Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Fundraising stakes rise for conservation group

Land Trust seeks to raise $150,000 by year’s end

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By KATHERINE WUTZ
Express Staff Writer

The Wood River Land Trust has a little over a month to raise more than $150,000 to obtain a $150,000 grant from an anonymous donor.

The Hailey-based conservation group announced in a press release last week that its board of directors and a "generous anonymous donor" have pledged to donate $150,000 if it can raise $300,000 by the end of the year.

So far, the group has raised more than $147,000, and Development Director Daphne Muehle said it's on track to meet its goal by Dec. 31.

"Most giving occurs in the final months of the year," she stated in a press release. "We remain hopeful that our donors and the community will help us reach the goal."

Muehle said the donor has issued similar challenges to the organization for the past seven years—challenges it has met on five occasions.

Muehle said the organization remains "optimistically cautious" this year, as each of the failures to meet fundraising goals in the past were caused by economic downturns.

The Land Trust raises money to buy conservation easements to protect land, water and wildlife habitat in the valley.

Funds are also used on specific projects, such as the organization's current efforts in the Croy Creek wetlands east of Hailey. That project included removing trash, building a boardwalk with interpretive signs and revegetating the area with native plant species.

People can donate by visiting www.woodriverlandtrust.org or calling Muehle at 788-3947.

Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com

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