31. May 2023 · Comments Off on SBFC at the Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute · Categories: Education

This past week I was fortunate enough to join our field leaders and Wilderness Ranger Fellows at the Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute which took place at Powell Ranger Station near the north end of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness for five days. The skills institute brought together 150+ people from all over the region. There were many field-going folks, as well as program leaders from the Forest Service, people from the National Parks, and other nonprofit organizations like SBFC. Everyone was there to dive deep into the traditional skills and knowledge it takes to keep Wilderness accessible and wild for everyone.

I was extremely impressed with our SBFC staff and fellows. Our strong group of twenty showed a massive amount of enthusiasm and leadership throughout the week. None of them were afraid to speak up and to ask questions, even though many of our people, particularly our fellows, are very new to this world. I see so much strength and potential within this group. They have become great friends and it’s apparent that they will be ready for their first hitches in June to get into the Wilderness and do good work.

Thanks to all the people who helped to make the 2023 NRWSI possible, including our very own program manager Josh Page! Due to the major efforts of many, the future of our Wilderness lands are brighter than ever.

Looking ahead, we will be coming to you with regular blog posts from our field staff and fellows, as well as with other helpful communications to give you info and tools to get into these landscapes throughout the season. Let us know what you think and what you’d like to hear more of from us in the future!

Here’s to the Frank and Selway being wild and accessible forever!

I’ll see you out there.
Ryan Ghelfi

Tonight we are hosting a volunteer webinar on Zoom at 6:15 PM (Mountain Time). Come learn about our trail projects and get your questions answered! Sign up here!

SBFC will partner with Here Montana to take folks out on a stewardship project in the Bitterroot Mountains in 2023. Listen to their director Alex Kim talk about their mission.

Keep an eye out next year for information about the 2024 Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute

Our friends at the Idaho Trails Association are looking for volunteers for a couple of awesome Wilderness projects in June on the Selway River Trail (women’s only) and out of Wilderness Gateway (family trip!)

SBFC has a few spots left on our single day volunteer project at Colgate Licks on June 3 and Horse Creek on June 21. Sign up before the spots are gone!

On Thursday, June 1, we are celebrating National Trails Day a few days early with a screening of Outdoor Idaho’s In the Shadow of the Bitterroots at Mother Earth Brew Co. in Boise. Learn more!

31. May 2023 · Comments Off on May 2023 Partnerships Newsletter · Categories: Around The Campfire, Public Lands

SCNF Partnerships Newsletter – May2023