The Valley’s most prominent advocate for land preservation just put its money where its mouth is. The Wood River Land Trust committed $500,000 toward the purchase of Warm Springs Ranch on Monday, a move the organization says it hopes “will encourage other community members to give generously.”
To date, the campaign has raised $2.8 million. This includes a $1 million donation by a Warm Springs Preserve committee member.
For over 20 years, the Land Trust has considered Warm Springs Ranch one of the community’s treasured, undeveloped places and has been fully supportive of the City of Ketchum’s efforts to preserve the 65 acres as public open space in perpetuity.
“Our community needs areas close to town where people of all ages and abilities can experience nature and open space,” said Wood River Land Trust Executive Director Scott Boettger. “These areas are most at risk for development and equally most important to save.”
The city was offered the opportunity to purchase 65 acres of the Warm Springs Ranch property for $9 million. The terms included raising $4.5 million by Oct. 28, 2021, and the remainder by April 28, 2022. Since then, the property owner extended the first deadline to Dec. 31, 2021.
If the funds are raised to purchase the property, Warm Springs Preserve will be kept as open space in perpetuity for the community and its allowable uses will be established. Priorities for the preserve include off-leash dog access, creek and habitat restoration, new water-conscious irrigation system, walking trails, informal gatherings and activities, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, and public restrooms. Development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events would be restricted.
Currently, the property is zoned to allow significant development. However, a subdivision application and approval from the city would still be required.
For more information and to find ways to give, visit www.warmspringspreserve.org.
