At Idaho Forest Group (IFG), conservation isn’t a side initiative—it’s the foundation of our mission. Across every mill, forest, and partnership, we work to responsibly manage natural resources today while preserving them for tomorrow. From trailheads to tree lines, IFG plays a vital role in sustaining the lands, wildlife and waterways that make Idaho unique. 

Our commitment extends through leadership roles in more than 20 conservation-focused groups, collaboration on National Forest plans and direct partnerships with agencies like Idaho Fish & Game and the U.S. Forest Service. 

We back our principles with action: investing in eco-technology, maximizing log utilization, minimizing emissions, recycling water and restoring fire-resilient ecosystems. In 2024, we donated a conservation easement along Prichard Creek to restore an area damaged by historical mining practices and to permanently protect the nearly 2,000 acres of stream and upland habitat from development. 

Just as we care for the land, we care deeply for the people who live and work in our communities. Our teams actively volunteer, and we provide lumber and funding donations for a variety of community organizations. IFG supports rural jobs and provides educational opportunities focused on careers in the forest products industry and the importance of environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with groups like Kaniksu Land Trust and the Idaho Forest Products Commission, we link conservation with public access, outdoor education and community well-being. 

For over 40 years, IFG has worked to ensure Idaho’s forests remain healthy and productive. By uniting sustainable forestry with stewardship and community investment, we protect the landscapes—and the people—that define Idaho’s future. 

The post Safeguarding Idaho’s Lands, Wildlife, Waterways, and Trails: Idaho Forest Group’s Enduring Commitment  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Kanisku Land Trust

When I was a kid, I could wander for miles without seeing a “No Trespassing” sign. Neighbors didn’t mind me and my dog popping out of the woods, and I never thought about “public access.” It was the norm. 

Of course, not every landowner feels comfortable welcoming visitors. Some fear liability, and others prefer privacy. Idaho’s Recreational Use Statute helps ease those worries by protecting landowners who allow free public access, but, ultimately, it’s always a choice. When granted, public access on private land is a gift, one that comes with the simple expectation that guests respect rules like staying on trails, picking up after themselves and honoring boundaries. 

It’s also important to understand the difference between public land and public-access land. Public land is owned by the public and managed by government agencies. It is supported by taxes, fees or resource management. Public-access land, on the other hand, is private property where the owner voluntarily allows community use. 

Kaniksu Land Trust’s Pine Street Woods is a good example. Though privately owned by the nonprofit Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT), it was purchased through community support and is maintained for public enjoyment. Still, most of KLT’s conservation work involves protecting land through conservation easements—agreements that keep forests, farms and wildlife habitat intact, but that don’t usually allow public access. 

Whether offered formally or informally, public access is a rare and generous gift. By respecting and supporting these lands, we ensure their beauty and benefits remain for generations to come. 

The post When Public Access Is a Gift: Respecting Private Land for Community Use  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Amy McCaffree 

Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree

Looking for outdoor community this summer for you and your dog? Your local off-leash dog park is one such place.  

Seriously—where else can Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X and Boomers come and go randomly, mill about and chitchat, and where formal introductions are optional? At the dog park, the only expectations are to clean up after your dog and ensure your dog plays nice, which means respecting and following off-leash park rules. There is unique camaraderie because of a shared value, a love for dogs. Dogs also inspire humans to be more like them: friendly, non-judgmental, carefree, eager to play outdoors.  

As a societal microcosm, a dog park is fascinating. My young dog, Layla, and I started going to dog parks last summer, when she was 6 months old. Visiting our local one is now part of our regular routine. I’ve had more conversations with random Boomer men than ever before, especially on weekday mornings. It’s where I regularly cross paths with people in their 20s-30s. No visit is the same. For me, the wonderful array of breeds and dog personalities is the best part. From corgis and chow chows to huskies and Newfoundlands, dogs are joyfully entertaining. And I consider providing play opportunities for Layla my dog-mom duty. 

Dog Park Etiquette 

Every off-leash park has the same general rules, which can be found online or posted on-site. Mostly common sense and etiquette stuff: only fully-vaccinated dogs allowed, clean up after your dog, no fighting. 

Dog parks are highly stimulating and unpredictable; therefore, drama happens. Dogs well-suited for an off-leash park environment are “typically young (between 6 months and 2 years old), outgoing, love to play, friendly, and forgiving,” says Terry Ann Fernando, creator and host of “The Accidental Bird Dog” podcast. Less suited for the dog-park environment, according to Fernando, are:  

1. Very young puppies (4-6 months old; puppies 16 weeks or younger should not visit). 

2. Shy or aloof dogs, who might act defensive or snappy when surrounded by a group of dogs or simply prefer one-on-one play with a dog friend rather than random new ones. 

3. Adult dogs who have grown out of the playful stage of life, which varies by breed and temperament. Some seniors dogs, age 7+, are still spry and active, while some 4-5 year-olds act grumpy and tired.  

4. Small or fragile breeds, unless in a “small dog” area of an off-leash park—tiny dogs should never be in the same area as big breeds. 

5. Aggressive dogs, without exception. (Even at an off-leash area, owners are liable for their dog’s actions and any injuries or damages to other dogs or people, regardless of the dog’s behavioral history.) 

6. Under-exercised dogs, who have been confined or not walked for a stretch of time—or are infrequent park visitors—can cause trouble when they arrive “like a drunk college student at a frat party,” Fernando says. 

7. Intact males can attract negative attention from neutered males and may also attempt to dominate female dogs; also, female dogs in heat should not visit dog parks.  

It’s recommended that dogs new to off-leash play areas first visit during off-peak times, such as early morning or weekdays before 3 p.m.—same for older or less playful dogs. Be sure to know and understand “dog language” and follow park rules for a positive experience with other park visitors. 

Spokane and North Idaho Dog Parks 

Standard amenities include a double-gate entry/exit system; separate/divided sections for small and large breeds (unless otherwise noted in list below); dog bag dispensers, drinking fountains, benches, shelters and picnic tables; open dawn to dusk (typically). Use this guide to plan a day trip or for road-trip stops along the journey to a summer vacation. (Note: “Dog park” info from Yelp, Google Reviews and BringFido.com is not 100% accurate—a “dog friendly” park doesn’t mean off-leash use is allowed.) 

Spokane County 

• High Bridge Dog Park: 9.3 acres, recently renovated, layout includes three separate fenced play areas with the large area, featuring rugged terrain, best suited for large breeds. 

• South Hill Dog Park: 1.8 acres, opened fall 2024, partially paved and gravel walking path. No separate area for small dogs; no picnic tables or shelter. 

• Riverside Dog Park: triangle-size “pocket” park (.07 acre) created for residents/dog owners of downtown and Browne’s Addition. (Note: As of April 2025, both gate latches were broken, posing a safety risk.) No shelter or tables. 

• Valley Mission Dog Park: Has agility features and dog wash station. 

• Patricia Simonet Laughing Dog Park: Located at Gateway Regional Park, I-90 Stateline exit, managed by SCRAPS. 

• Cheney Dog Park: Opened in summer 2023, corner of Presley Drive & Hwy 904. 

Coeur d’Alene/Kootenai County 

• McEuen Dog Park: Located within McEuen Park. 

• Riverstone Dog Park: Walk-in only, accessible off the Centennial Trail; 0.5 acre; drivers can park at Riverstone Park. 

• Cherry Hill Dog Park: 0.68 acres. 

• Central Bark Dog Park: Located within Northshire Park. 

• Atlas Water Dog Park: ADA-accessible off-leash area within Atlas Park, along the Spokane River, includes a beach and Spokane river access.  

• Croffoot Dog Park: Located in Hayden at Croffoot Park and Sports Complex. 

Sandpoint Area 

• Dog Beach Park: Walk/bike-in only; off-leash beach located off Serenity Lee Trail, south of downtown Sandpoint. 

• Ponderay Pet Safe Dog Park: Located by Panhandle Animal Shelter, fully ADA-accessible with ramps, access points, and pathways; dog agility course. 

• Pine Street Woods: Conservation property, 180 acres, managed by Kaniksu Land Trust; dogs allowed to be off-leash if “within voice control.” 

• Sam Owen Campground (Hope, ID): Off-leash dogs allowed on the rocky beach, adjacent to the day-use area. 

Silver Valley & Missoula, MT 

• Wallace Dog Park: Opened in 2022; solar-powered lights for after dark, covered patio area. 

• Missoula: MRL Park Dog Area, Fort Missoula Regional Sgt. Bozo Dog Park, and Jacobs Island Bark Park.  

Palouse/Whitman County 

• Pullman Pooch Park: Managed by Whitman County Humane Society; $5 day pass or paid membership required. 

• Moscow Dog Park: Located by Humane Society of the Palouse. 

Lewiston/Clarkston 

• Lewiston: Penny’s Memorial Dog Park. 

• Clarkston: Eagle Scout Dog Park and Pippin’s Island Off-Leash Area.  

Did You Know? 

• 66% of American households own at least one pet, predominately a dog. 

• 30% of pet owners are from Millennial Generation (born between 1981 and 1996; currently those age 29-44), followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers (25% each of pet-owner population) and Gen Z (20%). 

Source: American Pet Products Association’s 2025 National Pet Owners Survey 

More Dog Parks in Eastern/Central Washington 

• Moses Lake: Basin Homes Dog Park 

• Wenatchee: Hale Park Off-Leash Area 

• Ellensburg: 2 off-leash areas, Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park and Rotary Park. 

• Walla Walla: Fort Walla Walla Dog Park. 

• Yakima: Randall Park off-leash areas. 

Additional Inland Northwest Off-Leash Areas 

Offering more off-leash dog areas (OLA) is good public relations and marketing for communities. According to the “City of Spokane Dog Park Guidelines,” published in Oct. 2022, the city needs six off-leash dog parks to meet local demand. Standard planning for the people-dog ratio population is 38,000 people or 25,000 dogs per facility. Local survey data was used to project that 90% of Spokane residents are dog owners, with an estimated dog population of 150,000. In a ranked list of similar-sized cities, Boise, Idaho, is #1 for providing 16 dog parks, which equates to use ratio of 9,536 dogs per facility. (In 2022, Spokane’s ratio was over 74,000 dogs per facility.) 

With too few off-leash areas (OLA), dog-owners tend to take matters into their own hands, which results in hiking areas and other public parks becoming de facto off-leash areas—and this causes more problems. Typically, local governments enact and enforce dog-leash laws. In Washington, there is no statewide leash requirement except for one pertaining to state parks; however, there is a law prohibiting “animals at large” off private property. To meet demand for off-leash recreation, SnipSpot.com is a platform for private property owners to become a “host” and dog-owners pay an hourly fee for their dog to run around off-leash. 

Notable Dog Parks in Western Washington/Puget Sound Area Cities 

• Bellingham: Squalicum Creek Park, Fairhaven Dog Park, Arroyo Park, Lake Padden Park Off-Leash Area. 

• Everett: Howarth Park Off Leash Area, Lowell Riverfront Dog Park, Loganberry Lane Dog Park 

• Redmond: Marymoor Park (40-acres). 

• Seatac: Grandview Park (37 acres).  

• Seattle: Jose Rizal Park (Beacon Hill), Genesee Park Off-Leash Area (southeast Seattle), Golden Gardens (Ballard), Magnuson Park (Sand Point). 

• Tacoma: Point Defiance Dog Park, Swan Creek Off-Leash Dog Park. 

Resources: 

my.spokanecity.org/parks/dogs 

https://www.cdaid.org/726/departments/parks/park-list

Amy McCaffree is an OTO senior writer who has been contributing to Out There since 2016. If you see Layla and Amy at a dog park, say hello! Follow her outdoor recreation and #dogmom adventures on Instagram @adventure_amy_spokane or TikTok @pnwadventureamy. 

The post Where Paws Meet People  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo by Fiona Hicks courtesy of the Kanisku Land Trust

When a colleague mentioned seeing a small herd of exotic animals going up Highway 20 near the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area in Northeast Washington, I had to see where this story led. My colleague had grown up in this part of the state and worked for several natural resource agencies, so I listen when something sticks out as unusual—like seeing a few camels, a yak, and some goats with a minimally clad herder heading up the highway. 

I started making phone calls and sending emails to any connection I could make. Did anyone have information on this nomadic herder? I started with the WDFW at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, but the staff I talked to hadn’t heard these stories of a few camels walking by. Then I asked the Colville National Forest. They had no direct knowledge of this person and his flock. But I did learn that recreational grazing is allowed on National Forest as long as there are no negative impacts. 

I got wind of a landowner in the Rice area who might have something, including a name, Chris. Chris had overwintered with his herd on a neighbor’s property, trading work around the property for housing his stock and himself, presumably. The neighbor reported that Chris frequently and seasonally moved his animals from the Okanogan to Northeast Oregon. I started looking for news from other forests. One fateful day, I was talking with another colleague on an entirely unrelated topic and heard about an organization that focuses on natural living, bush craft, and other close-to-the-land skills. On their website, I saw an instructor bio for Chris who taught about mixed herd management, but not too much more. Did I finally have a last name?  

Yes, I did! Another Google search and there it was, an article about Chris grazing his animals for the Kaniksu Land Trust right in Sandpoint. Chris was using his animals to graze the weeds at the popular trail system, Pine Street Woods. These animals are reducing weeds and putting back some fertilizer, all without using herbicides. 

Grazing on public can be a hot topic in the conservation world. Many of our public lands, particularly the Forest Service and BLM, are managed for multiple use and allow commercial grazing under the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934. This act broke grazing into allotments and uses a permit system to manage livestock grazing. This substantially reduced the impacts of grazing, but cattle and sheep can still have an impact on the landscape. 

In certain areas, these hooved animals can impact water quality and stream habitats. Their feces can add E. coli and other bacteria, affecting drinking water supply. They congregate along streams and water sources, mowing vegetation and trampling the shoreline. This adds to increased erosion and sedimentation in the streams affecting fish habitat. Protecting water sources with fencing and hardened crossing along with moving livestock regularly can reduce these impacts. 

Grazing can also come into conflict with predator reintroduction and management. Large predators play a key role in ecosystems: maintaining populations levels, increasing biodiversity, and helping to shape habitats. Although there are management practices that can reduce predation, it is still an economic impact to a business with tight margins. 

In many parts of the West, public land grazing helps economically support rural livelihoods, which maintains undeveloped private ranch lands—key wildlife habitat and movement corridors—from being developed. 

Virtual fencing technology is further improving range management. Think of an invisible dog fence for cows. Several members of the herd wear collars, ranchers use special cell towers and an app to draw fence boundaries. Is there a known wolf den? Keep the cows out. Want to knock down cheat grass or mow a fire break? Congregate the cows to mob graze at the optimal time to knock the vegetation down.  

This trail didn’t lead where I thought. Chris does not have much internet presence and probably likes it that way. He certainly lives an interesting life moving his small exotic herd throughout the region to improve habitat. However, this path did give me a chance to review both the support and opposition to grazing on public lands. 

This summer, Adam is on the hunt for large old trees in the region. He will try to keep up with his running into the hot weather to help with some long hikes planned. 

The post The Trail of the Nomadic Herder  appeared first on Out There Venture.

When early summer arrives in Sandpoint, Idaho, the mountains come alive with more trails to ride than you can fit into your vacation schedule. Sandpoint has been quietly adding to its trail systems that are anchored by long-time classics by building some of the Northwest’s best new trails specifically with mountain biking in mind. Whether you’re seeking heart-pumping climbs with outstanding lake views or gentle rolling trails perfect for beginners and families, Sandpoint’s diverse terrain really does offer trails for every rider.

The area’s active biking culture with trails a short pedal or drive away paired with a laid-back lake-and-mountain town to base your biking forays from make Sandpoint a top early-season mountain biking destination.

Photo courtesy of Schweitzer

Schweitzer Mountain

Schweitzer and the adjacent Selkirk Recreation District offer an exceptional and expanding trail system for mountain bikers with dozens of trails and ride variations to choose from. Many trails afford outstanding lake views to complement the heart-pumping climbs and descents, and Schweitzer provides chairlift assist to the top for 1,700’ gravity-descents on over 40 trails with options from beginner to expert.

Pine Street Woods

Located little more than two miles from downtown Sandpoint, the Kaniksu Land Trust has made the incredible Pine Street Woods trail system possible. Take your pick from more than a dozen trails, with wide routes that welcome all trail users including e-bikers, plus a large number of singletrack rides ranging from smooth-and-flowy for beginners, to technical downhill descents with ramps and jumps for advanced riders.

Gold Hill // Photo by Doug Marshall, courtesy of Visit Sandpoint

Gold Hill Trail

The 3.7-mile Gold Hill Trail is a popular local’s singletrack staple. The trail serves up a moderate to strenuous out-and-back ride that leads uphill through green walls of North Idaho forest to panoramic views of Sandpoint across Lake Pend Oreille.

Lost Lake – Mineral Point Trail

This two-trailhead trail system 14 miles from town rewards riders with big views of the southern arm of Lake Pend Oreille and swimming at Green Bay. Choose from the easier loop around Lost Lake or the more challenging trail to Mineral Point with views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Green Monarchs.

Farragut State Park

Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille 30 minutes south of Sandpoint, Farragut features over 20 miles of mountain bike trails ranging from rolling beginner-friendly singletrack to more challenging blue trails. Easy access to the lake for swimming and paddling make Farragut a top choice for cooling off after a hot summer ride.

Trestle Creek // Photo by Doug Marshall, courtesy of Visit Sandpoint

More Sandpoint-Area MTB Trails

Sandpoint is an ideal basecamp for exploring other forest service and private land trails a bit farther out of town. North toward Bonners Ferry, highly-recommended trails include Brush Lake, with a moderately easy six-mile loop along the lake plus the option for tapping into the relatively-new Tungsten Mountain Trail for a magnificent 20-ish mile up-and-down rollercoaster ride; Section 16, with 11 miles of gently rolling and non-technical rides; and gorgeous trails (with a steep climb to start) at Enchanted Forest. 

Whatever your riding style, trail preference and ability level, you’ll find your perfect early-summer spin near Sandpoint. Check out all of the recommended local rides and start planning your mountain bike getaway. Combine fine days of riding with Sandpoint’s vaunted culinary and entertainment opportunities for a weekend or multi-day visit; discover those, plus an array of lodging choices, at VisitSandpoint.com.

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The post Sandpoint’s Top Early-Season Mountain Bike Rides appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Ammi Midstokke

• There are several Discover Pass fee-free days coming up! Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is holding a Free Fishing Weekend on June 7 and 8, where neither a fishing license nor a Discover Pass will be necessary to give fishing a try on our region’s waterways. All catch rules will still apply, so research gear and limits before you go. (Idaho will be hosting its own Free Fishing Day on June 14.) June 19 and Aug. 9 are also Discover Pass fee-free days on Washington’s public lands, where parking fees are not required at State Parks.  

• June marks the return of Wednesdays in the Woods with Riverside State Park Foundation. The “Hoot Show” will start the series on June 4 with both live owls and raptors, plus free ice cream. June 11 will focus on “Butterflies of Northeastern Washington.” June 18 will feature “Moose, Cougars and Bears, Oh My!” with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. June 25 will focus on “Best Spokane Area Day Hikes” and will again include free ice cream for attendees. The first three events will take place at Bowl & Pitcher’s outdoor amphitheater, and the final event will be at the picnic shelter. Discover Pass required for parking.  

• National Trails Day is on June 7. The Friends of Palisades is hosting a geology-focused hike through Palisades Park, with advance registration required. Dishman Hills Conservancy will mark the occasion with hikes guided by Washington State Naturalists within the Dishman Hills Natural Area from Camp Caro. The hikes will begin every 30 minutes, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at 2:30 p.m. with no advance registration required, so an adventurous hiker could join both outings for maximum trail time on this day celebrating trails!  

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness free summer hike series includes a hike at Settlers Grove followed by a visit to the Sprag Pole Museum (June 12), a hike with a whitebark pine specialist on Scotchman Peak (June 14), a backpack trip to Little Spar Lake (July 11-12), two “Hike and Read” events co-hosted by Lincoln County Library (July 18 and 25), and more! See the FSPW for full details and to register for events. 
  
  

Outdoor Culture & History Events 

This year marks the bicentennial of Fort Colville on the Columbia River just west of Kettle Falls, with several events planned throughout the year to mark the occasion. On June 20 the organizers have coordinated with the Colville Confederated Tribes to observe the Salmon Ceremony. Event carpooling meets at the Kettle Falls Historical Center at 9 a.m. Additionally, June 21 and 22 will be a Native Culture Weekend at the Kettle Falls Historical Center with history displays and presentations. 

Fundraisers & Contests 

• Okanogan Highlands Alliance will host its annual fundraiser Get Lost Trail Race at Lost Lake on July 13. There will be a service project the day before the event, with optional camping at Lost Lake Campground. This CCC-built campground is by itself worth the visit, and the race has distance options at 3 miles, 7 miles, and 11 miles to take in the views on the surrounding trails. 

• Plan a visit to Teanaway Community Forest this summer and capture photos for the annual photo contest, with the entry portal opening up in August. There will be five total categories with individual prizes, plus a grand prize. Teanaway Community Forest has several DNR campgrounds which are first-come, first-served with Discover Pass as the only fee, along with miles of trails. Follow Teanaway Community Forest on Facebook for additional details. 

Stewardship, Conservation, & Volunteer Opportunities 

• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will be hosting bi-weekly “Waikiki Wednesdays” and “Glen Tana Thursdays” throughout much of the summer season. Keep in mind that Glen Tana is not yet open to the public, so joining a stewardship project is the best way to get a sneak peek at this fantastic future park, along with helping to make improvements to the property. See the INLC website to sign up.  

• Chelan Douglas Land Trust is hosting Weed Warrior Wednesdays in early June to tackle noxious weeds growing around Lower Sleepy Hollow. The group will meet in the morning on June 4 and will host both a morning and an evening session on June 11. Advance registration required.  

• On June 12, join Kaniksu Land Trust and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness for an “Intro to Trail Work” evening work party at Pine Street Woods. Advance registration is required. Additional trail maintenance projects with the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will take place throughout the summer, so be sure to check the website for the full list.  

• Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is teaming up with Idaho Trails Association for a weekend of trail work on the Fault Lake Trail in the Idaho Selkirks, July 25-27. Additionally, ITA will be teaming up with Friends of the Great Burn Wilderness to host trail work events on the Idaho Centennial Trail (on the Idaho/Montana divide) from Aug. 3-9. ITA has additional fantastic offerings throughout the state, so check the website for more. 

• Washington Trails Association will be hosting both day-long trail work at Mica Peak Conservation Area plus weekend backpacking trail work projects in the Colville National Forest. Highlights include trips to the Salmo Loop and Shedroof Divide within the Salmo Priest Wilderness. See WTA’s website for the full list and to sign up.  

The post The Trailhead: Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News — Your Guide to Outdoor Adventures in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Conservation & Education Intern Program, an exciting opportunity for individuals pursuing meaningful careers related to conservation and natural resources. The program is designed to encourage students who grew up in the area to return home for the summer, build career-level skills, and discover that meaningful careers exist right in their hometown. Interns gain real-world experience in conservation, nature education, land management and nonprofit operations.

An additional goal of the program is to assist interns with making valuable community connections that may potentially lead to future employment opportunities. KLT’s interns assist staff in meaningful work that advances the organization’s mission, including on-the-ground conservation efforts such as maintenance of Pine Street Woods and site visits to private conservation lands as well as supporting other youth education programs, community outreach, fundraising, and summer events to build local support for land conservation. Interested applicants can apply online at Kaniksu.org/internjobdescription or reach out with questions at (208)263-9471 or info@kaniksu.org.

The post Summer Internships Offered at Kaniksu Land Trust  appeared first on Out There Venture.

• Washington State Parks will hold a fee-free day (no Discover Pass required) on both Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Note that SnoParks on Washington State Park property are not included in fee-free days. 

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will be offering several fun winter outings! Advance registration is required and some trips may fill up, so check calendars and sign up right away. Offerings include Regal Creek on Jan. 11, Dry Creek Wildlife ID and Tracking on Feb. 8, a full moon snowshoe in coordination with Kaniksu Land Trust on Feb. 12, and a Ross Creek Cedars Snowshoe on Feb. 22. 

• Spokane Nordic’s Winterfest is on Jan. 19, with a mix of free events along with some reduced-cost ski lessons. Among the free activities will be a kid’s treasure hunt (ages 4 & up), adaptive equipment demos, and a chance to meet Captain Ginge, Mount Spokane’s jolly Nordic groomer operator! 

• Methow Trails Association is holding its annual Backyard Ski Day on Jan. 31. The usual daily pass fees will be waived for trail use this day, and there will be limited Nordic ski and fat bike demos, along with free cross-country ski lessons. 

Film Festivals 

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 10-12. A limited number of VIP event tickets are available as a fundraiser for several area nonprofits as well as regular festival passes. 

• Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Backcountry Ski Film Festival has several upcoming showings in our region! Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE), Inc. will host a showing in Sandpoint on Jan. 10. Montana Backcountry Alliance will host the film festival on Jan. 16. University of Idaho Outdoor Program will host one in Moscow Jan. 29, and Wild Montana—Flathead Kootenai Chapter, will host a showing on Feb. 6. 

Fundraisers 

• Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club will host its annual Best Hand Poker Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser on Jan. 4. For a nominal donation to the ski club, enter either the ski or snowshoe category and follow the marked route to collect playing cards. Best poker hands get top choice of prizes, but sometimes even the poor poker hands earn swag, as local businesses sponsor many prizes for this fun event! 

Stewardship, Conservation, & Volunteer Opportunities 

• Join Okanogan Highlands Alliance on Jan. 24 for an in-person presentation on Whitebark Pine: Ecology and Conservation at the Community Cultural Center of Tonasket. The event starts with a dinner benefitting the Community Cultural Center from 5 p.m.-6:15 p.m. The presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public.  

• Washington Trails Association will host several snowshoe work parties through the winter months at Spokane County Parks and Mount Spokane State Park. Winter trailwork tasks consist of trimming encroaching vegetation, trimming low tree branches, removing downfall trees from popular snowshoe routes, and shoveling trail bridges. Gear requirements vary based on current snow conditions for each trail, from boots with micro spikes sufficient to snowshoes necessary. Please contact the event leader with any questions about gear.  

The post Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News Jan/Feb 2025 appeared first on Out There Venture.

This past September, nearly 2,000 acres of North Idaho forest along Prichard Creek, a tributary of the Coeur d’Alene River between the town of Prichard and Thompson Pass, was protected from future development thanks to an Idaho Forest Group (IFG) donation of a conservation agreement to Kaniksu Land Trust. Portions of this section of Prichard Creek stand out to many who pass by due to the large piles of rock surrounding the waterway. These rock pile features were left behind from mining by the Yukon Gold Company that involved a frenzy of nearly non-stop, 24-hours-a-day dredging with a massive six-stories-high machine and crew of 12 men between 1917 and 1926.

The conservation agreement encompasses 1,023 acres of riparian habitat (10.5 miles of the 14-mile stream), 921 acres of forested uplands, and equates to an over three-million-dollar donation by Idaho Forest Group (IFG), one of the largest lumber producers in North America that owns and manages nearly 70,000 acres of land in Idaho and Washington, operates six sawmills, and employs nearly 1,300 workers. The Prichard Creek conservation agreement, a conservation easement between IFG and Kaniksu Land Trust where IFG donated the value of future development potential, permanently protects the area. The agreement also outlines continued restoration of the tributary and adjacent national forest public lands, in partnership with several non-profit conservation organizations and natural resource managers, including Trout Unlimited and Restoration Partnership.

“IFG’s commitment to forest stewardship and sustainability is at the heart of this work,” says IFG Owner, Marc Brinkmeyer. “We are proud to have partnered with many local, state, federal and conservation agencies to develop a multi-phase restoration plan to ensure the protection of this important area that offers a key habitat and holds such rich history.”

Years of hard-rock and placer mining have greatly impacted Prichard Creek, its floodplain and fish habitat. The creek had been severely degraded by the past mining that removed thousands of tons of sediment, created five-mile-long rock piles, altered the creek’s shape, reduced vegetation, eroded banks, increased sediment in the water, and caused a three-mile stretch to flow subsurface during summer months.

The first phase of the restoration project began in the summer of 2023 and included the strategic installation of natural wooden structures along a four-mile stretch of Prichard Creek (to restore water flow) and planting vegetation (to enhance ecosystems and naturally support the wooden structures).  This phase was funded by the Restoration Partnership—a group of federal, state, and tribal trustees—who aim to mitigate environmental damage from historical mining practices. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality served as the fiscal sponsor for the project and Trout Unlimited managed the project with significant involvement from IFG.

“We’ve seen a lot of positive outcomes a year later, including beaver activity, vegetation establishment, improved in-stream habitat diversity and increased use of the channel by cutthroat trout,” says North Idaho program manager for Trout Unlimited, Erin Plue. “We are very proud of the work this collaboration has done to date and look forward to continued restoration and protection.”

Despite the legacy of mining in and around the creek, long-term heavy metal contamination in the watershed is minimal compared to sections of the Coeur d’Alene River within the designated Superfund Site area of the Silver Valley and farther downstream, says Plue. “There don’t seem to be any lingering contamination hot spots, as most of the mill sites were cleaned up back in the early 2000s.” This is good news for fish, other wildlife, and anglers and means that despite the piles of mining debris that remain along much of this section of the creek, restoration efforts already underway can more quickly turn things around.

Ideally, the next phase of restoration will be in that central part of the Prichard Creek conservation parcel with the rock piles, says Plue. “It’s still in the planning phase,” she says, “but it’s looking like a significant portion of the piles would be removed to restore the flood plain over time as funding becomes available.”

Creek and fishery restoration efforts involve restoring meanders to the stream, but previously dredged sections of the creek bed that were excavated as deep as 25 feet in some places now allow sections of Prichard Creek to flow underground during low-flow summer months, making future restoration efforts to restore above-ground flow more complex and expensive, explains Plue. “A lot of this project is built around trapping sediment in some areas and moving it to others to create pools and stability.” In places where past dredging disturbed millions of years of fine sediment pockets that previously allowed the water to flow over, new underground dams of rock, logs, and fine sediments will need to be re-constructed to bring the above-ground stream flow back, she says.

Future phases will focus on improving access to fish habitats, securing water resources, providing public recreational access, ensuring forest health, preventing land conversion, halting further mining, and creating educational venues. The long-term project will involve securing grants for continued restoration efforts over many years. Plue emphasized that ongoing collaboration with Restoration Partnership has been and will continue to be crucial to the full restoration of Prichard Creek. The finalization of the conservation agreement is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of IFG and its many partners that include Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Trout Unlimited, the Restoration Partnership, and Kaniksu Land Trust.

The post Idaho Forest Group Spearheads Landmark Conservation Agreement for Coeur d’Alene River Tributary appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of the Kanisku Land Trust

“I think people my age are concerned that the place where we grew up is going to be lost to development.” – A 23-year-old Bonner County resident. 

Living in Sandpoint for decades, I’ve seen changes. The town has grown, traffic is heavier, and wild places have been developed. Yet, for the most part, Sandpoint has retained its rural character.  

Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) works to conserve the natural and cultural values of North Idaho and northwestern Montana. Through voluntary, legally binding conservation agreements, private landowners can limit development on their property, preserving its essence for future generations. 

KLT’s conservation efforts prioritize working lands, wildlife habitat, water, climate resilience, cultural significance, and community access. Land conservation doesn’t always mean public access, but it always benefits the public in some way.  

KLT also owns land, including public access properties such as Cabinet View Nature Area and Pine Street Woods. To clarify, these public access properties are not “public land,” which is, by definition, land owned by a government entity. While KLT is funded through generous voluntary support, its public spaces are privately owned. The goal is connecting people of all ages and abilities to the land in meaningful ways.   

KLT has conserved over 4,100 acres. By supporting conservation, we can all play a role in shaping our community’s future. To learn more or support our work, visit Kaniksu.org. 

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The post Kaniksu Land Trust: Keeping Idaho, Idaho  appeared first on Out There Venture.