A treat for KLT staff

Dec 11

December 11, 2024 I By Katie Cox, Executive Director

Dear Friend,

Last week almost every member of our staff gathered for our annual retreat.

This day is always enjoyable because we really like each other. It also gives us the opportunity to look back at the year and celebrate successes, dig deep into our challenges and plan for the next year.

We had great food (thanks Beet & Basil), wore our slippers, got cozy on the couches, made a lot of tea, and just talked.

You are an important part of this day. When we review our successes we know that this would not be possible without each and every one of you. You came out and volunteered, you gave your time and your resources to us, even when you just think about us we feel it. Truly! We are all in this together. Together we do really good work.

Suffice it to say, we couldn’t do this without you. It’s really as simple as that. Last year alone, individual and business contributions contributed to 47% of our income, grants were 25% of our total, and you came to our events which brought in an additional 8%. The money you help us raise is vital to employing the staff to carry out this work. We are grateful you believe in us. We do this with and for you.

So now, it is your turn. Grab a warm cup of coffee or tea, find those fuzzy slippers, crawl into your favorite chair and revel along with us in this long list of accomplishments that you powered through your support. I hope you read each project/ program/ initiative and just let it sink in all that we are accomplishing together. It is guaranteed to make you feel good!

2024 Accomplishments

Education

864 participants at our outdoor education programs. WOW!
Trails & boardwalks completed at ReWild Kootenai Project
Eight Outdoor Educators now employed by LPOSD!
New Director of Education brings years of mentoring support
Hired a new Assistant Educator. Welcome Shaun!
Collaborative group for LPOSD outdoor educators initiated
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant is supporting innovation in so many outdoor classrooms!
New collaboration with East Bonner County Library
PSW/Sled Hill regularly utilized by education partners
Bonner County Arts Enhancement Grant for Kaniksu Folk School

Conservation

Completed new conservation agreements in two states (3 counties): Prichard Creek, Samuels Road, Grouse Creek, Swan Creek and Blue Slide Road
Purchased the 48-acre Sled Hill property
Received SO MUCH partnership support
Made Sled Hill infrastructure improvements

~ Electric updated

~ New well and water lines

~ Master plan developed with tons of community input

~ New trails completed

~ Insulation of Sled Barn roof plus general clean up and organization

~ Orchard fence installed

Purchased a UTV for property management
Lake Pend Oreille Water Trail Inventory complete
Fostered new relationships at municipal, county and state level
Completed collaborative planning for new public access property near Jewel Lake
Tree planting project complete on Mushroom Trail
Monarch waystations installed at PSW meadow and Sled Hill
Completed draft action plan for Sand Creek Connections project
Submitted Sled Hill Special Use Permit application to Dover
Milled over 10,000 board feet of lumber from salvaged logs

Community

Priest River Community Housing Trust - 6 homes started!!
Partnership with LEAP & Bonner Community Housing Agency
First Annual Pedal to Farm Tour in Sanders County
Trails and Tales active in Sanders County
Participated in Pend Oreille Council Arts & Crafts Fair
Participated in Between Borders Folk Arts Exhibit
Received Disability Access and Inclusion grant from Land Trust Alliance
Received Rivers Trails & Conservation Assistance grant from National Park Service for Eastward Expansion Trail in Thompson Falls
Spooky Stories was a great success
Successful Fall Forest Festival in Thompson Falls
Brought a new event: In a Landscape
Successful Get Plowed fundraising event with partners to plow Pine Street Woods road
Pairings in the Pines grew!
Feast in the Forest was a tasty success!
Rotary Welcome Shelter is welcoming visitors to Pine Street Woods!