Who We Are

Photo Credit: Matt Leidecker

Who is the Sawtooth Society?

We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). We work alongside national, regional, and local organizations and governments to protect the values of the SNRA. Additionally, we partner with dozens of nonprofits that work towards preserving, protecting, and enhancing the public lands that we recreate on, hunt, and call home.

Sawtooth Society Organizational Case Statement

History & Mission

Organization & Management

All Form 990's

Funding

Staff

Mike Hoover

Acting Executive Director

Email: mike@sawtoothsociety.org

Phone: 208.481.9675

Mike joined the Sawtooth Society as the Director of Operations in the spring of 2024. He has always enjoyed the outdoors, with a passion for community, nonprofits, and the outdoors.

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mike graduated from Central Michigan University and moved to Sun Valley, having never even stepped foot in Idaho before. He began his career at Sun Valley Resort in the Catering and Convention Services Department. From there, he was brought on as the first staff member of The Argyros Performing Artc Center, an under-construction state of the art venue in the heart of Ketchum. There, as the Director of Operations, he oversaw over 2,000 events and helped raise over $15m for other nonprofits in the valley. Mike joined the Sawtooth Society as the Director of Operations in the spring of 2024. He has always enjoyed the outdoors, with a passion for community, nonprofits, and the outdoors.

In the Spring of 2026, Mike stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director and is looking forward to expanding the Sawtooth Society’s role in Preserving, Protecting, and Enhancing the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

In his spare time, you can find Mike on the hundreds of premium unpaved roads riding his gravel bike, hiking the Sawtooths, playing hockey, curling, or skate skiing with his partner Sarah and border collie Betty on the groomed SNRA trails!

Melinda Markin –
SVWFC Project Coordinator

Email: ProjectCoordinator@sawtoothsociety.org

With an extensive background in conservation, Melinda brings a decade of expertise in fire ecology and project management. She is leading the growth of the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative through workshops, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.