Mark Menlove

November 10, 2025

Among the things I love most about working for The Nature Conservancy are our deep commitment to stewardship and our long-term vision. We don't simply complete conservation projects and move on—we cultivate enduring relationships with both people and places. This kind of meaningful conservation work often happens in quiet, intangible ways: by building partnerships with landowners and communities, carefully evaluating science and land management practices, and continuing to care for a place long after the fieldwork is done.

One such place is the Silver Creek watershed in south-central Idaho, where TNC has worked to protect freshwater streams and critical wildlife habitat for nearly 50 years. This summer, due to the incredible generosity of our donors, we had a unique opportunity to expand our care and impact in this region with the purchase of a 1,461-acre property adjacent to Silver Creek Preserve.

Located in an ecologically and culturally important landscape, the property includes sections of four tributaries to Silver Creek, providing vital freshwater connectivity and habitat for moose, bobcats, birds, native trout and the insects they depend on. This acquisition not only builds on TNC’s legacy of protecting more than 12,000 acres in the Silver Creek system—it also strengthens essential connections between public and private lands that wildlife need to migrate across large, interconnected landscapes.

This wasn’t a straightforward deal. The property’s seller was initially skeptical of working with an environmental organization. But through open dialogue, we found common ground. Like us, he didn’t want to see the land developed—and that shared vision became the foundation for a meaningful path forward. This project is a testament to the creativity, grit and trust-building of our team, who navigated complex dynamics and turned a challenging opportunity into a major conservation success.

The land itself needs care. It has been heavily used for agriculture for many decades, but we see opportunity, not limitation. Over the next several years, we’ll improve the conditions of streams and surrounding habitat, install wildlife-friendly fencing, rehabilitate sagebrush and plant native vegetation. Where appropriate, we’ll be using regenerative grazing and agricultural practices as a restoration tool to build healthy soil and clean water. These efforts weave together our core strategies: regenerative agriculture, freshwater protection, sagebrush restoration and long-term stewardship.

Once we restore the functions of the ecosystem, we’ll place a conservation easement on the property to protect its conservation values in perpetuity—ensuring the land’s improved condition, and its role in the broader ecosystem, remain healthy and thriving into the future.

None of this would be possible without our donors and supporters. Your generosity made the seemingly impossible possible. Together, we’re not just protecting Silver Creek’s unique system—we’re shaping a future where nature flourishes and communities thrive.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Your friend in conservation,

Mark Menlove