Situated along the Snake River, Celebration Park was established as Idaho’s only archaeological park in 1989. A walk through the huge basalt melon gravels deposited by the Bonneville flood reveals petroglyphs 100 to 10,000 years old. Visitors learn about the Paleolithic and Archaic lifeways and enjoy throwing a dart with an atlatl. Experience a walking tour of historic Guffey Railroad Bridge and be captivated by southwest Idaho’s early mining and railroad history. Archaeological sites are protected by state and federal law. Please be respectful of Celebration Park’s unique archaeology and cultural heritage. Celebration Park is on the western border of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. For NCA visitor information, visit their website. The Snake River Islands near Celebration Park are part of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge’s Snake River Islands Unit. Visit their website for information on rules and regulations, and habitat management practices on the islands. Video On a gray and breezy Sunday morning, members & friends of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho Squaw Butte Chapter meet at the trailer parking area of Celebration Park along the Snake River. The weatherman had promised a nice day for a ride, but at 10:00 people were skeptical. The group numbering over 25, broke into two teams and when they were ready rode a 10 mile loop following the cliffs while heading east and the river back west to the trailers As the day progressed the weather improved the sky turned blue and when we were all back at the trailers was darn right nice. After taking care of the stock, finger snakes were broken out and everyone enjoy both the fare and the conversation.
Hike the Hill
This week was the annual gathering of the national scenic and historic trail community in DC to educate Congress, meet with agencies, and build support for trails. NWSA was there along with Back Country Horsemen and other Wilderness groups to lend our voice and to expand opportunities for wilderness stewardship.
We are happy to report that the Forest Service Chief took this opportunity to express her full support for Shared Stewardship and to renew the NFS Trail Stewardship Partner funding for $200,000 in 2020. Find more details here.
This is in addition to the $200,000 already secured for Wilderness Stewardship Performance activities.
Applications for both programs are due by March 30th.
Webinars
Tuesday, March 10 at 1:00 PM Mountain
Leave No Trace — Refresher, Updates, Resources
Erin Collier, Brice Esplin, and Faith Overall
What’s new with Leave No Trace, and how can you incorporate the principles into your daily work? Erin Collier & Brice Esplin, Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, will provide a general Leave No Trace refresher with an emphasis on updates, research, and resources, geared toward wilderness stewardship groups and agency partners. Faith Overall, Leave No Trace’s Education and Outreach coordinator and volunteer for the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance will also join to provide a volunteer perspective and answer questions on getting more involved.
Wilderness Workshop Presentations and Videos
Many presentations at the Workshop are posted on the WORKSHOP PAGE . You can also find the Program and Abstracts. Several of the main sessions were video taped and as soon as they are available will be placed on this page as well. The Final Plenary session and Derick Lugo’s Closing Presentation are now available online.
The 2020 Funding Program Application Periods are Open
As noted above NWSA has two funding programs for wilderness stewards.
The Wilderness Stewardship Performance Partner Funding and
The National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partner Funding.
Both application periods will end March 30, 2020.
Now is the time to renew your memberships for 2020. WSP Funding requires a NWSA membership in order to apply.
In other Member News: Memberships will now track calendar years. Memberships renewals for 2020 began October 1st and are good for the entire calendar year 2020. Participate in Funding programs, get discounts to the National Wilderness Workshop and keep informed about national issues affecting wilderness stewardship.
Forest Service WSP Webinars now Posted
The latest WSP webinars are posted on Wilderness Connect. The webinars include the Plants element and Recreation Sites element.
These webinars can be found at the link below, along with the nine other WSP elements already posted and of course the other outstanding past and planned webinars by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, and other great partners.
https://wilderness.net/practitioners/training/free-webinars/default.php
TAKE ACTION: SUPPORT PUBLIC LAND ACCESS NOW!
The time is here to add your voice in support of public access. The Public Access Protection Act (PAPA) was assigned a bill number and awaits introduction. Now, Senate leadership decides whether to allow the bill an introduction, opening the bill for public support or criticism.
If you support protecting public access, Senators Winder, Vick, Hill, and Heider need to hear from you- that you support PAPA and want a public introduction of S1317 in the Senate Resources Committee by February 26th. Enter your name on the form below to ask our state leadership to protect access to your public lands.
Idaho Trails Supporter Fact Sheet
Hey Folks – I have attached the fact sheet for our voluntary sticker program. The short – The voluntary sticker (or pass) is a $10 minimum donation available to the public on June 6th, National trails day. They will be primarily available online.
Thanks!
Tom Helmer
Non-Motorized Trails Program Manager
5657 Warm Springs Ave|Boise, ID 83716
tel (208) 514-2419 | mobile (208) 914-4821
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February 07, 2020
BOISE, Idaho
The director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation said Friday that his agency is starting a voluntary trail pass program as part of a long-range goal to raise awareness and eventually money for non-motorized trail maintenance.
David Langhorst told the Legislature’s budget-setting committee that interest in the 900-mile (1,450-kilometer) Idaho Centennial Trail has been growing.
He said motorized trail groups have been effective in persuading lawmakers to tax or place fees on those user groups for trail maintenance.
But he said non-motorized trail users have been somewhat resistant to those kinds of user fees. He said the voluntary trail pass could help change minds.