2025 Year in Review
- Trevor Irish
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
We have had an absolutely amazing year thanks to the steadfast support of our community.
In February, we were able to place approximately 2700 acres into permanent conservation. Over the last four years, we have been able to permanently conserve over 10,000 acres in the Bear River Watershed along with our partner Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust. Our focus on collaboration has paid off in so many ways this year, proving that even in tumultuous times, we are stronger together.

In April, over 70 community leaders, policy makers, and agency professionals gathered at our Advisory Conference. It was an honor to host so many passionate members of our community who are dedicated to conserving open space, local food and fiber, and critical habitat. We left this event feeling connected, bolstered, and inspired by the amount of community support for our mission.


In June, we partnered with the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation to host a walking tour event of Sagwitch Basin, which is protected by our Evans Ranch conservation easement. Tribal members spoke about the historical importance and significance of the Sagwitch Basin which served as a refuge for Shoshone following the Bear River Massacre. It is a deep honor and privilege to conserve this special piece of cultural heritage. (Image: Maria Moncur, a member of the NWBSN. Photo courtesy of BRLC Board Member Miriam Valere)
“Listening to the Shoshone’s stories of survival and resilience, we were encouraged to remember our connections to the ecosystems we live within and rely upon, and the importance of community in supporting the preservation and stewardship of local land and waterscapes.” - Kelly Bradbury, BRLC Board

In August, we were happy to collaborate with Stokes Nature Center and Slide Ridge Honey & Winery to host our Mendon BBQ. Their honeybees require open space and pollinator habitat to thrive, and our Mendon Meadows property and pollinator habitat sits less than a half mile from Slide Ridge. To conserve nature, we need to inspire current and future generations to care. Stokes Nature Center has long been a community staple and mainstay for nature education. At this event, we successfully demonstrated that conservation, nature education, and small local business can all coexist and thrive together in partnership.
We have accomplished so much, even despite constant shifts in federal funding - the largest source for our project funding. We are extremely lucky that federal funding for many of our potential projects is currently intact. That said, our staff are going to have to fill in gaps left by federal capacity shortages and we expect our projects will take longer to complete.
Nevertheless, with your support and the close cooperation of our amazing partners, we remain dedicated to continuing our success in protecting valuable agricultural lands and wildlife habitat in the Bear River Watershed. None of this would be possible without your continued support. Thank you!
Gabe Murray and the BRLC Board of Directors
P.S. - Despite everything, we are fortunate that we have matching federal funds committed to several thousand acres. Your contributions keep our doors open.
We have the opportunity to double the number of acres we’ve conserved so far in the next few years.
Will you contribute to Bear River Land Conservancy and leave a legacy for generations to come?