Sawtooth Society Founder Bethine Church Will Be Missed
Bethine Church, the principle founder of the Sawtooth Society, died in her home at age 90 on December 21st, 2013.
Church was well known as a champion for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area as well as all Idaho wilderness and was, until very recently, still actively involved in the Sawtooth Society. Her absence will be felt by all associated with the society.
“Bethine was truly a driving force, in concert with her amazing husband Frank, in both the creation of the Sawtooth NRA and its ongoing protection,” said Sawtooth Society President Paul Hill.
Bethine and her husband, Idaho Senator Frank Church, were the catalysts for established protection of many areas in Idaho including the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. After her husband’s passing, Bethine continued his legacy by actively and effectively fighting for the beautiful, rugged lands of Idaho.
One way she did this was by founding an advocacy group to help protect the Sawtooth NRA. Bethine saw threats of subdivision development in the Stanley Basin area and realized that the Forest Service lacked the funds to purchase conservation easements to stop it. As a solution, in 1997, Bethine Church, working with Jim McClure, Bob Hayes, Orval Hansen, Cecil Andrus and others, formed the Sawtooth Society.
“From the formation of the Society in 1997, Bethine remained active in most aspects of Society activities, always encouraging us to do as much as possible to protect and enhance the place she loved so much,” Hill said, “To say she has provided an inspiration to all of us in guiding and implementing Society work is truly an understatement.”
Many believe that, without the support and continued engagement of Bethine Church, the Sawtooth Society would not be the successful advocacy organization that it is.
“One of the joys of my five plus years as Executive Director, was getting to know and work with Bethine,” Sawtooth Society Executive Director Gary O’Malley said, “We owe the work and accomplishments of the Society to Bethine’s vision and her creativity and stamina to establish and help guide the organization over the last 17 years.”
All who worked along side her with the Sawtooth Society will sorely miss Bethine Church. Click below for more information on her amazing life.
http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/Idaho-Democratic-matriarch-Bethine-Church-dies-236952061.html
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/21/2939833/bethine-church-a-political-life.html
