To All Our Members: THANK YOU! And Happy New Year.
Dear valued Sawtooth Society members,
We hope that a trip (or two) to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is in store for you in 2014. The undiminished alpine views and peaceful nature of the Sawtooth NRA makes it something worth visiting and protecting.
The Sawtooth Society’s only goal is to do just that. We make it our sole mission to ensure that the Sawtooth NRA remains the incredible gem it is today and without the support of the public, we would not able to fulfill this mission.
So we would like to thank you very much for your support of the Sawtooth Society! Without the generous donations of people like you, we would not be able to continue our important work of advocating for the Sawtooth NRA. Here are just a few of the projects that you made possible:
2013 was a banner year for the Sawtooth Society. We launched the Austin Kraal Memorial Volunteer Program under which almost 200 volunteers completed 12 important projects within the Sawtooth NRA. Projects included clearing barbed wire from old fences, maintaining trails, picking up trash, and removing invasive weeds from the area.
In partnership with the Trust for Public Lands, the Sawtooth Society also secured the development rights for the Rodeo Grounds Ranch, one of the largest unprotected properties remaining in the Sawtooth NRA. Only 5 miles from Stanley, straddling Valley Creek, and with stunning views of the Sawtooths, this piece of land was very vulnerable to development and subdividing. Now, it will remain undeveloped for generations to come.
The Sawtooth Society also partnered with the City of Stanley and the Forest Service to create a broad-based group of Sawtooth and Wood River Valley stakeholders to address the potential for catastrophic wildfire. The Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative is developing practical steps to reduce wildfire risk in the Sawtooth NRA.
Another important issue in the Stanley Basin right now is the proposed National Monument in Boulder and White Cloud ranges. The Sawtooth Society spent 2013 bringing transparency to this issue through media outreach and public educational forums and is looking to continue to do so as this issue progresses.
These types of activities would not be possible without your support. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is in the hands of those who enjoy it. Thank you for allowing us to be its main ambassador!
