“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better. This is to have succeeded.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

2016 Highlights & Annual Report

The property, located atop Pine Street hill, has been dubbed “Pine Street Woods” — an area of rolling hills blanketed with

evergreens, open meadows and beautiful vistas. We envision

a place where people can come to recreate, unwind,

explore, or attend myriad programs pertaining to forest health and the outdoors.

The effort to create a community forest will require strong public support to succeed. KLT has two years to raise the necessary funds to close the deal.

“It’s a special place for sure,” says owner Joe Weisz. “I’m happy to see that the land trust can take over ownership. I’d like to see it remain open for the deer, elk, moose and other wildlife up there.”

The land will be managed to high-light its benefits to wildlife, clean water, and community recreation and education. And it will continue to be a working forest, carefully managed for forest health and fire prevention. There will be unlimited access for schools and community members. And the land will remain on the tax rolls. If you would like to get involved in this important project, please give us a call.

Pine Street Woods: A forest for all For a community surrounded by outlying national forests and public lands, many of our residents have access to few undeveloped natural areas that can be reached without a lengthy car ride. That’s about to change. KLT has launched a campaign to acquire 160 acres for a community forest near Sandpoint and Dover.

“This project is music to the ears and a delight to the eyes” – Marianne Love

author and educator

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7 QUICK FACTSAbout Kaniksu Land Trust conservation agreements

If you, or someone you know, is interested in conserving your land, here are some quick facts about conservation agreements.

Voluntary. Farm, ranch, or wildlife conservation agreements are voluntary and do not require public access. You retain your private property rights.

Your ownership retained. You can sell it, lease it, give it to your kids or family, or any combination thereof. The agreement runs with the land.

Flexible. Farming, ranching, hunting, forestry, home-based businesses, recreational uses, and a limited number of house sites and/or property divisions may be permitted.

Tailored to you. Each conservation agreement is unique to the land it conserves and to your vision for your property.

Versatile. Woodlands, wildlife habitat, streams and wetlands, farms and ranches, and recreational opportunities can all be conserved in the same agreement.

Estate planning benefits. Conserving your land can help with your estate planning, significantly reduce your estate taxes, and often allows for a smoother transition to the next generation.

Tax savings. You may also greatly reduce your federal income tax liability for several years, starting the year you conserve your land. This might help offset capital gains as well.

Permanent. Conservation agreements are designed to outlast us all, leaving you with the peace of mind of knowing that your land will remain as it is today long into the future.

Seventy five acres of wonderfulSomething wonderful has happened near Clark Fork, Idaho. With help from community partners, KLT has purchased 75 acres of wetlands and forest, home to moose, elk, songbirds, and squirrels.

This land will provide an important home for wildlife, as well as for KLT’s blossoming education programs. It is a space for children to gather to learn about the wetlands and woods, and to care for trees and trails. It’s also a place for community members like you to enjoy a peaceful walk or soak up the views. Stay tuned for an invite to explore with us.

Twin CreekA clear stream gurgling through cedar groves, upland forests for moose to wander, and open meadows where hay grows tall.

Thanks to your support, KLT has conserved an additional 100 acres of forest and field along Twin Creek in eastern Bonner County. This land will always be open for birds and wildlife to roam, and for you to enjoy the view when traveling scenic River Road between Clark Fork and Heron.

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Open the door and run outside

Now both can be found in abundance with a visit to the StoryWalk at Dover City Park. KLT has partnered with Dover and East Bonner County Library to install beautiful cedar kiosks on the banks of the Pend Oreille River to house rotating children’s stories. The sound of honking geese now melds with children’s giggles as they romp from one page to the next. Lace up your sneakers and come see for yourself. A new kind of story is unfolding.

A new kind of storyChildren need stories. And families need fun.

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How do you estimate the impact on kids of an hour immersed in nature? Or of the chance to build a bird’s nest by hand of mud and straw? Can value be placed on a child’s connection to a tree? Or the discovery of a favorite kind of bird? These questions may be unanswerable in the present moment. But time will tell.

Hello, I’m Dave, KLT’s Environmental Educator. Each week I visit local elementary schools to share and teach about the mysteries of nature. Whether the topic is birds, trees, or a bug’s life, each week presents a new opportunity (and challenge) to engage kids in a fun, experiential lesson about the world around them.

How do we best connect today’s children with the amazing world outside? More than any time in history, I believe the youth of today need nature. And KLT is committed to opening the door and encourag-ing young people to run outside and into the woods.

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“It’s refreshing to provide our students with the opportunity to connect with nature in a tactile way.” – Andrea Aumick, 4th grade teacher

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All that changed with the diagnosis of a rare and incurable liver disease. The sole treatment, massive doses of prednisone, led to devastating consequences. After the first round of treatment alone, I had gained over a hundred pounds. I stopped visiting friends, or even venturing outdoors.

My doctor suggested a dog to motivate me towards increased activity. This worked for some time, but then my symptoms flared, leading to more prednisone therapy. When my dog passed away, I gave up. I no longer had a reason to leave my house…or my couch.

After a year of inactivity, I decided to try again. I had heard about a class called Walk with Ease, offered by KLT through Sandpoint Parks and Recreation. The program offered a non-threatening environment for

walking three times a week with an emphasis on getting outside and moving, regardless of pace. I had found my answer.

Walk with Ease opened a new world for me. I was committed to my group and looked forward to our outings. The pounds started to slide off and, more importantly, I was gaining new friendships and learning to appreciate my community. My mental and physical health were both improving.

This program changed everything for me. In addition to providing a tool to tackle my health challenges, it gave me the opportunity to connect with my community, and with the natural world, one step at a time. Now I know that regardless of what life throws my way, I can always step outside for a walk. And so can you.

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Rosemary walksNine years ago I was an active individual with a fulfilling career and a happy life.

This story is modified from an excerpt written by Rosemary O’Brian and published with permission.

Held at the University of Idaho, Sandpoint property, some 50 volunteers tabulated over 300 species while catching snakes and bats, pressing plants, sampling mushrooms, and generally having a great time learning from one another.

KLT’s Bio Blitz was conducted in coordination with dozens of others across the country to commemorate 100 years of national parks.

Locally, we paid tribute to nearly 100 years of education and opportunity on this special parcel of land.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the blitz a blast, and especially to the University of Idaho for their sponsorship and support.

BLITZ was a BLAST Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our fabulous volunteers, KLT’s inaugural Bio Blitz proved to be energizing, engaging, educational, and more.

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IndividualsAnonymous (6)Irene AdlerRob Aldrich & Lisa PalmerSusan AllenElizabeth J. ArnaultJames & Jeanine AschePamela AunanKathy AustinDavid & Camille BalfanzClaire BarnumIan & Cheryl BarrettSusan K. Beard “Sube”Kelsey BrasseurDiane BrockwayTamara & Tom BryantErin BusbyChris & Genevieve CampbellChris & Kathy ChambersTom & Donna ChasseJac & Susan KeanMaria Corsini & Troy TvrdyJohn Cosolito & Risa DevoreK. CousinsBrian & Katie CoxKathi & Charlie CraneRebekah & Grey DavisBob & Linda DavisLexie de FremeryJack & Janice DeBaunChris DeForest & Caroline WoodwellAllen & Mary DeLaneyNancy Dooley & Reid TreadawayGary DreanSusan Drumheller & Mike MurrayEric J. EldenburgLarry EngStephen & Julie FerwerdaRonald & Laura ForsbergJane FritzStephen Bond GarvanJean GerthLori Getts & Clement YonkerJonathan GoodierEric & Celeste GraceMichael & Sue GraceJeremy & Anna GraceBrewster & Anne GraceKen & Mary Jo HaagDon HagenNate & Gina HallJay & Beverly HansonBrian HarveyChris Hecht & Cheyenna Whittier

Steven HoltRod Dosher & Jane HooverBruce & Debra HowardKathy HubbardThe HuntsbergersJudith HutchinsSuzanne & Mike JewellMaude & Tim KentDee & Ray KosseDaniel Krabacher & Cate HuismanKerry KresgeMark & Susan KubiakSteven Lazar & Susan ShawMarianne & William LoveDr. & Mrs. David MacciniJulie McCallanIrvin & Michele McGeachyDan & Patty McLaughlinJim & Sandii MellenHarry MenserJulie & Steve MeyerAnne & Bill MitchellSandra MurdockKevin MurrayLinda & Steve NavarreWendy NintemanBrita OlsonMolly O’Reilly & Steve LockwoodDauray OwensBob & Sue PaDelfordJack ParkerLaird & Shawna ParryRobert C. PekarekMary PeppingTimothy & Margaret PetersenJohn & Ardith PierceMrs. Harvey PineNicky PleassGus Plumb & Susan StroudRegan Plumb & Chad LandrumKylie & Robert PrestaKaren Price & Len KrauseTeresa & Michael RancourtVicki Reich & Jon HagadoneBecky ReynoldsJeffrey RichTom Riggs & Georgia YorkLynda RobertsJohn & JoAnn RohyansLouisa & Michael RubyPaul & Jan RumoreCalvin & Irene RyderMark & Yvonne SavariseStephen Schultz & Romey StuckartAlice Sloane

Bruce & Meredith SterlingMargaret SwinfordJudy & Chris ThompsonCarole & Lenny ThorellAmy TrujilloTamara & Steve VerbyLeslie VillelliBruce & Sue VogelsingerLibby WalkerKate & Erick WalkerSteve & Sandra WallDavid & Laurelie WallAnnie & Gates WatsonPat & Carol WestDiane & Clay WilliamsCharlotte WilliamsRuth & Dan WimberlySally WoodCarol WrightDenise Zembryki & Ron MamajekJim Zuberbuhler

FoundationsAvista FoundationCadeau FoundationCinnabar FoundationCloud Family Foundation FundEducational Legacy FundEquinox FoundationHeart of the Rockies InitiativeIdaho Coalition of Land TrustsJanus FoundationLand Trust AllianceLOR FoundationNorcross Wildlife FoundationTides Foundation

Businesses (includes in-kind donations)

All Seasons Garden & FloralAlliance Title & Escrow Corp.Arthur Goldblum – Acupuncture Center

Berg & McLaughlin AttorneysClark Fork Settlement Agreement – Avista Corporation

Community Consultants – Judith Anderson

D.A. Davidson & Co.Gll2, Inc.Gold Creek Ranch Corp.Idaho Pour AuthorityInland Forest Management

Johnson Law Firm, PLLCKeokeeMickDuff’s Brewing CompanyMountain CommunicationsSandpoint ComputersSandpoint Equine, PLLCSelkirk Association of RealtorsTolson & WaymentU.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceW Design

VolunteersDerek AntonelliJocelyn AycriggErin BassRod Barcklay Susan K. Beard “Sube”Janet BenoitJimmy & Gail BolinKen BouwensDavid BranhamErin BusbyKelly ChadwickBill CollierHoward ConverseJennifer Costich-ThompsonPhil DegensRich Del CarloTravis DicksonBill DonadioDiana DukeJim EkinsRod EngelConn EvansFred ForssellMary FranzelJane FritzLori Getts & Clement YonkerCeleste GraceAli HakalaMary & Daniel HaleyJohn & Susan HarbuckJohn HastingsFiona & Peter HicksJane HooverCarrie HugoBryan HultDeb HunsickerSarah JacobsRobert JakubowskiSusan & Jac KeanSusannah KretzschmarIndia KucherrySheri Kuykendall

Together we are making a big difference… from taking care of the land to taking care of our community… the two are closely linked. We couldn’t do this important work without you.

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Together we are making a big difference… from taking care of the land to taking care of our community… the two are closely linked. We couldn’t do this important work without you.

A thank you from Eric

We are proud to serve the residents of Bonner County, Idaho and Sanders County, Montana, and to be making a lasting impact on quality of life for all. As we anticipate the opportunities presented by a new year, we are more grateful than ever for our supporters. Because of you, KLT has evolved into a true community-based land trust, YOUR land trust.

I would like to extend a special thank you to the many people who shared their time and talents in so many ways over the past year. Whether by helping with a school outing, joining our bio blitz, or pulling weeds and plucking trash, you made 2016 a very memorable year.

**For a complete financial statement please visit www.guidestar.org..

2016 Operating Incomen Foundation Grants $148,320n Contributions $ 53,354n Other* $ 59,384

Total $261,058*Stewardship Donations, Contract Fees, Events, Interest

2016 Operating Expensesn Program Services $ 184,065n Administration $ 54,137n Fundraising $ 32,482

Total $ 270,684Expense figures unaudited; audit to be completed soon.

Silvi & Miles LandrumChad LandrumLuc LeblancMarianne & William LoveErin MaderEric MaloneKimberley MarshallHannah MarxGraham McLarenJim & Sandii MellenSusan MillerDiego Morales-BriomesJulie NyeRosemary O’BryanBrita OlsonMolly O’ReillyJeff PennickHolly PenningtonNicky PleassKylie & Robert PrestaGina PucciMisty RainsHallie ReikowskyBecky ReynoldsEd RobinsonLisa & Martin RodriguesJoanne RohyansMegan RuffleyScott RulanderShane SaterNancy SchmidtKaren SjoquistKatherine StricklerGarrett StrizichJacob Styer & Lindsey LarsonDavid TankKen Thacker & Bonnie JakubosDoug & Mary TolandKate & Erick WalkerJim WatkinsMason WhiteCarol WilburnJason WileyDick WilliamsLukas WolfEverett WoodKent YoungdahlDenise Zembryki & Ron Mamajek

We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions. Please contact Eric if you have any corrections. Thank you.

Conservation can’t happen without you. You are making a difference every day.

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P.O. Box 2123Sandpoint, ID 83864

OFFICE

1215 Michigan, Suite ASandpoint, ID 83864

208-263-9471info@kaniksu.orgKaniksu.org

We’re here for you…Want to find out about new projects, family-friendly programs and hikes, the latest conservation tips and community events?

Sign up for our electronic updates and Facebook. It’s easy to do. Just go to our website at www.kaniksu.org.

We don’t share our mailing lists, so your privacy is protected.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.”

– Greek proverb

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BOARD

Kyler Wolf, PresidentNate Hall, SecretaryDiane Williams, TreasurerKatherine CousinsAllen DelaneyBrian HarveyJudy HutchinsDan KrabacherKathy MaudroneBruce SterlingJim Zuberbuhler

STAFF

Eric Grace Executive Director

Regan Plumb Land Protection Specialist

Anne Mitchell Administrative Assistant

Suzanne Tugman-Engel Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator

Dave Kretzschmar Environmental Educator

Cami Murray ParkRx Manager

Cover photo: ©Fiona Hicks Photography.