Bartley: This spring, visit one of Idaho's many pristine nature preserves

Conservation work by The Nature Conservancy touches many parts of Idaho.

The organization has helped protect 350,000 acres in Idaho through conservation easements, preserves and cooperative projects.

"As more people call Idaho home, there are pressures on what Idahoans value, which are wildlife habitat, clean water and working farms and ranches," Matt Miller, director of communications for The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, said. "The Nature Conservancy works to find solutions so we can balance growth with values."

Miller said the group's biggest recent accomplishment is a conservation easement on 1,214 acres of the Big Springs Creek Ranch in the Pahsimeroi River Valley. The easement between Challis and Salmon protects fish and wildlife habitat and agricultural land.

"Salmon will be able to return to that stretch of the river for the first time in 60 years," Miller said.

Another achievement is the addition of conservation easements with 22 landowners in the Silver Creek Valley near Picabo.

The 950-acre Silver Creek Preserve is a world-famous fly fishing destination. Hiking on the preserve's nature trails and canoeing are popular pursuits.

Through the easements, the preserve has an additional 9,500 protected acres surrounding the property in the Silver Creek Valley.

IDAHO PRESERVES

Here are some other Nature Conservancy preserves in Idaho, which are open to the public:

® The Ball Creek Ranch Preserve in Bonners Ferry is popular for birding and waterfowl hunting.

® At Cougar Bay Preserve near Coeur d'Alene you can paddle on an osprey-watching kayak tour in July.

® Flat Ranch Preserve south of Henry's Lake offers a visitor center and nature lectures during the summer months.

® Garden Creek Preserve in Hells Canyon is an ideal setting for hiking and fishing.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Nature Conservancy has worked with other agencies on several projects in Idaho.

After fires consumed 55,000 acres of habitat in Hells Canyon in 2007, the group and its partners replanted native trees and grasses in sensitive areas to head off the invasion of non-native weeds. Native vegetation is critical for habitat and food sources for wildlife, including elk and bighorn sheep that make their home along the Snake River.

The conservancy helped establish the Billingsley Creek State Park unit, part of the Thousand Springs State Park complex near Hagerman. The park offers fishing, birding opportunities and historical tours.

Box Canyon State Park, another unit in the complex near Wendell, was transferred from the conservancy to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation in 2006.

Ritter Island State Park near Wendell was a Nature Conservancy preserve that was transferred to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation in 2006. There is a historic dairy farm on the island, and waterfalls and springs offer a refreshing retreat from urban life.

Hilltop, in the Foothills northeast of Boise, was purchased by the conservancy and transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. Hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing are popular pursuits there.

GET INVOLVED

It is easy to get involved with The Nature Conservancy. Go to its Web site, www.nature.org/idaho, for descriptions of the Idaho preserves, donate or become a member.

While you're there, check out some of the events at the preserves this summer. You can learn about flowers, wildlife and habitat. A few of the preserves offer landscape-painting workshops, educational walks and barbecues. Or enjoy bird-watching, hiking, canoeing or fishing on the preserves.

Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer. E-mail: natbartley@earthlink.net.