COMMUNITY KNPS presents wildlife biologist on Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

By Reader Staff

The Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society will host Dr. Jim Peek for a presentation Saturday, Feb. 18 at the East Bonner County Library in Sandpoint, as he shares his years of research in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

Peek’s work focused on exclosures on the Middle Fork Salmon River, established in the 1950s to demonstrate the effect of mule deer on their forage. His exclosures were investigated 30 to 40 years later, including the productivity of three common plant species over a 20-year period, which included responses to the 2000 wildfire.

The results of those studies — representing a unique ecological record — will be presented and the value of research in wilderness will be discussed.

The program is scheduled for 10 a.m. inside Meeting Room B in the Sandpoint branch of the library (1407 Cedar St.). All are welcome to attend. Those wish- ing to join via Zoom, register at bit.ly/ KNPS-DrPeek.

Peek majored in wildlife ecology with minors in botany and range ecology at Montana State University, and in wildlife ecology and forestry at the University of Minnesota. He worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for eight years, then attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Ph.D. and taught wildlife courses.

He came to the University of Idaho in 1973 to teach, retiring in 1999, but continued to guide graduate students and finish his research. Peek finally completely retired after finishing a history of the Lochsa elk herd, which was published in 2021. He worked with antlered and horned game, plus wolves and bears over his years as a wildlife biologist.

For questions about this program, contact Preston Andrews at KNPS.Tech@ gmail.com.

CAL offers scholarships to graduating seniors

By Reader Staff

The Community Assistance League is offering scholarships to graduating Bonner County high-school seniors. This includes home school, public and private high-school students. In addition, CAL offers scholarships to those who have previously received a CAL scholarship and those who have delayed their education.

Applications are now available and can be picked up at CAL’s Bizarre Bazaar store (502 Church St. in Sandpoint). Please contact CAL at 208-255-7094 for information about online applications.

The deadline for submitting applications is 9 a.m., Monday, April 10. Mail applications to: CAL Scholarships, P.O. Box 1361, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Completed applications can also be dropped off at high school counseling centers or Bizarre Bazaar by 3 p.m., Friday, April 7.

Applicants are reminded to make sure their forms are complete, including the correct CAL cover sheet for their category.

For more information, contact Heather Hellier at 208-255-7094, or email heather@barberhome.com.

February 16-23, 2023

THURSDAY, february 16