STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Wood River Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society is partnering with University of Idaho/Rinker Rock Creek Ranch for a free evening tour on Wednesday, June 11.

Participants will learn about the ranch’s pristine range habitat and compare areas burned in last summer’s Glendale Fire to unburned sites.

Participants should meet at Hailey’s Hop Porter Park, ready to leave the park at 5:30 p.m. to caravan west to Rock Creek Road via Croy Creek Road. The group will return about 7:30.

Please, no dogs.

Cameron Weskamp, the ranch’s operations manager, will discuss ongoing reseeding and restoration efforts. He’ll also talk about the general management of the 10,000-acre property and look at stream restoration techniques and riparian vegetation.  Participants should plan on walking relatively short distances on uneven surfaces.

The Glendale Fire started Sept. 3 near Glendale Road in Bellevue and crested the hill, heading into the Rock Creek area, quickly exceeding more than 10,000 acres. It was declared 100 percent controlled on Sept. 7.

 “The Rinker Rock Creek Ranch is a gem, and so close to Hailey,” said Kristin Fletcher, a board member of the Wood River chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. “The community was heartbroken to see the great plumes of smoke from the Glendale Fire last Labor Day that even threatened some Croy Canyon residents. 

“During this walk, we’ll learn what healthy sagebrush habitat looks like and how the burned areas responded to the fire.  And we’ll see some of this spring’s awesome wildflower display.”

 The Idaho Native Plant Society is a non-profit, statewide organization with more than 600 members.  It is dedicated to fostering an understanding and appreciation of Idaho’s native flora and its habitats. And members strive to preserve this rich heritage for future generations.

For more information, visit https://idahonativeplants.org/wood-river/ or call 559-696-9953.