BLM News Team Exclusive: A Day in the Foothills

By: Kat Davis, Sam Johnson, Sierra Tipton, Megan Grossl and Kathryn Kroenecke  

The majestic sagebrush-covered foothills surrounding Boise are as much a landmark to the city as the old state penitentiary. Beauty lies in every inch of the Boise foothills. While jogging, biking, or strolling down the trails in this area, you will see unique wildlife and beautiful vistas. From colorful flowers to great horned owls, the trails host many forms of natural beauty. Here bitterbrush flourishes and helps sustain deer during the cold winter months. If you’re lucky, you may even hear a red-winged blackbird chirping, see a great blue heron landing in the marshlands, or catch a glimpse of a western fence lizard scurrying under a rock. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages these trails as part of the Ridge to Rivers Trail System through cooperative agreement with Federal, State, and local groups. This trail system spans over 130 miles and its partners include the City of Boise, Ada County, the Bureau of Land Management, the Boise National Forest and the Idaho State Fish and Game Department. The Partnership exists under a multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding, led by the City of Boise. Local landowners and citizens have also played a large role in the development and maintenance of these trails. These members of the Boise community and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy these unique neighborhood trails. The trails include pedestrian-only trails for those who want to take a leisurely walk or jog without worrying about cyclists, non-motorized trails for cyclists and hikers; and multi-use trails for motorized vehicles. Specified "on-leash/off-leash" trails are also available for four-legged hiking companions. Idaho Youth News Team member Kat Davis was impressed with the trail system. “The scenery seems like it came straight from a postcard. I could have easily spent an entire day wandering the foothills and taking in the natural splendor. During the day, we discovered many creatures enjoying the trails. Falcons, owls, woodpeckers, and countless other birds came into view, as well as a few insects. Seeing wildlife native to the area is definitely a plus when hiking in the foothills, and makes for a memorable experience.” On a hot, windy day in August 1996, the Eighth Street wildfire spread across these foothills. The more than 15,000-acre fire threatened homes and the habitat of local wildlife. Later, as the community recovered from this devastating event, the BLM looked for a way to help educate the public about wildfire and the Foothills Learning Center was born. The Foothills Learning Center was created as a collaborative effort between BLM, the City of Boise, Ada County, and several private donors. The Center educates visitors about the natural world and helps raise awareness and appreciation for the desert environment. The Center also focuses on the importance of understanding wildfire while living in an urban fire-prone community like Boise. Boise residents, especially those located nearby the foothills, are encouraged to be firewise in protection of their homes. To be firewise means to take a proactive approach in landscaping your house to increase the chance of its survival from a wildfire. In many wildfire situations, firefighters do not have the resources to defend every home and it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to take preventative steps in protection of their home and property. Residents should keep grass and vegetation well-watered and can use rocks or gravel to separate brush and small trees. The Foothills Learning Center uses this technique. “With the Foothills Learning Center and Ridge to Rivers trail system right here in the Treasure Valley, a day of beauty, fun, and opportunity to learn is right at your fingertips,” said Idaho Youth News Team Member Kat Davis. More Information Ridge to River Trail system: http://ridgetorivers.cityofboise.org/   Be Firewise: http://www.firewise.org/   Foothills Learning Center: http://www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Parks/ParksAndFacilities/Parks/page19817.aspx