AHWF seeking volunteers for completing trail, gazebo
American Heritage Wildlife Foundation works for the preservation of Idaho wildlife through rehabilitation and community education. When a wild animal, such as a pine squirrel, is in need, AHWF gives the animal a place to rest and recuperate, and then, sets them back into the wild.
(Courtesy photo)
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CLARK FORK — The American Heritage Wildlife Foundation is seeking volunteers to help complete its 1,000-foot guided trail, as well as help installing a gazebo and adding mulch and handrails to the trail.
The trail will feature four different habitats said AHWF founder Kathleen St.Clair-McGee, including a “natural” yard, a grass prairie, woodlands and moist forest.
“[The trail] is mostly done,” she said. “We need to get cleaned up a little bit from winter.”
Once completed, visitors will also learn about seasonal ponds and riparian regions, she said, along with the local plants such as white pine, cedar, hemlock, mountain maple, bracken fern, wild orchids and rattlesnake plantain in a guided tour, she said.
The trial will also include information about wild animals that have been spotted in the area, including bald eagles, turkey vultures, lazuli buntings, western tanagers, solitary vireos, white-crowned sparrows, pileated woodpeckers, least flycatchers, three species of chickadee, northern alligator lizards and pacific chorus tree frogs.
Patrons will receive guidebooks with information about the local flora and fauna, St.Clair-McGee said, and have access to “education stations” to touch assorted artifacts.
“We have obtained appropriate permits required to display feathers, hides, skulls including a great blue heron,” she said. “Life-size displays have been created of moose, bear cub, eagle wingspan[s]. We also have lifelike puppet representations of northern flying squirrel and North American porcupine, and big brown bat.”
The goal, St.Clair-McGee said, is to create a safe, fun and interactive way for the public to learn and connect with the natural world around them.
Work days are scheduled for April 11 and 18, with the hopes to be open in time for Bonner County’s City Nature Challenge and Bio Blitz, taking place April 30 through May 3.
Those who wish to volunteer can contact AHWF at 208-266-1488, through their website at ahwf.org or on their social media accounts.