Wood River Land Trust Donates $500,000 Toward Warm Springs Preserve

Wood River Land Trust Donates $500,000 Toward Warm Springs Preserve

KETCHUM, Idaho – The Wood River Land Trust (WRLT) has pledged to donate $500,000 to support the City of Ketchum’s Warm Springs Preserve campaign.

For over 20 years, the Wood River Land Trust has considered Warm Springs Ranch as one of the community’s treasured and happy places. They have led the education effort to alert the community to the importance of this open space in the Wood River Valley and are fully supportive of the City’s efforts to preserve the 65 acres as public open space for our community in perpetuity.

“Our community needs areas close to town where people of all ages and abilities can experience nature and open space,” said Wood River Land Trust Executive Director Scott Boettger. “These areas are most at risk for development and equally most important to save.”

As the Valley grows, the pressure on outdoor recreational areas will increase, especially those that are at the urban/rural interface. The Wood River Land Trust’s vision is aligned with the city’s plan to keep it as open space and accessible to all.

“I, and the rest of the committee members, are thrilled over this generous donation by the Land Trust,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “This will help the campaign gain momentum to reach our goal. The Land Trust is the perfect partner to help save this land and restore the creek and riparian area.”

The Wood River Land Trust hopes that its commitment of $500,000 toward the Warm Springs Preserve will encourage other community members to give generously to complete this campaign. To date, the campaign has raised $2.8 million. This includes a $1 million donation by a Warm Springs Preserve committee member, whose passion is to preserve this area for the community and its visitors.

The city was offered the opportunity to purchase 65 acres of the Warm Springs Ranch property for $9 million. The terms included raising $4.5 million by October 28, 2021, and the remainder by April 28, 2022. Since then, the property owner extended the first deadline to December 31, 2021.

If the funds are raised to purchase the property, Warm Springs Preserve will be kept as open space in perpetuity for the community.

Priorities for the Preserve include off-leash dog access, creek and habitat restoration, new water conscious irrigation system, walking trails, informal gatherings and activities, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails and public restrooms. Development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events would be restricted.

Currently, the property is zoned to allow significant development. However, a subdivision application and approval from the city would still be required.

For more information and to find ways to give, visit www.warmspringspreserve.org. All levels of donations are welcome.

If you have specific donation questions or would like to donate by ACH/Wire or securities, contact the Spur Community Foundation, custodian of funds for the Warm Springs Preserve campaign.