As January snows quietly blanket the tall pines and alder thickets of the Pack River corridor near Sandpoint, one small corner of this magical landscape is now destined to remain just as it is. The longtime owners recently entered into a voluntary conservation partnership with Kaniksu Land Trust to ensure that their hay meadows, carefully tended forestlands, and streamside wildlife areas will be undeveloped into the future.

“We have sensed for many years that this property is unique,” remarked the landowner. “The past 40 years have given us time to reflect on its importance.”

Thanks to community support, Kaniksu Land Trust was able to assist the owners in conserving their Pack River land. The conservation agreement allows for this 65-acre homestead to continue to be used for hay production, timber, and wildlife, but future development has been restricted to protect its natural values.

“It’s truly remarkable what has been accomplished here,” says Regan Plumb of Kaniksu Land Trust. “Conserving this portion of the Pack River will pay many dividends in the future, from protecting our clean water and healthy forests to providing scenic beauty and space for animals.”

As with all land conserved with Kaniksu Land Trust, the property remains in private hands and traditional land uses are preserved. The landowners continue to own and manage their land and are free to sell, gift, or lease it to others.

This is one of many projects in which Kaniksu Land Trust has supported private landowners in accomplishing their personal land management goals. KLT has worked along the Bull River and other areas of Sanders County, Montana, as well as in Bonner and Boundary Counties in Idaho. Nearly 4,000 acres of stream corridors, working farms and ranches, natural areas, and wildlife habitat have been conserved with the organization since it was established in 2002.

Based in Sandpoint, Kaniksu Land Trust is committed to building connections between people and land. In addition to providing conservation tools to private landowners, KLT offers community programming and opportunities for people of all ages to learn and play outside. KLT is a non-profit organization that is funded through community support and private foundations.

For questions regarding Kaniksu Land Trust, please call the office at 208-263-9471, or send email to [email protected].