“Bear Track” Williams Area: Public
450 acres of fishing preserve along the Little Wood River, donated by Ernest Hemingway’s family in honor of his favorite fishing guide, Taylor “Bear Track” Williams.
Our Historical Impact in Idaho
Preservation begins with people. Pick a spot, any spot in the State of Idaho. Give it a special effect—exciting geology, beautiful scenery, fine fishing, farm or ranch land, parkland or open space. If possible, give it some breathing space and not too many buildings or crowded areas. These settings represent the makings of a land trust.
By the end of our 50th year (2022), we have:
– Collaborated with Idaho Parks & Rec to create 1,700 acres of public land
– Preserved 7,431 acres in agricultural easements to restore grazing lands and enhance wildlife habitat
– Protected over 1,500 acres as untouched natural spaces
It would be impossible to rank the accomplishments of the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands in order of importance, but in chronological order of acceptance, here is a sampling of our most significant land projects to date:
1973
1975
Harriman East: Public
1000 acres adjoining the Railroad Ranch in Island Park, known as Harriman East; home of the trumpeter swan and the blue-ribbon Henry’s Fork fishery; held by the foundation until 1994. Donated by E. Roland and W. Averell Harriman.
1975
Veteran’s Memorial State Park: Public
Boise Cascade Lake, 35 acres in Veteran’s Memorial State Park. Transferred to Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation in 1977 as one of three Bicentennial State Parks.
1977
Reinheimer Ranch: Protected
Reinheimer Ranch, received by bequest of Eleanor Reinheimer: 110 acres to be maintained as open space adjacent to the cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley. This property lies between Dollar Mountain and the River Run base of Bald Mountain.
1978
Barber Pool Conservation Area: Protected
411 acres containing significant wildlife and habitat values, located within six miles of downtown Boise. Donated by Boise Cascade. Chosen as one of the state’s 12 unique ecosystems and a Boise City Heritage Site.
1980
Dollar Mountain: Protected
One acre on the top of Dollar Mountain, donated by Elkhorn at Sun Valley for the “Buy an Inch…Save an Acre” campaign.
1980
Warm Springs Golf Course: Public
28 acres, a portion of Warm Springs Golf Course transferred to the city of Boise Parks and Recreation Department in 1992. Donated by Orida Investments.
1981
Smith Ranch: Protected
11 acres of scenic easement to operate as a buffer to the Barber Pool Conservation Area.
1981
Ruth Rowell Modie Wildlife Park: Public
A natural habitat corridor held and transferred to the city of Lewiston in 2006. Donated by Don Modie.
1982
River’s Edge Ranch: Protected
55 acres of River’s Edge Ranch: a benchmark nature preserve on the Big Wood River adjacent to Sun Valley and Ketchum, donated by Helen M. Fassett.
1982
Lake Fork Creek: Protected
51.5 acre tract along Lake Fork Creek near McCall providing a permanent niche for birds, animals and flora, donated by Nelle Tobias.
1987
Open Space for American Falls: Public
11.7 acres destined for use as a park or permanent open space for the city of American Falls, donated by the Warrick family; re-conveyed in 2004.
1989
Veteran’s Centennial Park: Public
16 acres on Fernan Hill donated anonymously, being held for the city of Coeur d’Alene as the future Veteran’s Centennial Park. Transferred to the Coeur d’Alene Park Foundation in 2006.
1989
Plantation Island: Protected
8.6 acre Boise River Island donated as part of the Settlement Agreement for the Boise River Greenbelt by Gregory Jackson and Sheila Smith. Potential exchange property and of value to the public by accommodating bridge and trail construction for Boise River Greenbelt.
1990
Salmon River East Fork: Protected
321-acre Conservation Easement of the East Fork of the Salmon River, donated by the Insinger family. Current owners are Ken Ryan, Pocatello and Robert Kopf, Pennsylvania.
1992
McDevitt Youth Sports Complex: Public
39 acres transferred to the City of Boise in 1993.
1994
Axline Conservation Easement: Protected
50 acres crosscut by the confluence of Challis and Bear Creeks, donated by Keith and Patricia Axline.
1998
Link Conservation Easement: Protected
141 acres of significant natural, agricultural and open space resources in Hansen donated by Peter M. Link. Owned currently by Brent Funk
2003
Crosstimber Ranch: Protected
This historic barn and two residential lots it resides on in Creekside at Crosstimber Ranch Subdivision in Garden Valley was donated by Jon L. and Mimi Barnes.
2006 and 2007
Harris Ranch Conservation Easement: Protected
23 acres, 13 of which are wetlands, preserved via Conservation Easement by the Harris Family Limited Partnership.
2008
Elliott Creek: Protected
191-acre Conservation Easement of riparian wetlands and associated uplands providing habitat for a diversity of wildlife species
2008 and 2009
Prometierra: Protected
427 acres Conservation Easement known as Sky Mountain Ranch located in the Driggs area. This was historically part of the Drake Homestead established in 1889, and was donated by Richard and Susan Richardson owners of Prometierra LLC.
2019
Gregerson Property in Barber Valley: Protected
The property was covered with discarded cars, tires, machinery and mining equipment. Instead of being developed into yet another massive subdivision, this 36 acre parcel of land – with nearly a mile of river frontage – will now be restored and protected.
1/1/2019
18 Mile Ranch: Protected
TR Shelbu donated the 18 Mile Ranch in memory of his late wife, Emily Stone. The generous gift of lands comes with TR’s wish to preserve the 7,180-acre property as a working ranch while continuing to support more than 20 years of conservation to restore grazing lands and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.
