NEWS RELEASES 2003 & 2004

You can find more information about how the Sawtooth National Recreation Area can be preserved and all the recreation the Area has to offer by clicking the following links:

May 14, 2004
Nominees Sought for Award Honoring Service to SNRA

April 22, 2004
Sawtooth Society Makes Grants for SNRA

November 19, 2003
Custer County Search and Rescue Receives Grant

October 6, 2003
Awards from License Plate Funds

September 8, 2003
Bethine Church Award Winners

May 8, 2003
Bethine Church Award

February 13, 2003
Stanley-Area EMTs Receive Training Grant

2002 News Releases

2000 & 2001 News Releases

1999 News Releases

1998 News Releases

1997 News Releases

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May 14, 2004

Nominees Sought for Award Honoring Service to SNRA

The Sawtooth Society is accepting nominations for an award honoring people who perform exemplary service for the betterment of the natural, historical and recreational qualities of the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).

Named for the Society’s founding president, The Bethine Church Award for Service to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is awarded annually to individuals from the public and private sectors.

The public sector award, won last year by Bernice Hartz, is made to someone whose work is performed as an employee of local, state or federal government agency. The private sector award, won last year by Laurii Gadwa, is given to a person whose effort is performed as an employee of a private organization, or as a volunteer.

Anyone may nominate candidates for the award by submitting an application to the Society. Led by Society board member Sandy Vail, a committee of Society directors and members will review the applications and select the winning candidates. Winners will receive their awards at a ceremony sponsored by the Society.

Applications are due by June 30, 2004. Application forms are available by writing the Sawtooth Society at PO Box 268, Boise, Idaho 83701, calling 208/387-0852 or logging onto www.sawtoothsociety.com

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April 22, 2004

Sawtooth Society Makes Grants for SNRA

The Sawtooth Society has awarded the U.S. Forest Service $14,500 for projects in the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).

The projects include:

o $2,000 for visitor information services at the popular Galena Overlook;

o $1,200 for trail maintenance to be performed by volunteers from the National Smokejumpers' Association;

o $2,000 for an interpretive display about mountain goats, their habitat and how humans traveling in the backcountry can avoid disturbing them;

o $4,700 for continued implementation of the Sawtooth Winter Recreation Partnership, a program that reduces conflicts between motorized and non-motorized recreationists;

o $4,600 for bridge reconstruction along Benedict Creek trail in the Sawtooth Mountains.

The grants were made from proceeds generated by the sale of the special Idaho motor vehicle license plate that supports recreation-related projects in the SNRA. The Society manages the license plate program under a contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

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November 19, 2003

Custer County Search and Rescue Receives Grant

Custer County Search and Rescue has received a $3,000 grant to purchase four global positioning systems, two rope rescue packs and one laptop computer. The equipment will be used to aid local search and rescue operations.

The grant was made by the Sawtooth Society from funds generated by the sale of a special Idaho motor vehicle license plate that features a mountain goat against a background of alpine peaks. The Society manages the license plate program under a contract with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. All grants must be used for recreation-related projects benefiting those who use the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

The most recent grant is the second financial award made by the Society to Custer County Search and Rescue. In 2002, the unit received $3,500 for the purchase of a trailer to transport all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and other emergency equipment.

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