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Greetings!

We've moved! What better place to announce our new digs than in The Dirt. That's right - our crew just got a new HQ! You can now find us at Aster Garden Center, 924 West Superior Street in Sandpoint.

The Aster Garden Center retail shop will open officially on National Gardening Day, April 14, with a Grand Re-Opening party. But, we’re inviting you to our office for an open house on January 29, any time from 3 to 6 PM.

We have big plans for making this space a hub for community conservation in Sandpoint. We’ll share more soon and definitely spill some dirt at the open house. Scroll down to our Cedar Circle bit for a hint of what’s ahead at Aster.



DRY AS DIRT

What was once a former logging truck mechanic shop is now buzzing with conservation, connection, and community work. It took so many hands to create this perfect next home for Kaniksu Land Trust. Many people donated time, materials, and resources for the renovation. We will recognize all these efforts in a big way at our Grand Re-Opening. For now, Katie shares our gratitude in this month's Dry as Dirt.

A Special Welcome

We are so excited to welcome a new member to the KLT Team. Cara Johnson comes to us from the East Bonner County Library District where she was the Library Garden Coordinator and Seed Librarian. Cara's experience and enthusiasm for conservation, connection, and community are a perfect fit for our crew and her new post as the Aster Garden Manager. We can't wait for you to meet her. We will include a deeper introduction in next month's eNews.



CONSERVATION

This is your moment

In the heart of the Priest River Valley lies a beautiful legacy property that’s in quiet jeopardy.

The land has been cared for by the same family since the late 1800's and has remained intact for all these years. Now, the last remaining heir to the 320-acre property is struggling to hold the land together.

She dreams of protecting it permanently for its mature forest, gurgling creek, wetlands and wildlife, but she may have no choice but to subdivide and sell part of it to stay afloat.

We never make asks like this.

But this is a critical moment. Will you help us purchase a conservation easement from this landowner to protect her family legacy lands forever?

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a real, lasting difference in our conservation work, this is your moment. Your gift could help keep this land intact forever.

We had an initial goal of $150,000 to help secure the land. A generous donor has stepped forward with a $50,000 commitment bringing our gap funding need to $100,000. We would love to talk with you over the phone or over coffee if contributing to this effort is something you are interested in. Or, you can donate now and help us maintain the character of this region.

*Please select "Saving Space Fund"

to attribute your donation to this project.

Land - They Aren't Making Any More Of It

For generations, a family fought to hold onto a piece of land that demanded everything they had. When the pressure to subdivide grew and the future felt uncertain, the current landowner faced a choice that would either end a legacy or protect it.

We hinted at this project back in November. Read the full story HERE.

PHOTO: Cole Golphenee Photography

Heads up in the Woods

KLT will be conducting multiple forestry projects in Pine Street Woods this winter to remove dead and dying trees and establish fuel breaks along property boundaries. When visiting your community forest, please be aware at all times and avoid areas where equipment is working.



COMMUNITY

💗 A Round of Love for our Cedar Circle



Announcing The Cedar Circle - KLT’s family of recurring donors.

During the entire month of February (and starting now if you are one for promptness), we’re giving gratitude for your love-in-action. This special launch promotion celebrates our founding recurring donor members and those new to our circle. All who join by setting up an automatic recurring donation of $10/month or more will receive a special treat delivered to your door.

New Cedar Circle members will be a part of our inaugural mug club at Aster. Get the first round on us in your very own pint at any event where we are pouring tasty sips!

Stand up for the Sled Hill

Our hearing for the Special Use Permit for the Sled Hill property is at 5:30 p.m. on February 5th with Dover Planning and Zoning. This is the first step in a two-part process that will later go to City Council for a final decision. You can help by sending a letter (City of Dover Planning & Zoning, PO Box 115, Dover, ID 83825) or email (cityclerk@cityofdoveridaho.org) of support or by attending the hearing in person. Review our submission packet HERE (under Public Hearings).



Two For The Trails



Cheers to Athletic Brewing for backing our trail dreams! Thanks to their Two For The Trails program, we’re getting an extra lift on the Muskrat Trail, a universal access trail around the pond at the Sled Hill property. This new loop will be welcoming to all abilities. Think smooth paths, a wide boardwalk (built with PSW boards from Kaniksu Lumber!), and friendly fishing spots so everyone can enjoy the pond.

Big thanks to Athletic Brewing for helping break down barriers and bring more people outside. This is what community-powered trails look like.

Athletic Brewing Company LLC. Milford, CT and San Diego, CA. Near Beer <0.5% alc/vol. 

CONNECTION

Wild about Washington ReWild



The Stimson-Miller Foundation was so inspired by the Washington Elementary School reWild project that they awarded the full amount of our grant request and added an extra $11,000 on top of it! Can you believe it?!

That excitement was shared by the Washington Elementary PTA and education community which raised supporting dollars through their annual jog-a-thon. This along with past grant support from The Equinox Foundation will help the Washington School reWild begin this spring with the building of a new timber frame outdoor classroom, thanks to this overwhelming community support.



Kaniksu Folk School is gearing up for the Spring line up of classes.

Sign up for our Class Blasts for alerts.

Celebrate Partner Sponsors!

Their support protects the lands, views, and trails that make our community happier every day. Join us in thanking them and consider standing alongside them as we continue this work together. 

Please take notice of this Notice

Kaniksu Land Trust is seeking funding from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation's Recreational Trails Program grant to complete trail construction and develop a trailhead for a public access property on Jewel Lake Road. For more information, questions or comments please contact KLT at 208-263-9471.

P.S. I've got a quick Q4U:

If KLT hosted an educational event on a nature subject next month, what topic would get you off the couch to come to it? Reply to this email with your answer.

Connect with your people on and off the trail when you

join our WhatsApp community.

Uncover past issues of The Dirt HERE.

Kaniksu Land Trust acknowledges that we work within the traditional territories of Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Kalispel Tribe, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe.