wood

river
land
trust

Protecting the heart of

the valley...now
and for the future.
presents

Winning Writings & Photographs of the 6th Annual Heart of the Valley Contest

Spo ns o r ed by:

P r i z e s g e n e ro usly donated by:

W i n n i ng P hotography will be on P ho t o gr ap hy J udge s: R e c e p ti on

d i s p l ay at the following location s : Joshua Wells Vo lun teer s :
February 12 - 19 Tod Hamachek Linda Lynch
Blagojce Gallery in Walnut Avenue Mall, Ketchum Claudia Fiaschetti Jennifer Montgomery
Carrie Schink
February 20 - March 1 W r i t i n g J udge s: Katie Van Hees
Zaney’s River Street Coffee House on River Street, Hailey Dana DuGan Gail Wenger
Sabina Dana Plasse Rene White
March 1 - 8 Karen Bossick Nancy Winton
Penelope’s in the Galleria Building Atrium, Ketchum

March 8 - 15 do n ’ t m i ss: Reading by Writing Winners

Bank of America Lobby, Main Street, Ketchum Feb 21, 4 - 6pm at Iconoclast Books Ketchum on Sun Valley Rd.

Visit us online www. w o o d r i v e r l a n d t r u s t. o r g and see what we have planned!


15
er Land
d Riv T TABLE O F C ONTENTS
o
r us
Wo
1994 years
2009
of pr
abita
cti
ote
eh
ng li
land, w r & wild
ate
Letter From the
Executive Director,
Sc o t t B o e t t g e r
Dear Friends of Wood River Land Trust,
We are pleased to present the Heart of the Valley
contest again this year. Now in its 6th year, the
contest attracts entries that just keep getting bet-
ter and better and the quality of this year’s col-
lection is unmatched. I want to thank all of our
sponsors, prize donors, and participants.
Our theme this year was water: How the
waters of our valley inspire and nurture you—
whether you are on the water or in it, viewing it
from a distance or just as far as the end of your
fishing rod. All of the contestants creatively cap-
tured their sentiments through words and images.
As the Land Trust enters its 16th year of land
protection, we also continue to be inspired by the
waters of the Big Wood River and its tributaries.
We have restored streambanks, wetlands, and
riparian areas along the river, and now have two
new major restoration projects underway. The
first is at Hulen Meadows, north of Ketchum; the
other is at Lions Park and the Draper Wood River
Preserve in Hailey and will include a boardwalk
and wetland overlook. You can “buy” an inch,
foot or yard of the boardwalk to help us complete
this great project and leave your mark. For more
information or to make a donation to this or other
Land Trust projects, please visit our website.
We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Scott Boettger
6th Annual Heart of the Valley Contest
1st Place Adult Photography, Reels on the Big Wood
t
by Timur & Justine Beriker...................................................front cover
1st Place Adult Writing, One More River to Cross by Robin Sias............2
t
2nd Place Adult Photography, Little Fish byTerry Afdem......................3
f
2nd Place Adult Writing, Seasons on Silver Creek
by Rose Rumball-Petre................................................................................. 4
3rd Place Adult Photography, Recharge by Bass Sears..........................5
3rd Place Adult Writing, An Aqueous Canticle by Lee Brown......... 6 - 7
Staff Favorite Adult Writing, Nature Nurture by Michael Sewell...........8
Staff Favorite Adult Photography, Feet by Bass Sears...........................9
1st Place Student Writing, A Storm of My Wildest Wishes
by Lisa Laurel Hart.............................................................................10
1st Place Student Photography, Caught by a Fly by Jon Atkinson.......11
2nd Place Student Writing, My Daily Shower by Eric Williamson........12
2nd Place Student Photography, Out by Beautiful Eagle Creek
by Ella Guy..........................................................................................13
3rd Place Student Writing, The River Is My Soul by Jim Williams.........14
3rd Place Student Photography, Big Wood River by Oliver Guy..........15
Staff Favorite Student Writing, Ice on the Water
by Brooke L. Lawrence......................................................................16
Staff Favorite Student Photography, Indian Creek Rainbow
by Nate Thomas.................................................................................17
Wood River Land Trust Current Project Spotlight: Draper Wood River
Preserve and Croy Creek Wetland Boardwalk..................................18
Wood River Land Trust Current Project Spotlight: Hulen Meadows
Floodplain Management Project.........................................................19
Wood River Land Trust: Our mission, board and staff.......................20
Other Photography Entries................................................................21
1st Place Adult Photography, Reels on the Big Wood (pictured on cover)
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s :
My husband, Timur Beriker, has no idea that I am entering his amateur pho-
tography in this contest. You see, my husband, like most in this valley, works
very hard to support his family. Whenever he can carve out a moment for
himself and his loved ones, he heads to the river or a nearby lake to: camp,
fish, laugh, swim, admire, boat, relax, listen, see. The doe grazing at Redfish
Lake around the time that we started to cook dinner, the lonely canoes re-
tired on the beach at sundown on Stanley Lake and the rods and reels that
give my husband so much pleasure as he catches those beautiful trout – these
are memories of why life is good here in the Wood River Valley. Reminders
of why he left the crowded city 13 years ago to raise his three children in the
middle of what really counts in life. The waters in this valley inspire him and
he inspires me.
Thank you, Justine Beriker
2 1 s t P l ac e A d u lt W r i t i n g

One More River to Cross by Robin Sias

It wasn’t until the sun bounced off the Big Wood River directly into
the scratched plane window that I considered, even for a moment,
that things might, just might be okay.
We had been traveling for seven hours, my three young children and
me. The trip began in Connecticut well before dawn, a trip we had
made many times before. But today was different. Today our tickets
were one-way; the start of a journey that everyone called a fresh start,
whatever that was, from a divorce that had torn us asunder.
Suddenly, there it was. Curving through the Bellevue farmland,
swollen in late June run-off, glinting in the midday sun. I could feel
the pull of the current against my legs. I smelled the slightly mineral
river smell. I breathed my first breath of the trip. We were home.
I first set a felt-soled boot in that river in 1983. Most people come to
Sun Valley to ski. My family came here to fish. At 13, I’d never been
on a ski lift, but I had been plodding around rivers, rod in hand, for
years. My father used to only half-kiddingly advise me, “You’ll need
to know how to fish so you can go with your husband.” I do, and I
did, and I actually taught him to fly-fish. But so much for that.
The last stop on a sweep of western trout rivers, Sun Valley’s legend-
ary waters drew us in and kept us coming back. I, a recalcitrant teen,
initially spent as much time sitting on the banks of the river, a bikini
top under my waders, a book in my hand, stubbornly not fishing.
But that made me love the river even more. Catching is satisfying.
But wading, casting and even just sitting, staring and listening,
eclipse a fish on the end of a line.
The older I got, and the more time I spent in the Valley, the louder
became the call of the rivers. Trail Creek and Copper Basin. The Big
Lost. Different waters, equally mesmerizing. The first time I stood
waist-deep in the strong pull of the Big Lost and looked up at that
mountain range, I knew that someday, I had to live here. North of
town, south of town, above the reservoir and magical, mystical Sil-
ver Creek. Rivers that disappear into mythical underground caves,
rivers of no return.
My Ketchum kids will be river kids. They understand the stillness
of the river, even though it is constantly flowing. They appreciate its
meandering purpose and its sense of play as it eddies and circles back
upon itself, never in a hurry. They somehow intrinsically already
know the peace that first glimpse of river provides.
When I glimpsed the rhythmic waters of the river as we approached
the airport, I trusted it. The rivers would cauterize the wounds. They
would wash away sins and baptize new beginnings. The running wa-
ter would ground us and listen to us and give us its gifts.

2 n d P l a c e A d u l t p h o t o g r a p h y: Little Fish by Terry Afdem

3
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s : The pristine waters of the Wood River Valley are clear and cold, great for
photographing fish. In this shot, thousands of juvenile fish form an intriguing pattern.
4 2 n d P l ac e A d u lt W r i t i n g
Seasons on Silver Creek by Rose Rumball-Petre
I walk Silver Creek in winter—on the banks, snow hugs straw-col-
ored grasses tight. Later, thin, translucent, occasionally opaque ice
thickens along the edges and sometimes in the middle. A solitary
northern harrier springs from an adjacent cottonwood in pursuit
of a vole, as the vole frantically looks for the next entrance to its
tunnel under the snow. Trout are less commonly seen under the
bridge now. Occasional fly fishermen sweep their lines from below
the nearby highway bridge. The days change from icy winds whip-
ping around muff-wrapped ears, to bitter cold marked by warming
sun, to a whirl of snowflakes lighting my path. Last week, as the
day warmed, fog-generated hoarfrost fell like snow from thickened
white branches. Darkness comes early and dawn slowly. Mid-day
walks are a must.
I walk Silver Creek in spring, scaring two Pintails from their floating
reverie. Later, a mallard guides five, no six, ducklings trailing behind
her under the bridge beneath my feet. I have canoed Silver Creek
in spring, staring up as twin great-horned owlets looked down from
their nest tree on the bank. In this season of bright grass, the north-
ern harrier nests unseen, in unplowed fields nearby. Thin-leaved
willow green unfurls as the tree drops catkins, while tiny warblers
with yellow flecks perch and flutter among the branches, like leaves.
I follow a willet and his mate along the road flying from fencepost to
fencepost in pursuit of the creek ahead. In the Camas Prairie a year
3 r d P l a c e A d u l t p h o t o g r a p h y:
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s : After the boisterous summer, a quiet winter river gives itself – and its visitors – a chance
to relax and recharge before the coming flush of spring.
ago, I watched as four young willets trailed their mother through the
grassy dark waters and I wonder if this pair nests there too.
I walk Silver Creek on a summer afternoon, watching canoeists slid-
ing through dark waters. The creek is dotted with fly fisherman
perched along the edges and in the midst. I have swum Silver Creek
in summer, my body feeling both the hot summer sun and the cold
spring water as it was caressed, sometimes entangled by the thick
grasses. On another morning, a friend marvels in the cool dawn at a
willow flycatcher repeatedly capturing his prey on the wing while we
stare entranced through our binoculars. As a Virginia rail, hidden in
the brush, buzzes, a tiny marsh wren alights on a cattail, and a blue
dragonfly soars and dips overhead. I realize the creek is alive—with
insects, birds and people.
I walk Silver Creek in fall, noticing how the oxbow bend turns in-
ward, even as life on the edges does the same. The season changes,
marked by the disappearance of barn swallows, nesting under the
bridge, that have been catching insects above the waters since early
spring. A muskrat pokes his nose above the water, and then sub-
merges, leaving only ripples. On another journey, a moose and her
calf rise slowly from the next bend, while I, unobserving, pass by
and my daughter runs up to tell me about them. Maybe my op-
portunity will come another day.
Recharge by Bass Sears
5
6 3 r d P l ac e A d u lt W r i t i n g

An Aqueous Canticle by Lee Brown

On the day I was born, FDR was president, Pearl Harbor peaceful,
and tourists were arriving at Sun Valley’s recently opened Challenger
Inn. Yes, since that day I have been awed, inspired, and nurtured by
two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Even more importantly,
it has been my good fortune to be the pupil of a patient tutor---the
oceans & rivers of the world and the streams & springs of the Wood
River Valley. As life is formed in the amniotic environment of mom’s
reservoir, we remained touched by water in ways never fully under-
stood such as the deep pleasure of a hot shower. Casting the net
wider, however, suggests larger lessons about life are offered by the
aqueous world if we are but receptive to this gift.
Water as Solid ~ December 1967
All elements of a vintage “Warren Miller Day” are present: spectacu-
lar cobalt windless sky, squeaking fresh snow, and minus five. My
wife takes the single chair in front of me and begins the ascent up
River Run. Half-way across the Big Wood River, the lift stops so
abruptly our chairs oscillate in syncopated fashion making us ap-
pear as bungee jumpers coming perilously close to the swift cur-
rent. Nervously, we make idle chatter in the futile effort to combat
growing numbness until, mercifully, the cable tugs again. Once on
top, Kneissel Red Stars are pointed down toward the outdoor hand-
warmer at Round House. Remaining in long-thongs, frozen hands
are thrust into the hot air where the mixed blessing of returning
circulation and pain so blurs my senses it takes a moment to realize
the man across from me is likely the next American president. As
if on cue, Robert Kennedy turns and sprints up the Round House
stairs not knowing in a short time his fate will be the same as his
older brother.
Water as Liquid - October 1996
My hydrologic work is focused entirely on Silver Creek. Paul Todd,
close pal and Conservancy Manager, and I launch the canoe at Stalk-
er Bridge to begin the annual fall survey of salmonid “reds.” We
alternate who stands and counts with who paddles and steers. Just
above the Wilson Creek confluence, the reverie of a glorious autum-
nal day is broken abruptly by a low branch which so clobbers me I
take Paul and all equipment into the ice cold stream.
Water as Vapor – August 2007
As a younger man, scrambling in and out of streams festooned with
heavy instruments wasn’t a concern. Today, even though I won’t
admit it, not only is agility an issue but I’m also losing the ability
to multi-task. Nightfall is coming, and all I want to do is complete
the last flow measurement. Sting and I park the aging Toyota FJ40
near an entry point to the Cove Canal that is easy but upstream of
the survey site. Stinger is alert and looking intently toward Gannett
Road; since his “Setterness” is always pointing I dismiss it with a
shrug and enter the water. The ditch becomes more incised so by
the time the site is reached, fast moving water is waist high. Ham-
mering in the tape’s anchor, something causes me to look up the

near-vertical bank where Sting’s gaze is unflinchingly westward. In a

WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST
Protecting the Heart of the Valley
Now and for the Future
gut-wrenching flash, it’s clear what he has known all along, a storm
cell is almost upon us and I have not sensed the approaching light-
ening. A quick and desperate assessment reveals that even if instru-
ments are abandoned the bank is too clay-slimed steep for escape.
Stinger looks down at me the white around his otherwise brown eyes
signaling fear; odd, I think, because while he loves gunfire he hates
thunder. Peril is both obvious and close; surrounded by my life’s
work, all we can do is await the outcome.

Lessons Learned
Rivers parallel life. Always in a cycle, freshet creeks are born pure
in high mountains where, like children, they are vivacious, non-
productive, and self-centered little “takers.” On the other end, the
terminal delta is where the aged become slow and polluted, shal-
low and braided, yet generous “givers” moving inexorably toward
a larger destiny. In between these extremes is where things become
interesting as streams morph into deep and powerful rivers whose
countenance becomes productive, perhaps even dangerous. It is
during this reach where the un-expected is commonplace and things
can change in an instant.

b o x c a r b e n d p r e s e r v e : This restored area

along the river is a beautiful stopping point along the bike
path and is one of the most popular fishing dtru
an
access points on the Big Wood River. See
iverl

st
.org

more
dr

woo

www.woodriverlandtrust.org online!
7
8 s t a ff f a v o r i t e A d u l t W r i t i n g
Nature Nurture by Michael Sewell
Across the street, near a beat up concrete bridge sits our dog park and
a small meandering creek, a tributary to the great Big Wood. I go
here to shed my teacher role and be a student for awhile. Nature and
flowing water in particular has always been a mentor to me. Tonight,
the lecture is about my students.
I position myself on a teetering rock that stabs my thigh with cold-
ness. Back off. The shore is clear of snow, but still uncomfortable
and awkward.
The water trickles, like an entryway to a grand hotel. I am reminded
of the honey butter scones from Warm Springs Restaurant and won-
der if they’ll come back. Mmmm…Focus.
The trickling tickles like soft, distant giggles. I’m lured to the edge.
Rocks below the surface sit quietly, frozen fish, perfectly content,
not uttering a sound. Muted shades of algae-covered orange, purple,
red, silver. Most rest quietly obedient, waiting for time to pass. The
spring will bring a roar of excitement, muddy their view with gallons
and gallons of possibility.
A whitecap catches my eye and my ear. It is bravado, speaking his
mind with confidence and a touch of disrespect. Shouting droplets
out, it longs for attention. Look at me. Notice me.
Along the shore I go, observing, trying my best to absorb. Be the
student. Walk my talk. Listen.
The distant barking distracts me. A dark wool hat rushes by. Three
black poodles gallop in my periphery. A cow dog pants and slurps.
Focus.
s t a ff f a v o r i t e A d u l t p h o t o g r a p h y:
I continue to walk. A small eddy with a winter leaf makes my heart
ache. Round and round it goes. Getting nowhere. No chance to
escape. Hopeless.
With the sun nearly gone, I turn downstream. Alpine glow hits the
faraway mountain tops, years away. Here, in front of me, are a mil-
lion shades of gray trying to find their hue.
My new angle offers complexity, depth, and shadows. That boister-
ous boulder now looks gentle and serene. Simply trying to fit in.
The banks gently guide, like parents.
A broken chunk of earth sits ragged and torn just above the eddy.
Roots stick out like drunk, fractured bones. This is what the eddy
looks up to. I am relieved to see the leaf is gone.
Gingerly, I reach into the frigid, running pool and gasp. I hold a
handful of dark stones closely. The algae easily slides away. The
colors are surprisingly vibrant and detailed. Maroon laced with
black webs. Alabaster crystal. Sandy gray with a perfect white ring.
Remarkable. Inspiring. Individuals. I keep them in my pocket for
awhile and hope I make a difference.
Back at the bridge, that steady trickle, like energy buzzing, mur-
murs with excitement. They’re ready to go. I skip a stone and hear
it laugh. I toss the rest and they splash playfully, like a sea of gradu-
ation caps in the air. I smile, imagining where they will land, where
they will go. And as always, I marvel at my teacher.
Feet by Bass Sears
photographer
c o mm e n t s :
Some days it’s best to leave
the high-tech baggage behind
and simply enjoy a cool, free
flowing river, $5 sandals, and
your own two feet.
9
10
A Storm of my Wildest Wishes by Lisa Laurel Hart
Pulsing with power, a mighty storm has consumed the valley. Rid-
ing the micro-burst, a series of ghostly wolves howl more breaths of
wind. The old gray house shakes, and I sit enjoying every moment,
with an orange fire crackling and popping, and my fuzzy warm
blanket wrapped around me. Curled contentedly on the couch, I
watch steam rise from my cocoa cup, hoping that the power goes
out. “Beep…beep…beep,” interrupts the television set. Every head
in the large living room turns to read the severe storm warning, for
specifically Hailey, Ketchum, and Bellevue. Then, suddenly, all local
residents are plunged into the dark. Too dark to find a candle, my
dad, mom and me, let the darkness consume us, with its eerie, haunt-
ing creeping, chilling feeling. Now that we are left in the dark, I can
easily watch for jagged cutouts of lightning. One splits the sky, curv-
ing the mountain, and forking into a million tiny tree roots. Then
I begin to count to see how far away the origin of the electricity is.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi…and then a hungry rumble shakes
the ground, two miles away. Another strike shatters the sky and five
seconds crawl by, before a slow, low, growl rattles the windows. It
barely finishes before another set of lightning flares flatly across the
sky, followed by a quick heart beat of thunder. Then another flash
traces the backs of the clouds, followed by a long drum roll of energy.
Now buckets of water pour endlessly out of the clouds, halting the
lightening show. Then suddenly, the storm ceases, we wait, then it
comes back stronger than ever. The water comes straight down with
large chunks of hail mixed in, each bit punching the ground. Now
1 s t P l a c e s t u d e n t p h o t o g r a p h y:
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s : The waters of the valley give us the opportunity to play and enjoy the pleasure of so many
outdoor activities; it is the reason so many of us love it here.
1st Place student Writing
we guess it must be close to bed time, so we walk slowly up the stairs
to our rooms. When we reach our beds and climb in the covers
wrap themselves into a colorful cocoon around us. The rhythm of
the rain and hail, rocking us to sleep, I for sure love a fierce storm.
In the morning, the lights flicker back to life, and a large rainbow
arcs widely across the sky. Stepping outside onto the still damp
porch, there is a sound of silence as the sun wakes, and paints pastels
of colors across the Wood River Valley. She pulls out a bag of silver
glitter, and harmlessly sheds dew on all the items outside. She wipes
the evidence that a storm was here with a quick wink of her golden
eye. Examining her work, and fixing any flaws, she flares more yel-
low to show that she is satisfied. Once the valley is to her liking, she
resumes her task of warming the forever-changing land.
WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST
Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future
See these winning entries as well as
See
previous year’s winners at: more
www.woodriverlandtrust.org online!
Caught by a Fly by Jon Atkinson
11
 12 2nd Place student Writing

WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST

Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future My Daily Shower by Eric Williamson
Three thirty in the afternoon, the bell rings and I make a beeline to
my car. As soon as I get home I throw my two Golden Retrievers
in the back of my car and head for the Big Wood River. As soon
as I park I open the tailgate and the dogs bolt for the river like the
car is on fire. When my slow two legged body finally reached the
river the dogs are up to their chests in the cool clear waters of the
Big Wood. I select the proper stick, not too long to whack me
in the knees but not too short to get lost in the current. I pick it
up and they look at it like it is the biggest juiciest steak they have
ever seen. I give it a gentle toss to the center of the river and they
both explode, all that is left are geysers of white water and glimpses
of golden fur through the turmoil. The geysers consume the stick
then start moving towards me; about half way back they become
distinguishable figures once again. They emerge sopping wet from
the water wrestling each other for the stick. One wins the stick and
brings it to me while the other returns to the river for a head start.
The stick is dropped at my feet, immediately followed by a shower
of river water flung higher then you could ever jump. I pick up
draper wood river preserve:
the stick again and the process repeats itself. Twenty throws later I
The Draper Wood River Preserve, completed in 2007, ties
am ready to go but the dogs don’t show any intentions of leaving.
together many past river and riparian projects
dtr I have to coax them to the car. Once home they lie down and rest
in the heart of Hailey by protecting 80 acres a n u
See for about two hours. What a great way to relax and unwind after
iverl

st
.org

and 1/2 mile of Big Wood River frontage. more

dr

woo
a long day.
www.woodriverlandtrust.org online!

2 n d P l a c e s t u d e n t p h o t o g r a p h y: Out by Beautiful Eagle Creek by Ella Guy

13
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s : Out Eagle Creek when it was dark by a stream, a snow bank of ice formed. The ice looked
like a frozen plant. The water looked dark. It was a peaceful creek, and the water was lightly drifting down towards the flowing river.
14 3rd Place student Writing

The River Is My Soul by Jim Williams

The sun blazes brightly in the sky. Clouds drift lazily through the
warm summer air. The gravel flies from under my feet as I walk
down the road. Loud children play on the play ground across the
street at the park. Tall trees lean gently with the breeze. They cast
long, tempting shadows of cool. Behind me I hear the sounds of life.
Cars driving and people shouting. Leaves rustling and children and
adults laughing. All the noises of society and its problems swirling
around me like a vortex of mass confusion. I reach the dirt road that
leads to a gate…a gate to freedom.
I pass through the gate, leaving the vortex behind. I feel nothing
but relief…
I’m alone now. Nothing but the calming sounds of nature surround
me. Birds chirping and fluttering from branch to branch. The leaves
dancing in the breeze. The crunch of dirt and leaves under my feet.
But the sound I crave most, the most beautiful sound of them all. It
would take an angelic choir to rival it…
The sound of the River
I close my eyes. Breathe deeply. And smile. Inner peace begins to
fill me. I continue my lazy saunter down the earthy path. Listening
and thinking. Trying to empty my mind. As I walk I start to lead
myself towards the water. I close my eyes and inch closer to the cool
running water. I open them again and look down and smile. The
water is skimming past my shoes. I feel the slight mist on my face
and it refreshes more than my body…the mist cleanses my soul..
I begin to run…the River racing me to my favorite spot in the
universe…
The trees and shrubs begin to blur. The wind blows past my face
and whizzes past my ears. I turn left and jump the log. The River
still not slowing its pace. When I finally see the clearing in the
distance my heart races faster.
Finally I am there…my own paradise…the meaning of my sum-
mer…my own little world…
I come to a screeching halt and look around with smiles. I go to the
water and look inside. I see my reflection. In that I see me. Not
my physical things but all my rights and wrongs…I toss a stone on
my reflection…and I am new.

3 r d P l a c e s t u d e n t p h o t o g r a p h y: Big Wood River by Oliver Guy

15
p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s : This winter it was surprisingly easy to get to the river because of the lack of snow. I was
astounded when I saw that a whole snow bank had fallen into the river. A fox had walked across the snow bank and had caused the bank to
fall. It was very misty and quiet, except for the sound of flowing water. It was getting dark and it was time to head back.
 16 S t a ff f a v o r i t e s t u d e n t W r i t i n g
WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST
Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future Ice on the Water by Brooke L. Lawrence
Ice on the water
Snow on the ice
Under it all
The water rushes by
Sometimes it’s dark
And sometimes it’s light
But it is always going
Go, go, go, the water rushes past
Stop, stop, stop, it cries as it whirls by
Begging me to stop and stare
To take the time to take a rest
From the rush of life
Because unlike the water
Under the ice
I have a choice
To stop
S h e e p B r i d g e C a n y o n P r o j e c t:
Sheep Bridge Canyon maintains a link for wildlife between
the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and the
dtru
surrounding sagebrush steppe landscape. an

See
iverl

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.org

www.woodriverlandtrust.org more
dr

woo

online!

s t a ff f a v o r i t e s t u d e n t p h o t o g r a p h y: Indian Creek Rainbow by Nate Thomas

p h o t o g r a p h e r c o mm e n t s :

Our reason for choosing this photo is that the

rainbow is right over the well sight for the City of
Hailey as well as where Indian Creek flows out.

Our ponds and waterways have trout, muskrats,

badgers, rabbits, fox, eagles, moose, deer, bear
and now we see wolves and cougars.

We feel our valley is the epitome of what most

“valleyites” like about this area and we hope to
keep it like this and not put in a golf course or
more homes.

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WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST Draper Wood River Preserve and

Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future Croy Creek Wetland Boardwalk:

In July 2008, Wood River Land Trust worked with the City of
Hailey and local partners to restore the south end of Lions
Park at the site of Hailey’s former landfill. In Phase II, we will
provide public access to the site through construction of a
boardwalk along the edge of the Croy Creek wetlands, con-
necting to the Draper Wood River Preserve. The boardwalk
will minimize impact on the riparian area while offering a
close-up view of this artesian wetland and the birds, fish and
other wildlife that call it home.
Conceptual design
Give Us an Inch...

$1000
of boardwalk

Help us build the Boardwalk!

Purchase your section
of the boardwalk:
• $25 for one inch

$25
• $300 for one foot
• $1000 for one yard $300

Ketchum All donors will be listed on a plaque onsite,

a great way to honor a friend or loved one.
See
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Draper Wood River

www.woodriverlandtrust.org more
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Preserve and Croy Hailey

Creek Wetland
Boardwalk
online!

WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST Hulen Meadows Floodplain

Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future M a n a g e m e n t P r o j e c t:

Wood River Land Trust is working with the City of Ketchum

and the BLM to create a Recreation and Public Purpose
(RPP) agreement that will allow the City of Ketchum and
Wood River Land Trust to share management of 217 acres
near Hulen Meadows.

This partnership will give the City of Ketchum a permanent

lease on the land, create a recreational asset for the com-
munity, and improve the health of the floodplain and asso-
ciated fish and wildlife habitat along this stretch of the Big
Wood River.

We have a matching grant of

$50,000 that will be added Big Wood
River
to our fundraising goal of
$25,000. Please help us dou-
ble our efforts today!

Please call us to learn more

about how you can help or
Hulen Meadows Ketchum
Floodplain Management visit our website:
Project
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an

See
iverl

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.org

more
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www.woodriverlandtrust.org
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Hailey online!
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WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST

Protecting the Heart of the Valley Now and for the Future

our Mission
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.

Board of Directors W RLT S t a ff

Ed Cutter, President Scott Boettger, Executive Director
Jack Kueneman, Vice President Barbara Thrasher Melanie Dahl, Executive Assistant
Joan Swift, Treasurer Doris Tunney Kathryn Goldman, Senior Project Coordinator
Robin Garwood, Secretary Diane Kahm, Development Assistant
David Anderson A d v i s o r y C o mm i t t e e Robyn Watson, Director of Development
John Flattery Peter Becker Keri York, Stewardship Coordinator
John French Ranney Draper Sam Phillips, Conservation Project
Clark Gerhardt Rebekah Helzel and Outreach Assistant
Trent Jones Dave Parrish
Heather King Larry Schoen Wood River Land Trust
Liz Mitchell John Seiller 119 East Bullion Street, Hailey, Idaho 83333
208.788.3947 (telephone) 208.788.5991 (fax)
Wolf Riehle Tom Swift
info@woodriverlandtrust.org
John Fell Stevenson Bruce Tidwell
Tax ID# 82-0474191
Megan Stevenson Liz Warrick
Steve Strandberg

o t h e r a d u lt p h o t o g r a p h y e n t r i e s :

Trail Creek Moose Ponds by Dave Harrison top: Drinking Ripples by Jon Atkinson top: Icy Branch by Courtney Wangberg
above: Riverwalk Ice And Rocks by above: Silver Creek...A Crown Jewel by
Michelle Castle Jennifer Montgomery

Visit us online www. w o o d r i v e r l a n d t r u s t. o r g and see other photo entries!