STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Got an idea for a way to build climate resilience in Blaine County?

You could win $60,000 to implement it.

The Keystone Concept, Wood River Land Trust and Blaine County’s 5B Climate Action Network (5B CAN) are accepting proposals for local nature-based solution projects through the Blaine County Climate Smart Communities Initiative.

Groups are invited to submit project proposals within one of three priority areas:

***Riparian Restoration

***Community Forest Management

***Wildfire Mitigation

About $60,000 will be awarded to a high-priority, shovel-ready project for Spring 2026 implementation.

Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. Feb. 13, 2026. Award notifications will be announced mid-March 2026, and all funded projects must be completed by July 31, 2026.

To apply go to https://bit.ly/CSCIprojectApplication.

The 2025 Climate Smart Communities Initiative grant provides $99,000 for a Wood River Valley team, plus technical support, expert training and peer learning opportunities over a 12-month period  from August 2025 to August 2026.

Project work began in September 2025 building on the momentum of the Wood River Valley Collaborative Forest Enhancement Project. The idea is to support goals in the Blaine County Climate Action Plan and the forthcoming Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment.

Blaine County’s Sustainability Department is currently in discussions with stakeholders across the valley—including the 5B Restoration Coalition, municipalities, local NGOs and others—to develop a coordinated strategy for project development and funding that supports healthy, resilient landscapes countywide.

Want to know more? Contact Andrew Mentzer, Blaine County Sustainability Consultant at amentzer@co.blaine.id.us. Or, visit https://www.co.blaine.id.us/1025/Sustainability.