Idaho Land Trusts

If you’ve ever been to Idler’s Rest, you have personally experienced the benefits of land trusts. These beautiful sceneries and bustling wildlife are not something to take for granted. 

Land trusts are private, non-profit organizations that work with landowners to protect their private land from being developed in a way that degrades the land or the wildlife that live there. These voluntarily negotiated agreements are called conservation easements.

Conservation easements “run with the land.” In other words, they are made in perpetuity — an agreement that remains even if the owner of the land changes. The perpetuity element of conservation easements also comes with the possibility of tax deductibles. If the conservation easement preserves open space or wildlife habitats, or perhaps it is used for recreational activities or educational opportunities, then chances are good a tax deductible will be thrown into the deal under the Wildlife Habitat Exemption. Often the landowners donate the property to land trusts, but sometimes land trusts will buy the land at a bargain price. The landowner sells his land below market value so that he can receive tax deductibles.

There are several other ways the landowner benefits from conservation easements. While the land has been donated in a sense to the land trust, the landowner still has possession of the land. They can continue to make decisions for their farmland and use the agricultural land to produce a variety of commodities. They can limit access to their land or open it up to the public for recreational and educational purposes — it’s their choice. Conservation easements vary from agreement to agreement, each one precisely explaining what the landowner is “giving up,” which is usually the ability to use the land for commercial, industrial, or residential uses. But while each agreement differs from each other, all of them share the goal of preserving private land.

In the United States, land trusts have conserved 61 million acres of private land, rivaling the National Parks in acreage. Zooming in on the State of Idaho, there are approximately 735,780 acres of land protected by land trusts, and 89 percent of these acres allow for public access. Additionally, this land includes 127 miles of trails.

The Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands (IFPL) was founded by an executive order in 1972, the oldest land trust in Idaho. The IFPL was formed to accept ownership of the Railroad Ranch in Island Park from the Harriman brothers until Idaho passed legislation allowing for the state to take ownership. Governor Robert Smylie alongside his wife, Lu, worked closely with the Harriman brothers in the development of this land trust. Through their efforts, the Harrimans donated 15,000 acres of land which is now known as Harriman Park. 

A little closer to home, we have the Palouse Land Trust (PLT). Founded in 1995 by local citizens, this organization works to preserve the rolling hills and wildlife we know and love here on the Palouse. Currently they partner with 24 properties and have more than 300 active donors. PLT was accredited by the Land Trust Alliance in 2015, with reaccreditation in 2020.

Today, the Palouse Land Trust cares for Idler’s Rest, a favorite among locals for sure. Even back in the 1960’s, it was the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon picnic or an adventurous location to take scout groups. But in 1967, the original owners decided to put the land up for sale. The frequent visitors of Idler’s Rest feared for the outcome of this sale, worrying the land would be subdivided and developed for residential use. With the help of the Nature Conservancy (TNC), the community raised $7000 to purchase Idler’s Rest. Under the care of TNC, the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources brought elementary students on field trips to explore Idler’s Rest while scout groups and other volunteers created trails and signage for the spot. In 2004, the ownership transferred from TNC to the Palouse Land Trust, who continue to preserve the area to this day.

Other notable lands of the PLT include the Dave Skinner Ecological Preserve and the Emerald Creek Mining restoration (which you can read more about in a previous Kestrel Post article). The most recent conservation easement would be the Olsen Family Conservation Preserve in 2023: 531 acres out by Deary donated by Keith and Rhonda Olsen. This spot is a wildlife sanctuary for a variety of critters, with hopes of public access in the future.

The possibilities for exploration in Idaho are enormous. Idler’s Rest makes for a great starting point, but if you’re itching for a new adventure, don’t forget to look into other parts of the glorious Palouse this summer!