Stewardship
Stewardship program
Once a conservation easement transaction is completed, the land trust shares responsibility with the landowner to ensure the conservation values (e.g., wildlife habitat, working farms and ranches) of the property are present for future generations. Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust uses a variety of tools to establish or maintain sustainable land management practices and works with agency and funding partners to monitor conservation easements, complete restoration projects, organize volunteer clean-ups, and more.
Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust often recruits volunteers to complete these projects. To be added to the volunteer list, click on the button below.
Monitoring Season
May – September
Every year, the Land Trust monitors all conservation and fee-title properties to ensure that the terms of the agreement are upheld and that the conservation values of the property are maintained.
Volunteers, interns and committee members play a huge role in our monitoring visits by identifying local plants and wildlife, building knowledge of landscape features, educating the Land Trust on landscape history, and so much more. In return, our supporters are provided the unique experience of touring private and public properties throughout Southeastern Idaho while learning about Land Trust and agency projects in the landscape. This program provides Sagebrush Steppe with an ability to connect our communities to the landscape we love.
Interested in volunteering? Please fill out the volunteer intake form. Contact amme@sagebrushlandtrust.org for questions.
Restoration Projects
Curlew National Grassland
In partnership with the US Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and a host of other partners, we are working to improve water quality and retention in Rock Creek located in the Curlew National Grassland. By re-elevating three miles of streambank, we are working to reduce bank erosion and reconnect the creek to its historic floodplain. Background for this project can be found on our YouTube page at: https://youtu.be/o0hqmy1DH8s
VIDEOS OF THE CURLEW
Kackley Springs
As a cold-water input to the Bear River, Kackley Springs is an important spawning tributary for Bonneville cutthroat trout. Restoration efforts are intended to improve riparian habitat, water quality, and provide cover from predators for native fish populations. To date, we have removed non-native Russian olive and done a series of native vegetation plantings.
Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
In partnership with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust is working to improve stream habitat and increase Yellowstone cutthroat trout production, survival, and connectivity on 6 miles of the Blackfoot River. Restoration work is located on the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), approximately 20 miles northeast of Soda Springs and directly bordering the Rasmussen Valley Mine.
