BY LIZ PEDERSEN

Let it be perpetual.

So reads the Idaho State Historical Society’s Esto Perpetua Award.

The award takes its name from the state’s motto, “let it be perpetual” and for the past 22 years, the Idaho State Historical Society has recognized people and organizations who have preserved and promoted Idaho’s history through professional accomplishments, public service or volunteerism, and philanthropy.

This year, on August 23, the Idaho State Historical Society will recognize the Wood River Land Trust as one of the 2021 recipients of the Esto Perpetua Award.

Long-time Valley local Joan Davies nominated the Wood River Land Trust for its commitment to preserving the unique character and sense of place that makes the Wood River Valley so special.

“Whether it is preserving vintage housing, protecting traditional agriculture areas, restoring abused sites, protecting and preserving life-giving rivers and waterways, the model the Wood River Land Trust espouses acknowledges that historical landscapes and architecture are essential components of a sense of place,” wrote Davies in her nomination. “For their success in integrating place and heritage, the Wood River Land Trust truly reflects our state motto: let it be perpetual. For this, they deserve recognition of an Esto Perpetua Award.”

The Wood River Land Trust is honored to be the recipient of this award, and sees preserving the character of the Wood River Valley as being at the heart of the work we do. As the Wood River Land Trust looks to the future of the Valley, we know we can never forget our past.

Davies elaborates: “A sense of place implies a certain rootedness in a physical context that includes social connectedness. History cannot exist without place. Preservation of place is a celebration of history.”

The Wood River Land Trust couldn’t agree more, which is why we see projects like the preservation of the 10,400-acre Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, the restoration of the historic building our offices are housed in, and the ongoing process of preserving the unique landscapes of Central Idaho as so important.

In 2020, US News once again named Idaho as the fastest growing state in the Union. By balancing the need for smart growth, conservation, and historic preservation, the Wood River Land Trust is working to find solutions to the issues facing the Valley today, while preserving our sense of place for tomorrow.

Let it be perpetual indeed.