Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article erroneously reported that the land transfer was complete. Buckrail has since learned that the transfer is still underway. Buckrail regrets the error.
VICTOR, Idaho — In September, the Trust for Public Land began the transfer of a privately owned 10.2-acre parcel to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its preservation for future generations. Additional fundraising and work is needed to turn this vision into reality, with the BLM as the planned future steward of the land, according to the Trust for Public Land.
The public land, which sits along Fox Creek near Victor, would provide a northern trailhead access point to approximately 5,000 acres of neighboring BLM land. The open space is intended to link to new hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as to thousands of acres on Grand Teton National Park and national forest lands. Teton Valley Trails and Pathways, Mountain Bike the Tetons and the local community have worked with the BLM for over a decade to build new trails within this portion of Teton Valley, according to Trust for Public Land.
Steven and Theresa Scott, who owned the land for the past 35 years, donated the parcel for recreational use.
“Once we understood its potential to help unlock existing public lands and connect to the larger trails vision, we could not be happier to be donating the land toward the development of the AJ Linnell trail in Teton Valley,” Steven and Teresa Scott said in a statement.
The construction of the first phase of trails is planned to begin next summer. This new trail system will open up 20 miles for hikers and bikers.
“In close coordination with the community, the BLM and local partners, we are thrilled to protect this land to open access to miles of public trails and world-class recreation in Teton County’s backyard,” Trust for Public Land Northern Rockies Director David Weinstein said via press release. “With BLM as the future steward, we can ensure these lands will be protected and accessible for generations to come.”
This public land initiative is part of Trust for Public Land Northern Rockies Department’s Thriving Communities Program, which integrates land protection with park and trail development.
