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NEWS RELEASES

January 19, 2001

Sawtooth Society Supports Winter Recreation Map and Guide

September 30, 2000

SNRA Area Students Star In “CRASH” Competition

August 2, 2000

Sawtooth Society Event Nets $53,000 - $17,000 Earmarked for Search and Rescue Services - SNRA "Heroes" Honored

July 21, 2000

Sawtooth Society Donates $12,000 for SNRA Trails

July 6, 2000

Redfish Lake Amphitheater to be Renovated

June 23, 2000

Redfish Lake Interpretive Programs Receive Sponsorship

January 25, 2000

New Idaho License Plate to Benefit SNRA

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January 19, 2001

Sawtooth Society Supports Winter Recreation Map and Guide

Stanley – The Sawtooth Community Winter Recreation Partnership (SCWRP) has received an $800 grant from the Sawtooth Society to produce a map and guide for winter recreationists in the northern end of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).

The full-color map and guide covers the Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin. The publication identifies public and private lands, motorized and non-motorized trails, and areas that are closed to motorized travel.

In making the financial grant, Bob Hayes, executive director of the Sawtooth Society said, “We commend SCWRP for accommodating the legitimate but differing needs of motorized and non-motorized recreationists. As a result of their efforts, snowmobilers, skiers and snowshoers will be better able to enjoy all of the winter recreation opportunities that the area has to offer.”

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September 30, 2000

SNRA Area Students Star In “CRASH” Competition

Stanley – Proud parents and youngsters with mile-wide smiles were among the nearly 120 locals who gathered at the first Sawtooth Season “Crash” and Fun Fair, September 30, at the Stanley Air Taxi hangar. The event featured a display of student art and essay contest entries and a ceremony to award each of the eight winners with a $50 check for their efforts.

“The students really got excited about expressing their personal appreciation for this special place,” said Mary Ellen Easom, Stanley School Head Teacher, “and they’ve been on pins and needles all week, waiting to see who won.” With so many creative entries, the choice was difficult. The essay contest winners were: (K-2) Erick Forsgren, (3-5) Alisha Earl, (6-8) Hans Howard and (High School) Shawn Bourdon. The art contest winners were: (K-2) Erick Forsgren, (3-5) Mattie Griswold, (6-8) Jessie Downing and (High School) Shawn Bourdon. Honorable Mention winners included Molly Somerville, Matthew Bourdon, K-Lene Kuhn, Abbie Guinter, John Downing, Drake Anderson, Dale Reese, Kayla Knight, Taylor Simms, Caitlyn Cullen, Mariah Jokinen, Brittany Woolley, Maggie Jokumsen, Brandyn Knight, Bryce Reese, Lathan Jokinen and Wheaton Forsgren.

In addition to the student competition, the semi-pot luck event offered and end-of-the-summer activity exchange, animal tracks printing on T-shirts and music by The Headwaters. Party games and festive favors added to the fun as neighbors gathered to heap their plates and ease into winter in the high country.

Sponsored by the Sawtooth Society, the season’s end celebration and student competition focused on expressing an appreciation for the unique natural, historical and recreational qualities and sense of community within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. “This was just the low-key, family atmosphere party we all needed after a hectic season of visitors and fires,” said event chairman Laurii Gadwa. “We went home with full bellies and great ideas for next year.”

Bob Hayes, the Society’s executive director was pleased with the enthusiasm generated at the event. He said, “it was wonderful to witness the camaraderie of the folks who live and work in the SNRA and their positive feelings toward this very special part of Idaho. We’re happy that the “CRASH” could provide the community with an opportunity to celebrate.”

Contact: Donna-Marie Hayes

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August 2, 2000

Sawtooth Society Event Nets $53,000 - $17,000 Earmarked for Search and Rescue Services - SNRA "Heroes" Honored

Stanley, Idaho - A benefit dinner and auction held last weekend to raise funds for the Sawtooth Society netted approximately $53,000.

All proceeds will be used by the Society to protect the natural, historical and recreational features of the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).

Society Executive Director Bob Hayes said the Society will spend a portion of the proceeds for emergency search and rescue services. He said approximately $17,000 will be invested in equipment and training for the volunteer Stanley Fire Technical Rescue Team. The team comes to the aid of people who become injured, lost or stranded while recreating within the boundaries of the SNRA.

The event -- the second annual "Sagebrush Soiree" -- was held July 29 at Michael and Candace Humphreys' Fourth of July Ranch in the Sawtooth Valley. Approximately 150 people dined outdoors in the shadows of the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains, bid on items during live and silent auctions and danced under the stars to a local bluegrass band.

The Society also used the event to recognize public figures and private citizens who led the effort to create the SNRA in 1972 and who are playing a major role at present in providing for its ongoing protection. Receiving engraved glass replicas of the mountains that encircle the SNRA were: Cecil Andrus, former Idaho Governor and U.S. Interior Secretary; Bethine Church, widow of former U.S. Senator Frank Church; U.S. Senator Larry Craig; U.S. Senator Mike Crapo; Ernie Day, citizen activist; Deb DesLaurier, SNRA Area Ranger; Ed Elliott, citizen activist; Orval Hansen, former U.S. Congressman; Jim Lyons, U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture, Natural Resources-Environment; Jim McClure, former U.S Senator; Gray Reynolds, former SNRA Area Ranger; and Paul Ries, former SNRA Area Ranger.

All auction items were fully donated. The live auction included a two-day horse pack trip into the Sawtooth Wilderness Area for four people with Mystic Saddle Ranch, a five-day float trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for two people with Sevy Guide Service, original artwork by Roy Mason, Jeanie Davis and Phillip McCain courtesy of the artists and Nat and Sally Adams, a guided fly fishing trip for two anglers provided by Silver

Creek Outfitters, an evening of jazz piano provided by Alan Pennay, a big game helicopter survey with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, an inflatable kayak by AIRE, a goshawk banding field day with the U.S. Forest Service, a three-hour bluegrass performance by Headwaters, and an extended weekend for two people at the Fourth of July Ranch courtesy of Michael and Candace Humphreys.

Silent auction items included a sauna, massage and facial for two people at Meadow Creek Inn and Spa in Stanley, a gift certificate for outdoor wear provided by Arlene Funderburg, dinner for two people at the Kasino Club in Stanley, an antique wooden hay rick courtesy of Donna-Marie Hayes, a Calphalon commercial skillet from Ketchum Kitchens, Montana snow shoes from Blue Lakes Sporting Goods, a glass "fish" bowl courtesy of Candace Humphreys, a circa 1869 Harper's Weekly print from the Michael White Collection, a case of Hells Canyon wine courtesy of Atkinson's Market, a picnic table and basket provided by Chuck Elliott, an overnight stay for two people at High Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in Stanley, a gift certificate from Sun Valley Garden Center, artwork courtesy of Bill and Linda Bein and Marilyn Lysohir and Ross Coates, Sen. Frank Church memorabilia courtesy of Bethine Church, a decorator lamp from Lone Star, a pen and ink illustration provided by Donna-Marie Hayes, and Sawtooth National Recreation Area license plate number 19.

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July 21, 2000

Sawtooth Society Donates $12,000 for SNRA Trails

Stanley - Trails in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area will be more accessible to visitors this year as the result of a $12,000 grant from the Sawtooth Society. Funding was made possible by donations to the Society of $10,000 from an anonymous source and $2,000 from The Idaho Statesman.

The Society's grant is enabling the U.S. Forest Service to rehabilitate and maintain approximately 300 miles of trails in the Sawtooth, White Cloud and Boulder Mountains. Among the many trails to be maintained this year are: Alpine Way, Boulder Chain Lakes and Queens River. The Idaho Statesman's donation to the Society is earmarked for Redfish Ridge Trail #400 and the Redfish Lake Nature Trail.

Trails are being cleared of brush and deadfall, water bars are being cleaned and signs are being maintained. Some trails are undergoing minor reconstruction.

According to Bob Hayes, executive director of the Society, the organization uses donations from individuals, foundations and corporations to help maintain trails, campsites, roads, wildlife habitat and environmental education programs in the SNRA because federal funding for such projects has been sharply reduced. He said, "We aim to ensure that visitors to the SNRA enjoy a quality experience, one that's not diminished by a poorly maintained infrastructure."

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July 6, 2000

Redfish Lake Amphitheater to be Renovated

Major improvements will be made to the outdoor amphitheater at the Redfish Lake Visitors’ Center. The project is made possible by a $20,000 grant to the Sawtooth Society from the Arlen B. Crouch Family Foundation. The Crouch family owns and operates Redfish Lake Lodge.

The amphitheater plays host to thousands of visitors to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) each year and is the venue for the popular summer series of interpretive programs.

Improvements to be made to the 35-year-old amphitheater include new seating benches for 300 people, a new electrical system, new lights and speakers, and upgraded audio-visual system and a fire circle and related seating.

Renovation will begin in mid-September and is expected to be completed in mid-October.

According to Bob Hayes, executive director of the Sawtooth Society, private sector funding to maintain recreational facilities and services in the SNRA is required to help offset the chronic shortfall of federal funding for the local U.S. Forest Service office. “We’re grateful to the Arlen B. Crouch Family Foundation for their support,” he said.

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June 23, 2000

Redfish Lake Interpretive Programs Receive Sponsorship

Stanley – The 2000 summer series of interpretive programs at the Redfish Lake Visitor’s Center is being sponsored by Boise Cascade Corporation through a $5,000 grant to the Sawtooth Society.

U.S. Forest service interpretive programs will be held free of charge during the day and early evenings throughout the summer for thousands of visitors to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The popular series includes guided nature hikes, lectures, workshops and a Junior Ranger program for children.

The programs cover more than 30 topics. Among the topics: Salmon Walk and Talk, the life cycle, habitat and status of Chinook and Sockeye salmon; Redfish Rock Shelter, investigating a rock shelter used by primitive man at the end of the last ice age; Fire Ecology, the role of fire in the life cycle of plants and animals and how the Forest Service manages fire to protect critical elements and enhance natural processes; and Leave No Trace, how to use low-impact techniques while visiting the backcountry.

Other topics include: Fishhook Creek Ramble; Invasion of the Aliens; Flintknapping; Pole Creek Guard Station; Wildlife (bears, mountain goats, bats, salmon, wolves, Peregrine falcons, reptiles and amphibians); Trees; Wildflowers; Historic Sawtooth City; Yankee Fork Gold Dredge; Land of the Yankee Fork History; Two-Gun Bob; Cowboy Poetry; Story of the SNRA; SNRA Backcountry Getaways; Scenes of the SNRA; Fire Prevention.

Sawtooth Society Executive Director Bob Hayes expressed appreciation for Boise Cascade’s grant, its second in three years, saying, “The company’s continuing commitment to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is commendable. It’s a good example of the kind of private sector involvement that is required to ensure that a national treasure and Idaho’s crown jewel remains a source of joy and inspiration to come.”

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January 25, 2000

New Idaho License Plate to Benefit SNRA

The State of Idaho will offer a special motor vehicle license plate that will fund trails, campsites and other recreational facilities and services in the 756,000 acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).

Beginning February 9, motor vehicle owners may purchase numbered SNRA license plates at all 44 county assessor offices in Idaho. The cost is $35, plus regular fees. SNRA plates that carry a personalized message may be purchased by completing a application form that is available from the Idaho Transportation Department. The cost is $60, plus regular fees. Purchasers of numbered and personalized plates will receive a credit for unused months on their old license plates.

A portion of the revenue generated from the sale of each SNRA license plate will be deposited into an account administered by the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department and used to fund improvements to a wide range of recreational facilities and services in the area.

The nonprofit Sawtooth Society is responsible for initiating, designing and marketing the special license plate.

According to Bob Hayes, the Society’s executive director, the new license plate graphic was selected from among four designs that were voted on by more than 300 recreationists. It features a mountain goat atop a moonlit peak in the SNRA.

He said, “Sporting the strikingly unique SNRA license plate on a car, truck or SUV is a wonderful way to voluntarily support that incomparably beautiful part of the state many people consider Idaho’s crown jewel.”

Hayes also reported that the Society is offering free one-year memberships in the organization to non-members who buy a SNRA license plate. Buyers need only mail or fax the Society proof of purchase, he said.

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