2015 Summer Newsletter by Wood River Land Trust

Wood River Land Trust Summer 2015

Protecting the heart of the valley...now and for the future. 1

Healthy Land is at the Heart of Healthy Communities A Message from Scott Boettger, Executive Director As a boy growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, I remember a grove of persimmon trees along a creek that ran through my great grandparent’s former farm. We didn’t have parks where I grew up, so family farms were our playgrounds. The persimmons provided shade on a hot summer days, and the creek was a favorite place to swim, fish and just play for me and my cousins growing up. Unfortunately, most of the family farms in that part of the country have disappeared due mostly to suburban sprawl. My great grandmother donated that portion of the farm to her church for a Church Camp. When I was growing up the land transferred many times and suffered from years of unforeseen neglect and my family feared that it too would someday be sold for subdivision. Thankfully a local land trust, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, stepped in to protect that wonderful place. As I reflect on this time in my life, I see that I am a product of my life’s experiences. Wanting to see these places, that meant so much to me and my family, protected inspired me to do what I do today. Thanks to French & Pickering and their dedicated supporters, my boyhood playground is a now a treasured place loved by many. You also see the importance of protecting lands that provide recreational opportunities, and working family farms that help sustain local food supplies and natural resources. In the following pages you will read about the Molyneux family and their conservation success story. How landowners play such an important role in creating special place in our community—and like the Molyneux’s, stewarding that land for generations. We are grateful to the family for seeing the importance of protecting the open space values that make our community so special. Scott Boettger and his son Gunner fishing in Alaska.

Our Valley will continue to grow and change. Protecting local lands and family ranches has become increasingly important. Your support has helped make our progress and achievements possible. Thank you.

N at u r e’s G i f t

Ruddy Copper Butterfly © John Finnell

Don’t Take Nature’s Pollinators OR your Idaho Potato for Granted: Bees, Birds and Butterflies Help Us Eat Have you ever taken a bite of an Idaho russet potato and thought to yourself, “If it weren’t for natural pollinators like the bee or butterfly, I wouldn’t have this potato to eat.” We didn’t think so. But perhaps you should! Generally speaking, some of us take our pollinating friends for granted. Bees, birds and butterflies are the carrier pigeons of the plant world and without them, covert communications are lost— or rather, your yummy Idaho potato is a fond and distant memory. In all seriousness, bees, birds and butterflies help us to eat, and their service is essential for any ecosystem to survive. Without pollinators, crops would not grow, clothing manufacturing would be affected (think cotton), and fruits and veggies would become scarce. With more than 90% of the earth’s flowering plants relying on animal pollinators, planting a pollinator garden can help these little guys do their jobs, and keep Idaho potatoes and other local foods on your table. Besides providing food, pollinator gardens also provide needed home and shelter. It doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need are a few flowering plants and some dirt to get started.

Here are some pollinator-garden tips: 1. Choose native plants and flowers, if available, that bloom at different times of the year and provide a variety of nectar and pollen sources throughout each growing season. 2. Plant an array of native flowers and plants in small masses, with different heights, colors and shapes to attract an assortment of natural pollinators. Planting native flowers and plants attracts native pollinators! 3. Hold off on fall clean-up and leave vegetation intact to provide habitat and a winter food source. Pollinators also affect water quality. Without pollinators, there would be no flowering plants—and plants are one of nature’s water filters. As water passes over a plant, its soil and root system act like a filter. First the plant absorbs the water; then it

filters any contaminates before the water is released back into its environment through a process called transpiration. So the next time you take a drink of clean water or a bite of your Idaho potato or other favorite local vegetable, think of bees, birds and butterflies—our pollinator friends.

Promote Diversity with Suitable & Safe Nesting Habitat Besides providing food, pollinator gardens also provide a safe home for natural pollinators. A few ways to p romote pollinator diversity are to include nesting habitats or materials, and limit insecticide and herbicide use. You can plant moss for hummingbirds to build their nests, or small patches of well-drained soil and sparse vegetation for ground-nesting bees. If you decide to apply chemicals, spot spray in the early morning or late evening when pollinators are least active.

Local Resources for Pollinator Gardens Visit one of the Land Trust’s local Trout Friendly partners, where you can ask questions about native pollinator-promoting plants and flowers: Living Earth Clemens Associates, LLC Native Landscapes Branching Out Sawtooth Botanical Garden GardenSpace Design 3

L an d C o n s e r vat i o n

Molyneux Legacy Project Protecting the Gates of Home Protecting the Gates of Home. © Chase Millemann;

Numerous Wood River Valley Residents recount the first time they saw the green agricultural land ringed by mountains at the base of Timmerman Hill. To John and Kristy Molyneux, it’s always been “the gates of home.” And, they’ve ensured that the view will be there forever by protecting their 600 acres through conservation easements. “John’s folks—Bill and Maxine—wanted to protect their family farm because of the value they hold for agriculture and wildlife,” says Kristy Molyneux. “So, John and I sat down and said, ‘Maybe we should try this too,’ ” continues Kristy. So did other members of the Molyneux family. “The different family members had unique conservation values to protect,” says Kristy. “Bill and Maxine’s ranch contains important wetland habitat along Silver Creek Preserve. Chip and Kathy’s properties near Craters of the Moon contain important wetland habitat and a gateway to the Pioneer Mountains. Billy Molyneux’s ranch contains important land along Silver Creek and the Little Wood River. And, our ranch offers scenic values,” Kristy adds. One thing that all of the ranches have in common is productive agricultural land that that family has worked for generations. A.W. “Bill” and Maxine Molyneux left their Kimberly home in 1952 to homestead a 160-acre parcel 4

near the Hayspur Hatchery. The Wood River Valley offered elbow room they couldn’t find in the Magic Valley, but the ground was as hard as stone in some areas. One of Bill’s brothers starting working the land with a 30-foot bar he dragged behind a two-cylinder, 80 horsepower tractor near the landmark Point of Rocks. Nevertheless, Bill became the first potato farmer in Blaine County, his family subsisting on chickens and the milk from four cows they had brought with them. In time, the Molyneux family also added cattle, hay and barley to their resume, turning the barley into Coors, Miller and Budweiser beer. “My mother always told me, ‘Don’t marry a spud farmer.’ They have one good year out of 10 and it’s a lot of work,” laughs Kristy. Today John and Kristy live in a log home built in 1948 with a mud room chock full of irrigation boots and a front yard that resembles an outdoor museum full of ATVs and tractors. John and Kristy commonly see wildlife on their property. They have counted 11 moose in one day while hauling manure and pronghorn antelope spend summers on the property. John is often in the fields by 6 a.m., finishing up at 10 at night. “I sometimes say I get up March 5th and go to bed October 10th. But it doesn’t seem like work because it’s different every day,” he says.

L an d C o n s e r vat i o n

Kristy added, “When women tell me they go to the gym, I say, ‘C’mon down here for a day or two. We’ll put you to work and get you in shape.’ ” John recalls, “I remember stacking hay on two-wheel tractors. I was a workhorse when it came to using siphon tubes to irrigate the land.” Son Joe got a mechanics degree at college so he could return to work the family farm. “I like that I’m the boss,” says Joe. “It gives me a freedom I wouldn’t have in another job. I have a four-month-old son and I hope he will grow to love the land like I have. I hope he’ll take over for me one of these days.” Years ago, Bill and Kristy could drive on a two-lane Highway 75 all the way to Ketchum without stopping. “There were no stoplights,” says Kristy, who used to ride horses down Hailey’s Main Street. “I remember when they built Woodside—I thought, ‘That’s crazy.’ All that sagebrush—who’s going to build there?” she recalls. Although much of the Wood River Valley has changed since John and Kristy grew up, their little oasis has remained unscathed. “Often there’s a lot of pressure put on farmers and ranchers to develop their land. Now the Molyneux family won’t be pressured,” says Keri York, the Land Trust Director of Conservation. The Molyneux family worked with the Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy to secure their conservation easements. The easements protect the conservation values of the properties from development and other activities that harm farmland, wildlife habitat, and water resources. Each Molyneux family maintains ownership and use of their land. The funding John and Kristy received from their conservation easements helped them purchase the nearby Spring of Gladness Ranch, which boasts a healthy population of Sandhill Cranes. The Land Trust helped the Molyneux family apply for matching funds from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. We also helped the family secure funds through the Blaine County Land, Water and Wildlife Program, which involved public hearings before the Blaine County Commission. “We’re in a perfect place with green grass and blue sky,” says Kristy, contentedly. “Where else would we want to be? We’re so happy that this land is protected for future generations.” top to bottom: John and Kristy Molyneux; John’s parents A.W. “Bill” and Maxine Molyneux; John with his grandson Jaxon; Joe Molyneux at his family’s ranch.

O u t o n t h e lan d

Saturday Morning Birding School by Lisa Huttinger

Robin Garwood calls out—“vesper sparrow!”

I swallow my pride and raise my binoculars to try again.

I look everywhere at once, and, seeing nothing, eagerly ask her, “where???” Sparrows are hard—I want to get a good look. Robin replies that she heard it singing.

We work our way north through Rock Creek. That first stop holds another treat—greater sage grouse. It is past breeding season, so we weren’t hopeful we’d see them today—and in fact, it’s once again our ears that lead us to the birds. We hear the “hiccup-gurgle-plop” of the male grouse mating call. Terry is over the moon—this is one of the birds that Rock Creek was specifically conserved to protect.

Singing? I hadn’t heard a single peep. Birding with people who are really good is an exercise in awe and humility. It’s also the best way to improve your skills. And today’s trip out Rock Creek is also serving an important purpose—a team of us are here on a quarterly visit to record all of the birds present on the 10,400-acre Rock Creek Ranch. Rock Creek is home to many special species of birds, and regular bird counts let us gauge how they are doing. They are also a great indicator of the health of the entire preserve. Today, Robin and I are joined by Kathleen Cameron, Terry Gregory, Dave Spaulding, Poo Wright-Pulliam and Keri York. 6

We’re just at our first stop; so, for the sake of the birds,

Our journey takes us through amazing diversity in just 11 miles. We visit wet meadows, sagebrush expanses, beaver ponds, creeks and aspen stands. Each place holds a new discovery. House wrens dart in and out of nesting cavities in aspen to feed their young. Swainson’s hawks and golden eagles soar overhead. At an open expanse of sage brush, Keri gives a shout of glee. A short-eared owl (one of the few owls that hunt by day) is putting on a show, twisting and dipping low over the sage. It’s a “life” bird for Keri—the first she’s ever seen.

O u t o n t h e lan d

Rock Creek Update You may have Heard that the legislature did not approve funding for Fish and Game to purchase Rock Creek Ranch this spring. Rock Creek is a small piece of a larger political disagreement between those two groups. You’ve protected Rock Creek, and that hasn’t changed. We are working on a new plan that will meet the same goals—open space, recreation, and intact habitat for wildlife. As a part of that plan, we’ve joined with our partner, The Nature Conservancy, to hire a preserve manager for the summer. Stay tuned for more updates!

Our last stop brings one more surprise. We quietly approach a beaver pond. If you know your bird calls, you can do well in these areas, because they are filled with secretive birds that hide in the reeds. Suddenly, Kathleen exclaims (as much as she can in a whisper) “sora!” This elusive bird is rarely seen, but today all of us get a great look as it meanders through the shallows. It’s a funny little bird, with a bright yellow bill that seems larger than its head. In all, we see 45 species of birds—along with ground squirrels, coyotes, Nuttall’s rabbits, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer. There are hugs all around after the morning’s adventures. These generous people are kind and patient teachers. I leave the day with my confidence restored, and knowing we’ve made a difference for this special place.

You Can Join the Team! Contact me if you’d like to hone your own skills with a birding trip out at Rock Creek. lhuttinger@ woodriverlandtrust.org or 208-788-3947.

Images counterclockwise from left: A sora swimming in a beaver pond out Rock Creek © John Finnell; Rock Creek bird survey volunteers from left: former Land Trust board secretary Robin Garwood, Director of Conservation Keri York, and Poo Pulliam, David Spaulding, Kathleen Cameron and Terry Gregory. © Lisa Huttinger; Rock Creek Ranch Barn © John Finnell

H e a r t o f t h e Vall e y

Heart of the Valley 11th Annual Heart of the Valley Contest Generously Sponsored by

With his head popping out of the water like a child waiting for an answer to a curious question, an elusive river otter made his photographic debut—captured by student photographer Mason Johnson. Lucky for us and thanks to Mason, this childlike river dweller is a contributor to the Land Trust’s Eleventh Annual Heart of the Valley (HoV) contest. Mason and his “Curious Sentry” earned second place, as the Land Trust’s judges have a soft-spot for cute, photogenic river creatures. This year’s contest successes are largely defined by the strength of an ongoing alliance with Zions Bank. With their support, Zions Bank provided the Land Trust the opportunity to continue this creative and insightful tradition for its eleventh year and counting. “At Zions Bank, we’ve been a long-time supporter of the arts and cultural events because they make our communities stronger, more vibrant and more enjoyable,” says Zions market area president Tracy Groll. “We’re proud to support the HoV contest because it encourages creative expression while highlighting the elements that make the Wood River Valley a great place to live, work and play.” Each year for more than a decade, our Land Trust community has gotten in touch with its creative side—illustrating through a camera lens or pen and paper, how they see and feel about our special places in and near the Valley. Scott Boettger, Executive Director, hopes this creative mission continues, “We hope the HoV contest continues to serve as a catalyst to nature, encouraging young and old, and professional photographers and poets to get out on the land 8

Student Second Place, “The Curious Sentry” © Mason Johnson.

and be inspired by the amazing scenery our Valley and surrounding areas have to offer.” He continues, “Each year we can’t wait until the photographs start pouring in so we can see the Valley through their eyes, from their perspectives.” The “eighth natural wonder,” some would say, is an infinite swarm of brown drakes during a hatch at Silver Creek—trying desperately not to get gulped up by a rainbow trout, as implied in first place professional photo “Drakes at Creek” by Todd Kaplan. With our 12th year in sight, the hope is that our natural surroundings and breathtaking landscapes, especially the “eighth wonder” known as the brown drake hatch, continue to inspire and awe future generations in this conservation-minded community, in person and through photography and prose.

Professional First Place, “Drakes at Creek” © Todd Kaplan

H e a r t o f t h e Vall e y

PHOTOS: top to bottom, left to right: student First Place, “Slow Waters” © Luke Rizzo; student Staff Favorite, Untitled © Andy Andrade; non-professional First Place, “Ridge Runner” © Hank Dart; non-professional Second Place, “Skijoring” © Terry Afdem; non-professional Staff Favorite, “Silver Creek Horseshoe” © Chad Chorney; professional Second Place, “Rainbow” © Todd Kaplan; professional Staff Favorite, “Trail Creek Exploring” © Matt Leidecker.

First place, Adult prose Refuge By Summer Gilmore Two fishermen wade in waist-deep waters of the Big Wood River before casting their rods, their poles catching the glint of the sun’s rays. As they make their way home north toward the Boulders and Baldy, the radio broadcasts news of an earthquake in Nepal, recounting little besides grim guesses and sobering statistics of the number injured and dead. A woman rises early, in conjunction with the sun, and pulls on either her hiking boots or running shoes, depending on her mood and the season, favoring Quigley Canyon one morning and Greenhorse Gulch the next. She stirs to meet the day, no matter the weather, to run, hike, or bike, hoping to find respite from reports of racial unrest in the Midwest one week and the constant coverage of unending crisis in the Middle East the next. Two locals meet for the first time as they come together to celebrate a wedding. In the seasons that follow, through fall’s foliage and spring’s showers, the two grow close and then closer and eventually marry. Now, as they wait for summer, they wait, too, for a child: their baby boy is to be born soon. Throughout the passing days, months, and years, locals are not immune to the world’s biggest news, warnings of global warming, predictions of the next presidential election, or reports of the latest economic recession. Yet they know, in this valley of the Big Wood River, they can at least seek some refuge.

H e a r t o f t h e Vall e y First place, student prose A Blunder by Kiran Merchant Immaculate complexion to a creek Hard lines of life blurred soft by water’s edge A ripple forms and makes hard lines seem weak Small stones displaced most rudely from a ledge What seemed a battle march is now a blunder A proud stag’s gait now like a doe’s first dance A sudden rush of vision makes one wonder If swift creek far below holds room for chance

New Faces: Interns Provide Much Needed Help in Busy Summer Months

Andrew Bushnell

For 17 summers running, the Land Trust has welcomed an array of personalities into our office for 12 weeks out of the year. Andrew Bushnell and Jack Henderson, our newest additions, arrived only weeks ago. They have already participated in numerous internship tasks, including easement monitoring, program and events support and preserve maintenance. “Most of the preserve maintenance and monitoring conservation easements happens during the short summer months and the added support is essential,” says Chad Stoesz, Stewardship Coordinator. “Andrew and Jack both demonstrate a hard work ethic and are committed to doing a tremendous job for the Land Trust. They’re a great addition to our stewardship team.” Thanks to your support, the Land Trust is able to give its interns a comprehensive introduction to the non-profit sector, as well as the opportunity to develop professional skills and interests. “We look forward to the summer and the arrival of our interns. The internship program is designed to help them become advocates for conservation,” explains Scott Boettger, Executive Director. “We challenge them and raise their skills in the hope they will be part of the future of land conservation.” Andrew Bushnell is currently working on his Master’s in Environmental Science and Public Affairs 10

So one sits still as stone upon the shore To turn one’s head reaps only glaring grins Behind, the sense, the feel, of thousands more Held in the smiles of just a dozen friends In front of you a chance for glory, fame Or turn around and meet perplexion, rage In front of you legs broken, useless, lame Or turn around and treat home like a cage Abandonment hurts worse than broken limb So jump! into cold water on a whim

Jack Henderson

at Indiana University. His love for conservation brought him to Idaho last summer where he worked in the Frank Church Wilderness Area. When questioned, “How were your eyes opened to the fragility of our surroundings and the necessity to protect them?” Andrew pauses and with a grin on his face says, “It was during my time in the Frank Church Wilderness that I discovered the mountains, fishing and the beauty of Central Idaho.” He continues, “I looked forward to coming back to Idaho again this summer to work for an organization committed to saving open spaces.” After school, Andrew hopes to work for a conservation organization that helps preserve the wild places in the West. Jack Henderson graduated in May from Appalachian State University where he studied geography, GIS and recreation management. When asked, “What event or person connected you to the great outdoors?” Jack replies, “When I was younger, my dad and the Boy Scouts were my first main connection to the outdoors. We would go on hiking and camping trips all over North Carolina.” Jack’s interest in conservation peaked when he took basic environmental classes, highlighting the need for open-space conservation and natural resource management in the southern Appalachian region. Outside of work, Jack enjoys mountain biking, running, kayaking and exploring the mountains.

O rgan i z at i o n

This newsletter is published by Wood River Land Trust 119 E. Bullion Street, Hailey, ID 83333 Tel: 208-788-3947 Fax: 208-788-5991 www.WoodRiverLandTrust.org

Images from far left: “Germania Creek” © Todd Kaplan Andrew Bushnell high in the Bighorn Crags in the Frank Church Wilderness Area; Jack Henderson in Banff National Park; Jennie preparing to release bio-control control insects at Howard Preserve. Jennie Newman

Introducing Jennie Newman, Development & Project Assistant Former Stewardship Intern Joins the Land Trust When the Land Trust needed additional help at the end of 2014, Jennie Newman, the Land Trust’s 2013 stewardship intern, was transitioning from Montana back to Idaho and kindly stepped in to help. After months of assisting the development team, as well as the Trout Friendly program, Jennie was the obvious match for the new development/project assistant position. We are so grateful she accepted!

“I was particularly thankful Jennie was available to help when it was needed most. More importantly, she is familiar our corporate culture, as well as our programs and procedures,” says Marketing and Events Coordinator Jill Wenglikowski. “Her help was immeasurable during the year-end crunch and we are happy to have her here indefinitely.” Jennie is an Idaho native with a Master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho. She has taught environmental education and worked in the field in a variety of locations in the West, including Moab, Aspen and McCall, to name a few. Before becoming the Land Trust’s development and project assistant, Jennie served as program coordinator for the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association in Stanley, Idaho. Jennie’s outdoor pursuits range from hiking, biking, backpacking and rafting, to snowboarding and climbing.

WRLT is a public benefit Idaho c ompany and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to WRLT are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Public financial information is available on our website or by contacting our office. Editor: Jill Wenglikowski Writers: Staff & Guest, Karen Bossick Designed by Penfield Stroh Printed by Express Printing Front Cover: Yellow Breasted Chat © by John Finnell BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Anderson, President Richard Carr, Vice President David Woodward, Treasurer Kathie Levison, Secretary Rick Davis John French Trent Jones Jack Kueneman Rebecca Patton Wolf Riehle Dan Smith Megan Stevenson Steve Strandberg STAFF Scott Boettger, Executive Director Andrew Bushnell, Stewardship Intern Jack Henderson, Stewardship Intern Lisa Huttinger, Development Manager Patti Lousen, Project Coordinator Jennie Newman, Development & Project Assistant Chad Stoesz, Stewardship Coordinator Jill Wenglikowski, Marketing & Events Coordinator Keri York, Director of Conservation

Wood River Land Trust protects and restores land, water, and wildlife habitat in the Wood River Valley and its surrounding areas. We work cooperatively with private landowners and local communities to ensure these areas are protected now and for future generations.

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