By Marcy Timblin, Kaniksu Land Trust
Cover photo courtesy of the Kanisku Land Trust
“I think people my age are concerned that the place where we grew up is going to be lost to development.” – A 23-year-old Bonner County resident.
Living in Sandpoint for decades, I’ve seen changes. The town has grown, traffic is heavier, and wild places have been developed. Yet, for the most part, Sandpoint has retained its rural character.
Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) works to conserve the natural and cultural values of North Idaho and northwestern Montana. Through voluntary, legally binding conservation agreements, private landowners can limit development on their property, preserving its essence for future generations.
KLT’s conservation efforts prioritize working lands, wildlife habitat, water, climate resilience, cultural significance, and community access. Land conservation doesn’t always mean public access, but it always benefits the public in some way.
KLT also owns land, including public access properties such as Cabinet View Nature Area and Pine Street Woods. To clarify, these public access properties are not “public land,” which is, by definition, land owned by a government entity. While KLT is funded through generous voluntary support, its public spaces are privately owned. The goal is connecting people of all ages and abilities to the land in meaningful ways.
KLT has conserved over 4,100 acres. By supporting conservation, we can all play a role in shaping our community’s future. To learn more or support our work, visit Kaniksu.org.
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