On June 5th, 250 people gathered at the 5B Restoration Coalition Celebration at the Drackett party pavilion in Hailey, Idaho. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) co-hosted the event with Dan and Martine Drackett and Lynn Campion-Waddell to introduce the Coalition to the community, celebrate post-Beaver Creek fire restoration accomplishments, and outline the work that still needs to be done.
The 5B Restoration Coalition is made up of representatives from a broad spectrum of Wood River Valley stakeholders, including private interests, local non-profit organizations, and governmental entities. Facilitated by the NFF, the Coalition’s members are working together to develop cooperative approaches to habitat and recreation infrastructure restoration, prioritize needs, and build solutions for establishing community resilience.
Two years after the fire, there is much to celebrate and many accomplishments for which to be thankful. 82 miles of trail have been rebuilt. 11,603 acres have been restored, and 35,000 trees and shrubs were planted. 439 people volunteered 1,500 hours to assist with these tasks.
But significant work lies ahead. Community leaders formed the 5B Restoration Coalition because the challenge of post-fire restoration goes beyond what one organization or agency can do alone.
In comments to the Celebration gathering, Kurt Nelson, Ketchum District Ranger for the Sawtooth National Forest, reported that nearly 70 percent of the Deer Creek drainage was impacted by the fire and subsequent flood events. The Coalition has identified the restoration of trails, roads, and habitat in Deer Creek as a priority for action, both because it is crucial to area fish and wildlife, and because it is a vital recreational area for the Wood River Valley.
The 5B Restoration Coalition is beginning to raise funds to support on-the-ground restoration of the Deer Creek watershed. The NFF has already committed $30,000 for this work, and has also pledged a challenge match of up to $100,000 for private contributions made to the 5B Restoration Fund. The Coalition has received initial financial support from several of the Valley’s leaders in philanthropy.
To learn more, be sure to check out the Coalition website.
