Ecosystem Defense
Our Ecosystem Defense program is the most extensive in the region. We strive to follow every issue in the wild Clearwater region: the Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests, portions of the Idaho Panhandle and Bitterroot National Forests, and portions of the Cottonwood and Coeur d’ Alene Field Offices of the Bureau of Land Management. For the wildlife in this region, this also entails following proposals from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. Water quality efforts involve land managers and entities like the Environmental Protection Agency. If all else fails, we may choose to exercise our constitutional rights of judicial redress if we feel the decision made by an agency in contrary to the public interest. This program is not limited to following agency proposals and policy analysis. Our program also includes proactive proposals for wildlands protection, species recovery, and monitoring. Contact us if you would like to get involved.
Membership & Development
When you give to Friends of the Clearwater, you are supporting the only conservation group solely dedicated to protecting the vast wildlands, waterways and native species of the Clearwater Basin in rugged North Central Idaho. We operate on an extremely tight budget funded primarily by generous yearly membership dues, one-time donations, and through partnerships with like-minded foundations. We strive to foster new relationships and build upon established alliances based on our proven ability to hold agencies accountable. Contributions help us engage our active membership, but they also help disseminate information to a larger, national audience. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member, giving monthly, and through one-time donations. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Education & Outreach
Staff strives to inform, inspire, and empower citizens to get involved in local and regional federal public land issues through on-line communication, grassroots organizing, community programming, and recreational outings. We offer spring/summer/fall internships to students at Lewis – Clark State College, University of Idaho and Washington State University. There are also many ways to get involved through volunteering, including office administration, fundraising, community outreach, policy analysis and research, and field monitoring. Please contact us if you wish to learn more.
Learn about our history.