The Blaine County Commissioners have approved the first levy project. The grant awarded will contribute to the protection of over 1,000 acres on Flat Top Ranch in Southern, Idaho and sustain a conservation easement that helps to protect an important corridor for pronghorn migration. The money was funded by the Blaine County Land, Water and Wildlife Levy. Read the full article in the Idaho Mt. Express: http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005139865
Last week the Idaho Mt. Express highlighted the effort of the Carey Economic Revitalization Group (CERG) to complete a pavilion aimed at providing travelers, cyclists, and the local community necessary facilities.
To read more on the collaborative process of building the pavilion and the works of CERG read the article Carey economic revitalization group formed: Boyd K. Stocking Pavilion nearing completion
The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is co-sponsoring the 2011 Christmas Bird Count with the Snake River Audubon Society. The Christmas Bird Count is an international effort to count wintering birds in the western hemisphere. Participants of all experience and skill levels are welcome.
Participants should meet at the Craters of the Moon visitor center at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. The visitor center is located 18 miles west of Arco on Highway 20/26/93. Remember to wear boots, warm clothes and bring binoculars and a lunch. You should be prepared to spend the day outside in winter conditions. Snowshoes will be provided if conditions require.
For more information on the Christmas Bird Count program contact John Apel at 208-527-1350 or visit http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAREY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION GROUP IS CERG-ING AHEAD:
It Takes a Community to Raise a Pavilion
Contact: Vonnie Olsen, (208) 823-4330, vonols@frontier.com
Carey, Idaho – November 22, 2011
What does it take to make things happen in a little community like Carey, Idaho? “People support what they help create,” says dedicated community volunteer, Joe Dilworth.
In April 2011, community leaders in Carey began meeting regularly to discuss how they could speed the pace of the community’s economic recovery from the recession. Looking to spur growth and greater resilience in the future, they formed the Carey Economic Revitalization Group (CERG) to enhance the existing natural, economic and social resources, and to build up compatible, productive industries, businesses and events.
CERG is currently building a public pavilion with restrooms and showers on city land adjacent to the Blaine County fairgrounds and, building on generous donations of time and materials from the community, is soliciting contributions to raise the last $15,000 required to complete the project.
Over the summer, CERG identified the lack of public restrooms and showers in the city as a stumbling block to hosting events and attracting visitors to the area, a key component of economic revitalization for the area. The group proposed a public pavilion with these amenities. At the same time, the Little Wood River Irrigation District was looking to establish a memorial for Boyd Stocking who passed away last year. Boyd Stocking, a lifelong resident of Carey, was a long-time employee of the Little Wood River Irrigation District whose expertise continued to be sought after long after he had retired. The community and the District decided to pitch in together to build the pavilion. For Carey, it is a win-win.
The pavilion structure, located adjacent to the city park and the rodeo grounds just west of Highway 93, will serve the Carey community as well as travelers, recreationists, and RV users who visit or pass through the area. The 10×30 foot covered facility includes two restrooms and two showers (both ADA accessible).
The Little Wood Irrigation District generously contributed $30,000 toward materials. According to Jack Barton, Chairman of the Irrigation District, “The board and shareholders of the District agreed that this project would benefit the valley and be a fitting memorial to Boyd
Stocking. As a result, the majority of the District shareholders agreed to provide funding for materials. We are very pleased with the project and look forward to its completion.”
“The pavilion will be a welcome resource for many visitors who in the past have had to travel as much as 60 miles to find public showers and restrooms,” says Vonnie Olsen, who is spearheading CERG efforts and also serves on the Carey city council.
The project has also helped pull the community together. So far, community members have contributed more than 500 hours of volunteer time to the project. Numerous merchants also have offered discounts on supplies.
“I think it is amazing to live in a community like this where we can all work efficiently toward the same goal,” says Dilworth. “I am honored to be part of this project.”
During the last year, CERG has been busy on a number of projects. These include commissioning a report on economic recovery ideas for Carey, beautifying Carey’s Main Street with trees and flowers, and hosting a Spring clean up day. The group is also looking to establish Carey as a gateway community to the area’s public lands.
“It is so gratifying to see neighbors working with each other to make this a better place to live, especially for younger families who are our future,” says Olsen.
CERG is not working alone. The group also is working with the Pioneers Alliance, a coalition of landowners, conservationists, and state and federal agencies working to conserve working farms and ranches, natural areas and wildlife of the Pioneer Mountains and Craters of the Moon region. Joint projects of CERG and the Pioneers Alliance have included sponsoring an annual 40-mile mountain bike tour in the Pioneer Mountains, developing ideas for economic development projects, producing a recreation map for the region and developing partnerships with state and federal agencies.
According to Mike Stevens, coordinator of the Pioneers Alliance, “We are thrilled to be working with people in Carey and surrounding landowners to create new economic opportunities while also protecting the natural and cultural values of the area.”
With the Boyd K. Stocking Pavilion nearing completion, the community is in the last push to raise a final $15,000 to complete the project and is soliciting support from the communities of Carey and Blaine County.
CERG and the City of Carey have created a fund specifically for this project. All donations are 100% tax deductible. If you would like to contribute to this effort, make checks payable to the City of Carey and send them to: City of Carey, 20482 Main Street, Carey, ID 83320.
For more information call or email Vonnie Olsen at (208) 823-4330, vonols@frontier.com.
###
The BLM-Shoshone Field Office is developing a travel management plan for all the public lands it manages north of Highway 20. The planning area includes the Little Wood River and Fish Creek drainages.
An information packet, proposed designations, and maps can be found here.
The BLM is seeking preliminary public comments on the following topics by October 14th 2011:
Email comments to: North_Highway20_Travel_Plan@blm.gov
Mail comments to: BLM Shoshone Field Office; North Highway 20 Travel Plan; 400 West F Street; Shoshone, ID 83352
For more information, contact John Kurtz, Shoshone Field Office Outdoor Recreation Planner, at (208) 732-7200.
The Magic Valley Sage-grouse Local Working Group is seeking comments on their draft conservation plan. Follow this link for more information: http://magicvalley.com/lifestyles/sage-grouse-group-seeks-public-comment/article_14d5278e-9a37-5a08-9a9f-16b83dc7b9a9.html The deadline for comments is Friday, September 16, 2011.
The Blaine County Fair takes place August 10th – 13th hosted at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Carey, Idaho. This event showcases 4-H competitions and exhibits and a variety of fun filled events for all ages! Events begin around 7 am on most days and the entertainment continues until around 8 pm. The fair will have its fill of competition with an archery shoot, two day horse show, rodeos, and animal shows of all kinds.
The Sawtooth Forum and Lecture Series will cover many interesting topics relating to the Sawtooth-Salmon River country.
Tess O’Sullivan, Director of Lava Lake Institute for Science and Conservation, will start off the lecture series on July 8th sharing her research on challenges facing local pronghorn antelope.
Most lectures will be held at 5 pm each Friday at the Stanley Museum and repeated at 8 pm Friday evening at the Redfish Center.
To view other presenters and dates visit the Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association (SIHA) website.
In today’s Idaho Mountain Express there is an article written by Katherine Wutz about the flight Pioneer Alliance recently took with commissioners.
Read the article: Flying high for conservation
Please note, the article incorrectly states that conservation easements are held by the Lava Lake Institute. The Lava Lake Institute doesn’t hold conservation easements. The article should have said that the easements are held by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and The Nature Conservancy.