By Z Zubrick
Halfway through the year already—can you believe it? I owe you all an apology for missing last month’s From My Deck in the INWC newsletter. Between recovering from hand and arm surgery and preparing for major logging on our property (in the name of wildfire safety), life’s been a bit of a whirlwind.
As Co-Chair of the Habitat Committee, Kim and I have been working closely with our Chair, Randy Burke—who just so happens to be a real-deal forester. We assessed the dense tree coverage around our house and barns and realized how vulnerable we’d be if a wildfire swept through. A huge part of conservation is habitat, and that means looking at the full picture: observation, preparation, and action. Fire safety starts with awareness—of your surroundings, your property, and your favorite outdoor spots. A few other INWC board members and I have been exploring ways we can be more proactive about wildfire readiness—not just for our members, but for the natural places we all cherish.
Speaking of the Habitat Committee, Randy wanted me to pass along that planning is still underway for our project to replace the grasses around the INWC buildings with native plants. The goals? Reduce water use, improve habitat, and hopefully qualify for a utility rebate in the process.
On the Disabled Access front, Cody Mace and I have been diving deep into everything that makes this committee tick. We’re still learning the inner workings of the route patrols and all the systems that Ken McNaughton, M.F., put into place during his time as chair. A couple of weekends ago, we ran our first official patrol without Ken at the helm. With three participants in wheelchairs and a handful of able-bodied helpers, we tackled Aladdin Mountain and Squirrel Meadows. It was hard work—and a lot of fun. Leading the group gave me a new appreciation for the teaching moments and the family-friendly vibe of these trips. Cody and I are reviewing the schedule now and trying to lock in dates that will bring the most volunteers together. If you’re interested in joining us—whether it’s for route patrols, camping, or other Disabled Access projects—reach out! You can email Access@INWC.org or call the INWC office.
July also means it’s picnic time! We’ll skip the general meeting this month and instead gather as friends and family for our annual INWC picnic on Saturday, July 26th. Last year’s cornhole tournament was a blast, the food was delicious, and the stories… well, let’s just say some of them were big fish tales. Come out and make some new memories.
Now, on a more serious note—there’s been a lot of talk lately about proposals to sell off large portions of BLM land to private buyers. Like many of you, I’ve seen the ads urging us to contact our representatives. As INWC’s Legislative Committee Chair, I fully support staying informed and making your voice heard. I’ve spoken with U.S. Congressman Michael Baumgartner about the issue, and as of yesterday, it sounds like the proposal is unlikely to make it out of committee. Still, I encourage everyone to contact their U.S. legislators to make sure this idea doesn’t gain traction. Let’s stop it before it starts.
Finally, hats off to Alexis Creel for another fantastic pheasant and chukar chick sale this year! Alexis handled all the details like a pro—perfectly balancing the number of chicks and the feed ordered. By the time pickup was done, I think the only thing left behind were a couple of empty pallets.
As always, we need volunteers in every corner of the Council. Get involved and bring the family along. INWC has a rich tradition, but as some of us age (and slow down just a bit), we need younger folks with fresh energy and ideas to keep it going strong. Invite your friends and family to the picnic or the next general meeting. If you want to learn how to camp, run a chainsaw, tie fishing rigs, clean a rifle, or help protect sage grouse—join a project, talk to a committee chair, and dive in.
