The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

This summer, The Nature Conservancy celebrates the 35th anniversary of Silver Creek Preserve. Silver Creek—located in southcentral Idaho near Picabo—is one of those special places that has inspired people from around the world with its beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife and legendarily elusive trout.

From an initial purchase of 479 acres then called the Sun Valley Ranch, the preserve has since grown to include more than 850 acres.

But that is only part of the Silver Creek story.

Twenty-two landowners have donated nearly 10,000 acres in conservation easements, protecting nearly the entire main stem from development.

Silver Creek draws people from all over the world for its incredible trout fishing and birding. Visitors see herds of mule deer, flocks of waterfowl, mayflies hatching in swarms and an idyllic rural valley.

With the preserve and conservation easements, the valley will stay that way, an incredible conservation success story.

But that doesn't mean Silver Creek faces no challenges.

Increased development in other parts of the watershed, new demands on water, non-native animals like New Zealand mud snails in the water and non-native plants on the land all could have negative impacts on Silver Creek.

That's why The Nature Conservancy is continuing to work with partners, landowners and individuals like you to find collaborative solutions to our conservation challenges.

The Nature Conservancy's current conservation work at Silver Creek includes:

• Protecting habitat on tributary streams through streamside plantings and restoration of stream banks.
• Undertaking an enhancement plan to improve habitat through the valley
• Offering public outreach events to teach others about this ecosystem.
• Restoring 40 acres of a barley field to native plants, creating more bird habitat.
• Working with the U.S. Geological Survey on insect and fish surveys.
• Continuing restoration and monitoring of the water and wildlife of Silver Creek.

We continue to utilize new strategies at Silver Creek, but our fundamental commitment to this landscape, its people and its wildlife remain constant. Working together, we can achieve a bright future for this special waterway—a creek like none other in the world.

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Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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