Mission
Educate and advocate to protect and conserve the native wildlife and its enjoyment by the public in the Upper Henrys Fork Watershed.
Vision
The iconic wildlife of the Upper Henrys Fork Watershed will thrive in connected and sustainable habitats because citizens treasure diverse and healthy wildlife populations and understand what is required for their continued success.
Champions for Wildlife
We are the only citizens organization devoted solely to protecting healthy wildlife populations in the Upper Henrys Fork Watershed.
What Folks Are Saying
Todd Lanning, Island Park
"I am a native of Idaho born and raised. I love Idaho. The only reason I left was to serve my country and the day I got my discharge papers I came home to Idaho. I love to hunt and fish in Island Park. I love our wildlife. I like our robust and growing economy. Our business depends on hunting and fishing. That’s why I think it’s important to preserve and protect our wildlife."
JoAnn Shults, Island Park
"I am a fourth generation Idahoan. I live in Island Park, and I hunt, fish, and ride a 4-wheeler. I also believe in protecting wildlife and open spaces. We moved here because we love the wildlife. We should protect what we love."
Janet L. Keefer, St. Anthony
"My family has been in Idaho for more than a 100 years and I have lived in Fremont County for over 40 years. I am accustomed to living in a landscape filled with a diversity of wildlife - the elk, the deer, the moose, and bears - and strikingly beautiful natural wonders. Close to where I now live near St. Anthony, are wintering grounds for much of the unique wildlife which populates this county. It just makes sense to protect the wildlife and habitat that make this area so special."
Living With Wildlife
A PRIVILEGE & RESPONSIBILITY
She was a beautiful animal. Sleek, tall and strong, and highly protective of her yearling male calf which never strayed too far from her view. The duo was in winter survival mode when they settled into our neighborhood last February. It seemed that moving about on our plowed roads required less energy than breaking trail through six feet of snowpack. From these twisted roads, mother and calf could reach vital browse and find protection from the brutal Island Park winter.
Local residents used extra caution when walking dogs and driving. We didn’t want to spook or stress the moose, put ourselves at risk, or inadvertently push them onto nearby Highway 20 where they could face a deadly collision with motorists.
We loved seeing mother and calf and occasionally I would photograph them while they roamed the ‘hood in search of a meal. And there was that time when I opened the shades to our bedroom window to find the cow peering in with her bulbous nose pressed against the glass.
Some folks suggested that we feed the moose to ensure they survived the winter. Others offered that feeding any wildlife, while well intended, may cause more harm than good through habituation and difficulty with digesting unnatural foods. We opted for a laissez faire approach letting nature take its course.
It is both a privilege and a responsibility to coexist with wildlife. We use extra caution with bears and make efforts to keep odorous attractants at bay. We don’t leave coolers or garbage out, barbecues, gasoline cans and even bird feeders can attract bears. We try to make noise and carry bear spray while using local trails.
In late February it was reported to me the cow moose was hit and killed by a motorist on Highway 20. The calf was orphaned during its first winter alone. And though I believe he survived the winter, it was a hard reminder for each of us to slow down and be mindful of wildlife that may be utilizing roadways during times of deep snowpack and seasonal migrations.
(Charlie Lansche is a landscape and wildlife photographer residing in Island Park, Idaho.)
