Join us in the field

200 years ago David Thompson traced the sources of the Columbia River through the Lower Kootenai River Valley. He forged relationships with native peoples, followed their traditional routes and charted the mosaic of seasonal wetlands, lakes and sloughs that existed in the valley. Join us from May 12-13 for the inaugural Kootenai field days as we look through the lens of Thompson to explore the history of the valley from contact to present and vision for the future. Come and discover what makes this valley so unique. Learn how to identify and manage noxious weeds. Attend an evening presentation by author and naturalist, Jack Nisbet. Expand your understanding of the forests, plants and animals of the valley. Paddle down the Kootenai River. See history come alive at the spring encampment of the Northwest Brigade of the American Mountain Men and take part in living history demonstrations.Whether you come to one event or all, we hope to see you in the field!

Schedule of Events
Weed Awareness Day
May 12 | The Nature Conservancy’s Ball Creek Ranch

Presentation: From Contact to the Present
May 12 | Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center

Historic Kootenai River Paddle
May 13 | Kootenai River, Deep Creek Boat Launch

Living History Spring Encampment
May 13| Ball Creek Ranch, Trout Creek area

Event Descriptions:
Weed Awareness Day
Each year, noxious weeds severely impact Idaho’s natural resources and economy. Weeds out compete and choke out native vegetation and rob wildlife and other animals of their native, natural food supply. Join staff from the Boundary County Weed Control Board, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fish and Game, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Natural Resources Conservation service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy for a weed awareness field day. You’ll learn to identify weed species and how an integrated weed management plan can help you manage and eradicate weeds in your backyard. Educational and reference materials will be provided along with lunch. Registration deadline is May 5.Date: Friday, May 12 | 9:00 a.m. to noonLocation: Ball Creek Ranch Cost: $5/person [includes lunch]Contact: Justin Petty at [208] 267-9629 or jpetty@tnc.org

Ball Creek Ranch
© Keith Lazelle

Presentation: From Contact to the Present
On Friday night join us for a special evening with Jack Nisbet, naturalist and author of Sources of the River. Jack will use Thompson’s writing and maps, artwork by the first painters who followed Thompson’s trade routes and wildlife photos to illuminate the landscape of the valley as it was two centuries ago and exists today. U.S. Forest Service archeologist, Tom Sandberg will use boundary survey maps and historic travel routes such as the Wild Horse Trail to demonstrate changes in the landscape. Tribal historians will provide the native context of the period of contact, and a panel discuss will focus on the changes in culture and the environment that followed and still exist today.Date: Friday, May 12 | 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Location: Kootenai Refuge, Environmental Education Center Cost: Free to the publicContact: Steve Grourke at [208] 676-8176 or sgrourke@tnc.org

Historic Kootenai River paddle
To commemorate Thompson’s travels through the Kootenai, we will follow living historians in period clothing from the Northwest Brigade of the American Mountain Men as they retrace 14 miles of this historic water route from the Boundary County boat launch, located just south of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, to Ball Creek Ranch. Jack Nisbet will join Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff to discuss the history, flora and fauna of the valley. Registration deadline is May 5.Date: Saturday, May 13 | 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Location: Kootenai River, Deep Creek Boat LaunchCost: $50/person [includes paddling equipment]Limit: 25

Contact: Steve Grourke at [208] 676-8176 or sgrourke@tnc.org

Living History Spring Encampment

In the spirit of David Thompson and the fur trade era, the Northwest Brigade of the American Mountain Men (AMM) will hold their spring encampment along the banks of the Kootenai on The Nature Conservancy’s Ball Creek Ranch. The AMM is an association of individuals dedicated to the preservation of the traditions and ways of the fur trappers and explorers we call mountain men. On Saturday, May 13, the AMM members will open up their camp and invite the public to join them for living history demonstrations. They’ll teach and share the arts and skills of the original American mountain men. Join them for a paddle down the Kootenai, learn how to start fire with flint and steel, see black powder demonstrations, hear stories of canoe and horse travel, beaver trapping and much more. Join them and see history come alive!

Date: Saturday, May 13 | 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ball Creek Ranch, Trout Creek area
Cost: Free to the public

Contact: Steve Grourke at [208] 676-8176 or sgrourke@tnc.org

Sponsors Bureau of Land Management | Idaho Humanities Council | Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge | The Nature Conservancy

Special Thanks Jack Nisbet | Bob Griffith | Tom Sandberg | Mark Weadick

Contact
Dianna Ellis, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, [208] 267-3888 or dianna_ellis@fws.gov

Steve Grourke, The Nature Conservancy [208] 676-8176 or sgrourke@tnc.org

DIRECTIONS