Trust secures land for conservation

Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) has recently partnered with a Bull River valley private landowner and established their eighth conservation agreement in that vicinity. This agreement includes 44 acres and will protect fish, wildlife and plant communities located in the richly biodiverse area along Montana Highway 56, according to KLT.

"This is a wonderfully important parcel of land in terms of both wildlife habitat and preservation of the scenic view corridor of the Bull River valley," said KLT Conservation Director Regan Plumb. "KLT is honored to support the permanent protection of this private land and humbled by the landowner's commitment to preserving a particularly wild corner of western Montana."

KLT commented that the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks recorded sightings of grizzly bear and lynx, both sensitive species, in the area where this agreement was established. Furthermore, "the East Fork Bull River is of particular importance to spawning and migrating bull trout. The project area also protects access to several miles of streams that are projected to maintain cold water temperatures despite potentially fluctuating environmental conditions," continued KLT in a news release.

"Avista's Wood Duck property, part of the Block Management program, is the only one that permits public access," stated Plumb, referencing the agreements located within the Bull River valley. "The other ones are readily enjoyed while traveling the Highway 56 corridor or floating the Bull River."

The abundant natural environment and "special qualities" of Sanders County is "threatened by the increased development that comes with a growing population," KLT stated on their website. Their goal is to diminish the effects population growth has on the natural landscape and obtain an "exceptional quality of life" by merging the two.

"We realize that growth is necessary and strive to balance it with protection of our natural landscapes to maintain a vibrant community with ample opportunity for economic prosperity while protecting critical areas," shares KLT's website.

KLT has helped landowners secure nearly 450 acres from development in the Bull River valley and an additional 225 acres on the East Fork Bull River alone. Bonner and Boundary counties in Idaho and Sanders County are locales KLT has actively entered into agreements, collectively protecting 4,000 acres. These agreements have permanently safeguarded working farms, scenic views, wetlands, and nature's all-encompassing habitat from development.

KLT, a not-for-profit organization, believes healthy lands and healthy communities are interconnected. "We facilitate voluntary land conservation by working with landowners to keep valuable lands intact, connect our communities to nature so they can enjoy the health benefits of time outdoors and use innovative educational programs to encourage a love of nature and an ethic of long-term conservation and stewardship," commented KLT.

More information about KLT can be found at http://www.kaniksulandtrust.org.