BY KAREN BOSSICK

Those who treasure the outdoors have a tough decision to make tonight as there are two excellent programs being offered.

…..The HAILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY is offering a slide show featuring the wildlife photos of Ed Cannady titled “CHASING THE WIND: ADVENTURES OF A VAGABOND PHOTOGRAPHER.” Cannady, retired backcountry ranger for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, has amassed a fabulous selection of photographs in the wilds of Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska and elsewhere.

This self-professed “wilderness wanderer” will present his show at 5:30 p.m. tonight—Thursday, Feb. 12--at Hailey Town West, 116 S. River St. He’ll discuss his travels from southern Utah to Alaska, all accompanied by breathtaking photographs. He will also discuss the latest in photography technology and techniques.

If you can’t make it in person, the show will be livestreamed on the library’s YouTube channel.

…..The WOOD RIVER LAND TRUST will present a lecture on restoring river connectivity with the help of beavers and more at 5:30 p.m. tonight—Thursday, Feb. 12—at the Sun Valley Community School Theater.

Renowned river scientist Dr. Janine Castro will present “MINDING THE GAP: USING STEPPING STONES TO RESTORE AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY” as part of the Land Trust’s “Think Globally, Act Locally” lecture series.

Castro will explain how restoration actions are now being evaluated for their ability to bridge divides, ensuring fish and other aquatic species can safely navigate entire river systems.

Her talk will do a deep dive into passive beaver recolonization. And she’ll talk about how beaver dams are integral to aquatic health as she explores the unique behaviors beavers use to construct their habitats. She’ll also describe how humans can work with, rather than against, these natural engineers.

Castro recently retired after a 34-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. A co-founder of “Science Talk,” she has dedicated her life to helping researchers communicate complex findings to the public.

A founding member of River Restoration Northwest, she serves as the technical director of Portland State university’s River Restoration Professional Certificate Program.

To reserve a seat, go to https://www.woodriverlandtrust.org/get-involved.