Best vacation deal in Idaho!

[Ithaca 37]

If you're a member of Western Watersheds Project ($25 per year) you can stay at their lodge for $25 a nite!

http://www.westernwatersheds.org/splash3.html

 

[Ten Bears]

 

[Nemont]

Ithaca,
Great looking place but isn't it set right in some prime wildlife habitat? Isn't it buying into the myth of building a 6,000 sqare foot home up in the mountains to get the "western lifestyle"? Just curious if you see any kind of a contradiction here: between what WWP says and what they do?

Nemont

 

[JoseCuervo]

Nemont,

It was a working cattle ranch, that was donated to WWP. And they have since used it to retire the allotments, and do the conservation work to IMPROVE habitat for wildlife and for Salmon in the East Fork.

They were cutting and selling hay off it at first. I was planning on huning it a couple of years ago, as I think I had permission.

 

[Nemont]

EG,
Doesn't look like a cattle ranch. Looks like a 465 acre millionaire's retreat. The kind of people who scoff at the stupidity of local cattlemen attempting to make a living off of cattle ranching rather then view the "ranch" as a write off for their out of state corporation.

Nemont

 

[JoseCuervo]

In June 2000, a conservationist and friend of WWP purchased a 440-acre former ranch along the East Fork, and a management agreement was reached with WWP, then Idaho Watersheds Project.

Initially, WWP directors and administrators drew up four short-term and several long-term objectives. The first priority was removing livestock from the property. We also wanted to coax a smooth transfer (to the new property owner, Valley Sun L.L.C.) of water rights and Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service grazing permits attached to the property.

Another short-term objective was to meet with various agencies to build relationships with potential partners who might help us with our restoration efforts.

Long-term objectives include restoring Greenfire to a self-sustaining preserve of native habitat and retiring three U.S. Forest Service and three BLM grazing permits attached to the property. We also want to create an education center where people can learn about properly functioning native habitat, and where universities and their students can use the property for seminars and research projects. Finally, we want to be able to make Greenfire available for conferences and visits by the media

I think the first couple of years, they even had to graze a cow, for a day or two.... I offered to bring them up some Whitefaces....

 

[Ithaca 37]

Nemont, Kinda hard to find anything to criticize about the Greenfire preserve. They've made all the right moves with it. Why don't you buy a membership and come to ID for a great vacation at bargain rates? There's some great hunting, fishing, hiking and general recreation there. It's the best kept secret in the West for a vacation. Beats the heck outta paying $90 a nite for some bedbug infested motel room.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Resistance to Greenfire is keen in some corners. Livestock interests have attempted to block WWP's grant proposals. Inflammatory signs have been posted on Greenfire fenceposts. Opponents have even resorted to littering the driveway with nails, resulting in a rash of flat tires. I think some interests fear we're going to open the eyes of the public. With any luck, we may do just that.

For years, WWP has fought to have exclosures established to demonstrate the potential for watersheds and uplands recovery. With the Greenfire preserve, we have an ideal opportunity to show what can happen to public lands when livestock grazing is eliminated. And with all the allotments tied to the Greenfire property, we can show the same results on nearly 50,000 acres of federal lands.

In Greenfire, we also have the authority to acquire more grazing permits and attach them to the preserve for retirement.

Our long-term goal at Greenfire is to create a living model that we and others can learn from. For this to happen, we need only to look to our name for inspiration and guidance in our restoration decisions.

Greenfire. May it always remind us to think like a mountain.

And once you get a base property, you can start tieing up more allotments...

 

[Delw]

Thats a pretty place, with all that room I would have a place for all my atv friends


Delw

 

[Nemont]

Ithaca,
If it came to be known that I joined and paid dues to an outfit like WWP I would be run out of town on a rail!!

I do belong to other more politically acceptable groups like the nature conservancy, RMEF, DU and Pheasanst Forever.

WWP is not very well recieved in the farm and ranch community I primarily work in.

Nemont

 

[Ithaca 37]

You sure don't get any benefits like this for joining the Blue Ribbon Coalition!

 

[Hangar18]

When will they be turning it into a science school?

 

[Ten Bears]

Are those grasses native???

 

[JoseCuervo]

Ten,

Don't be so lazy, do some research and answer your own question.

 

[Nemont]

I have a question about this property. If grazing cattle on this property resulted in positive economic activity and positive cash flow to the county and school district: How does have removing cattle the those entities?

Yes there is more grass growing there and the stream is in better condition but if you did that with every ranch it would take a huge amount of money out of the area. Those dollars don't come close to be returned by tourists and hunters.

Nemont

 

[Ten Bears]

EG, you seem to be theone most offended by my question, why don't you answer it? I learned a long time ago not to judge a book (or pasture) by its cover photo, and just because the grasses are green doesn't mean all is well in the habitat.....

 

[JoseCuervo]

Nemont,

They still pay taxes on the ranch, so the schools are fine. But interestingly enough, due to Dubya not funding No Child Left Behind, the school district up there is suffering. Locally, the law is called No School Left Standing....

 

[Michaelr]

25$ a night????

Rates.
Year Round Pricing
For members of Western Watersheds Project $150./night (3 night minimum) $1,000./week
Non-members $200./night (3 night minimum) $1,400./week

 

[JoseCuervo]

WWP Members - $25 per person, per night, capped at $150.00 per night. Maximum 14 persons overnight in house. Minimum stay three nights.

 

[Michaelr]

Is this what you were refering to?

WWP Members - $25 per person, per night, capped at $150.00 per night. Maximum 14 persons overnight in house. Minimum stay three nights.
Non-WWP Members - $200 flat rate per night. Maximum 14 persons overnight in house. Minimum stay three nights.

Additional fees for pets (prior approval required) and persons camping (tents or self-contained vehicles) may apply. Prices, terms, availability subject to change without notice.

Kinda decieving