute to WRLT, is made possible by an anonymous donor and our Board of Directors. In order to qualify for the Challenge Grant, we need each and every donor who gave last year to give again this year. We hope every donor seriously considers increasing their gift as generously as possible. Annual gifts are the backbone of our organization, allowing us to do all of the behind-the-scenes work for every conservation project we undertake. m

As of oct 29, 2012 Amount Raised: $108,832

Including WRLT in Your Estate Plans is Easy and Flexible

Three, long-time community residents recently notified the Wood River Land Trust that we are in their estate plans. Although they wish to remain anonymous, we are deeply grateful for their planning and forethought to include us as a beneficiary. One donor indicated that we will receive cash and heirlooms, to be valued at about $100,000. As a single, middle-aged man with family, he loves to hike with his dogs on the trails just north of the Valley. Having lived in large cities, he understands the value that wide, open spaces bring to life. Not only are they places to recreate, but nature provides many people with a sense of serenity and peace. By including WRLT in his estate plans, he is giving back to the community and providing for the future protection of places he treasures. The other planned gift comes from a retired couple who have lived in the Valley for over 30 years. These long-time, land trust supporters are generously donating their home to WRLT after they pass. They believe in the organizations ability to manage their gift appropriately, applying the proceeds to our missionrelated goals of protecting and restoring the Valleys landscapes. These planned gifts are extraordinarily thoughtful contributions from equally thoughtful donors. The work to safeguard our open lands never ends. Even after a property is saved, the next generations need to stay vigilant to ensure that the land is permanently preserved from future threats. Planned gifts to Wood River Land Trust will help us continue in our efforts to protect and restore land, water and wildlife habitat in the Valley and surrounding areas. m

Its a Win-Win Deal Even in Real Estate

Do you have a vacation home you dont use, a rental property you no longer want to manage or youre not sure who to leave your home to after you pass? Has the thought of capital gains taxes (yes, even in this market) or selling it yourself kept you from doing anything about it? Then heres some good news: making a gift of real estate to Wood River Land Trust (WRLT) can reduce your taxes, ease the demands of owning property and even provide you with lifetime income. Here are three ways to make a real estate gift to WRLT, each with its own benefits to you: 1. Making an outright gift allows you to receive the maximum charitable income tax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. 2. Giving WRLT a remainder interest in your property allows you to receive a tax deduction at the time of the gift and continue enjoying the property during your lifetime. 3. Establishing a charitable remainder trust with real estate allows you to avoid capital gains taxes, obtain a tax deduction at the time of the gift, and receive income for the rest of your life. No matter what method you choose, your gift helps protect our regions extraordinary natural lands. For more information about WRLTs real estate gifts program, please contact Daphne Muehle at dmuehle@woodriverlandtrust.org or (208) 788-3947.

The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value. - Theodore Roosevelt

Howard Preserve Extension Acquired

Visitors of the howard Preserve in Bellevue will be happy to learn that there is more public access at the southern end of the preserve. In July the Wood River Land Trust acquired 1.708 acres in Bellevue adjacent to the 12.57 acre Howard Preserve. Donors will be happy to know that we were able to purchase the river front property for a fraction of what it was listed for at the height of the bubble. We purchased this property for several reasons but primarily to protect its habitat and to provide more public access. The Big Wood River runs through the property and is habitat for Wood River sculpin and wild trout. The property also contains floodplain riparian habitat for bald eagle, moose, elk and many other mammals. With this acquisition there is now a larger contiguous natural area and the elimination of trespassing issues. The Howard Preserve was acquired by the Land Trust in 2004 through a bargain sale and a variety of fundraising efforts including a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. As part of the original plan, we transferred the property to the City of Bellevue to be used as a city park. The City of Bellevue, a volunteer group known as the Friends of the Howard Preserve, and the Land Trust cooperatively steward the Preserve. m Howard Preserve Extension

Howard Preserve

You Never Know What You Are Going To Find at the Building Material Thrift Store
Every day the Building Material Thrift Store receives donations that are out-of-the-blue. For example, this summer we received the donation of a 1953 GMC Fire Truck and two amphibious 6-wheelers. If you want to find out some of the new items that have arrived to the Thrift Store you can always pop into the store each week but you may want to consider becoming friends with us on Facebook too. Each week we post photos of all kinds of furniture, appliances, artwork, and building materials available at the store. We at the BMTS are extremely excited to see a healthier construction year. This summer we have been actively conducting demos on entire homes and salvaging kitchens and other rooms for remodels. We appreciate what that means to contractors, service workers, the local economy and our support for the Wood River Land Trust. m

The Building Material Thrift Store 3930 Woodside Blvd., hailey (208) 788-0014 www.buildingmaterialthriftstore.org 10

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Stock Gifts Make Cents Transfers are Easy to Make

With the end of the year quickly approaching, a gift of stock to Wood River Land Trust might be a tax-wise contribution. If you have appreciated stocks, it is simple to make a gift that can have favorable tax benefits. For example, a donor who gives a gift of common stock, held longer than one year, can avoid capital gains taxation on the transfer so the full value of the contribution goes to the Land Trust. The donor is able to take a charitable deduction using the full value of the gift and can claim up to 30 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) in the year the gift is made, with up to five years to absorb the full deduction under the AGI ceiling. Your broker can help you make the transfer, but if you have any questions, be sure to contact us. At right are the instructions to share with your broker about making a gift of stock to Wood River Land Trust: 1. Contact your stockbroker. Your stockbroker can make a direct electronic transfer of your stock certificates to WRLTs account with the following information: ClearRock Capital / Charles Schwab: DTC #0164, Code 40 Account Registration: Wood River Land Trust Account Number: 7811-0294

Charles Schwab Contact for Contra/DTC hotline: 602-355-9003. Clear Rock Capital Contact: 877-726-8858

2. Give your stockbroker Wood River Land Trusts taxpayer identification number: 82-0474191 3. Notify WRLT of the transfer so that we can properly credit you, as your name will not be with the wire of securities: Daphne Muehle, Director of Development, 208-788-3947 or dmuehle@woodriverlandtrust.org. Please provide WRLT with the following information: Name of the security; Number of shares to be donated; and Name and phone number of your stockbroker.

wood river land trust

Protecting the Heart of the Valley
Board of Directors
Jack Kueneman, President Trent Jones, Vice President John French, Treasurer Robin Garwood, Secretary David Anderson Richard Carr Ed Cutter Rick Davis John Flattery Heather King Jane Mason Liz Mitchell Rebecca Patton Wolf Riehle Megan Stevenson Steve Strandberg Barbara Thrasher

Now and for the Future

This newsletter is published by:

Staff
Scott Boettger, Executive Director Jill Brown, Development Assistant Patti Lousen, Project Coordinator Daphne Muehle, Director of Development Trey Spaulding, Director of Operations Keri York, Senior Conservation Coordinator

Wood River Land Trust

119 East Bullion Street Hailey, Idaho 83333 208.788.3947 (telephone) 208.788.5991 (fax) info@woodriverlandtrust.org www.woodriverlandtrust.org Tax ID# 82-0474191

Advisory Committee
Fred Brossy Ranney Draper Larry Schoen John Seiller Tom Swift Bruce Tidwell Liz Warrick

The soil is the great connector of our lives, the source and destination of all. - Wendell Berry

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A dragon fly rests in the sun at the Land Trusts Kelly Reservoir Easement in the vicinity of the Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management area.

Kelly Reservoir

FALL 2012
Bow Bridge, cover & page 4 Thank You to Our Summer Interns, page 2 New Student Conservation Council, page 5 A Speck in her Eye, Photo Journal, pages 6 - 7 Reach the Peak Challenge Grant, page 8 Including WRLT in Your Estate Plans is Easy and Flexible, page 9 Howard Preserve Extension Acquired, page 10 You Never Know What Youre Going to Find at the Building Materials Thrift Store, page 10 Stock Gifts Make Cents, page 11
Photo by Laura Speck

wood river land trust

wood river land trust

Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future

119 East Bullion Street Hailey, Idaho 83333 208 788-3947 www.woodriverlandtrust.org
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