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Photo by Fred Forssell: Rufous Hummingbird on a cedar bough

Hi, my friend

We weren't sure that this little hummer was the right feature image for this issue of The Dirt. But, we all agreed that it is the perfect representation of the work we are all doing together - buzzing wildly, yet focused. Each facet of this work is like the shifting iridescence of this bird's feathers; the impacts are felt differently from each unique perspective.

A tiny but mighty creature, Rufous here may need to eat up to 300% of its body weight to support all the work that it does. Likewise, our tiny crew could never accomplish all that we do without the support of a larger community, one of those members being you.

So, dig in to see how every bit of support keeps this work buzzing, from a local wildlife photographer's donation of a bird photo collection, to a ninja jack-of-all-trades who gifts his time and talents on the daily. And how your support nourishes conservation, connection, and community.



Love Local. Give Local.



Live Give 7B is here (May 4–7). It’s our region’s week to show up for the places and people that make our region a special part of Idaho. It's really about people like you who make our area unique in the world.

This year, we’re working toward a $60,000 goal to care for the lands that tell our story, from forests and waterways to the places we gather, learn, and belong.



And right now, your gift goes further. Every donation is matched 2:1, with $38,000 in matching funds ready to be unlocked.

If you’ve ever walked these trails, sent your kids outside to learn, or found a moment of quiet in the woods, this is your chance to give back.



DRY AS DIRT

You may not fully realize how many generous, hard-working people it takes to accomplish this work we are doing together. In Katie’s Dry As Dirt letter this month, she tells us about someone who is consistently working behind the scenes, but whose work is evident all around the KLT HQ. Read your letter.



CONSERVATION

Trimming for tree health

Pine Street Woods recently got a glow up. Actually, it's less about looking pretty and more about reducing fire fuels and keeping the forest healthy. We timed the project to avoid damage to saturated soils and disturbance to nesting birds.

The 16-acre fuels project was not a logging operation. Large trees were left while small risky fuels were removed in strategic locations to create fire breaks. This project was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and guided by our forestry committee who help care for Pine Street Woods.

Kaniksu Lumber currently has a small selection of logs available and we are taking orders for custom milling. Got a small backyard project? This could be a great time to grab some locally sourced wood that supports your local community forest! Contact Kaniksu Lumber



Shape the land you love

Bonner County is looking for residents to serve on the Natural Resources Committee (four open seats, two-year term, quarterly meetings). Send a letter of interest by April 30 to the Board of County Commissioners if you’d like to help shape local natural resource decisions.

CONNECTION

What is nature-immersive education?

Learning is going old-school: outside. Let the land lead starts in schoolyards and stretches into forests, rivers, and working lands across our region.

This work doesn’t happen alone. We’re proud to stand alongside dedicated partners: schools, educators, and community leaders, who share a belief that learning is strongest when it’s rooted in place.

"It is not extra. It is real learning tied to real places."

-Dr. Becky Meyer, Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent



COMMUNITY

CLT Homes Welcome Their Families

All six Community Land Trust homes in Priest River’s Village at Riverview Ridge are now home to local working families.

That means six families with stability. A place to stay. A chance to put down roots in the community they help make strong every day.

This kind of change takes a true team effort.

We’re especially grateful to Tyler Wagner for the extraordinary time and care he brought to the real estate side of this project—work that was critical to getting these families home.

We’re proud to stand alongside the many partners and supporters who made this possible, including Mountain West Bank, Idaho Central Credit Union, the Equinox Foundation, Sangham Foundation, Bonner Community Housing Agency, LEAP Housing, Avista Foundation, the Land Trust Alliance, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Charlie & Donna Parrish, and several generous anonymous donors.

Six homes. Six families. A stronger future for our region.

Housing is health

Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health supported 10 different housing initiatives in Idaho over the past year. One of which was the Village at Riverview Ridge CLT partnership. Recognizing the key role that affordable homeownership plays in health, Blue Cross of Idaho prioritizes projects that keep local working families rooted in their communities. We love that.



It's not all about sledding

Photo by Fiona Hicks Photography: Children fishing at the Sled Hill pond in summer

Work is underway at the Sled Hill, following a community-shaped plan approved by Dover City Council last month. Throughout April, we’re expanding parking, improving the access road, adding a vault toilet, and building a new trail around the pond.

Exciting? Yes. Possible temporary closures, though. Join our WhatsApp community or watch our website to know before you go.



Photo by Woods Wheatcroft: A couple toasts their Cedar Circle membership with their personalized pints.

Another Round for Cedar Circle

Cedar Circle members got their first taste of what it means to be a part of our family of recurring donors with a round of drinks and a personalized pint at the Aster Garden Center Grand Opening event. In fact, all Cedar Circle members can expect to find their pint at KLT homegrown events filled with a tasty beverage to toast the work we are all doing together. Want to step into the circle?

ASTER GARDEN CENTER NEWS

Photo: Aster Nursery Manager, Cara Johnson

Mother's Day Celebration - Tea & Flowers



Once you grow dahlias, it’s hard not to become a little obsessed.

After an amazing Grand Opening event earlier this month, we hope you'll join us for a special Mother’s Day gathering at Aster, featuring a hands-on dahlia workshop with professional grower Freya Jensen. You’ll learn how to plant, care for, and enjoy these standout blooms all season long.

We’ll also be offering a one-day special on dahlia bulbs and potted dahlias—along with savings on everything in bloom.

Come linger in the garden. Enjoy tea, coffee, treats, and time to slow down and take it all in.

May 10 from 10 - 4pm | Aster Garden Center, 924 W. Superior St. Learn more →



Women in the Woods is back!

Friday, May 8

9am to 3pm

Pine Street Woods

$10 per person

Tailored to (but not exclusively for) women landowners and land stewards, Women in the Woods is a field day with sessions on weed management, wildfire preparedness, tree/plant ID, and more.

Lunch is included with the $10 registration.

Space is limited, so secure your spot now by registering at this link.

Welcome to our newest Partner Sponsor!

Our Partner Sponsors do more than support events. They make this work possible. By covering key event costs, they ensure that every dollar raised goes directly into conservation, education, and community programs that strengthen this region.

It’s a true partnership, one that connects local businesses and leaders to the land, the people, and the future we’re building together. Learn More



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.