Safeguarding the Heart of Teton Valley

Growing up in Teton Valley, I was aware of Teton Regional Land Trust and the important work they did. However, it wasn’t until I started my position here earlier this year that I truly grasped the deep, long-lasting impact this organization has on our beautiful valley.

One of the most special parts of this role has been reconnecting with family, friends and community members I’ve known since childhood, many of whom I didn’t realize were long-time supporters of the Land Trust. They stop by the office to say hello or offer to volunteer, and it warms my heart to see how invested they are in this shared mission.

Every week, I learn something new about how the Land Trust and community have permanently safeguarded the places that make this valley so special.

Recently, while going through an old box of photos, I found one of my family floating the Teton River in an old drift boat. Although the foliage has expanded greatly since then, the landscape in that photo looks much the same. That continuity is thanks to your contributions to the Land Trust’s work, which has ensured that these cherished spaces remain untouched by the pressures of development.

There’s an old homestead I’ve loved since I was a child, and I pass by it every time I head to my favorite huckleberry picking spot. For years, I worried that the rapid development in the valley might one day threaten it. A few months ago, I was deeply moved to learn that a strong partnership between the landowner and the Land Trust placed this property under conservation easement, ensuring it will never be developed.

A few weeks ago, my partner and I were driving home after getting our Christmas tree. We spotted a large herd of elk grazing on a ridge near Targhee National Forest, with the Tetons in the background, bathed in rich pink alpenglow. I couldn’t help but think about how those elk likely passed through a nearby conservation easement to reach that ridge—a space protected in perpetuity because of your generosity and support.

But one of the most important realizations I’ve had while working here is that you—our community, supporters, landowners, donors, and volunteers—are the heart of everything we do and the drivers behind this mission. You are the reason why more than 42,000 acres of agricultural land, wildlife habitat, and scenic open spaces are actively being protected in eastern Idaho, with more projects on the way. It is because of you that these landscapes will retain their beauty and vitality for future generations.

Thank you for making this work possible. We couldn’t do it without you.