Chamber welcomes Master Naturalists

SANDPOINT ­— The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Idaho Master Naturalists, Pend Oreille Chapter to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

The Waterlife Discovery Center in Sagle, formerly the Sandpoint Fish Hatchery is run by the Idaho Master Naturalist Program, a non-profit organization solely run by volunteers. The group aims to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to actively work toward stewardship of Idaho’s natural environment. The chapter welcomes and encourages all visitors, school groups, and families to discover Idaho’s fish, wildlife, wetlands, and forests and the importance of conserving these natural resources. The WaterLife Discovery Center is staffed four days a week during the summer for the indoor exhibits, tours and questions.

The Sandpoint Fish Hatchery was built in 1909 by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game with partial funding from Bonner County sportsmen. The idea to develop the hatchery as an outdoor aquatic education center began when discussions arose regarding selling the property back in the 1990s. Concerned citizens and community groups met with Fish and Game, and today a partnership between Fish and Game and Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation created the center.

The hatchery is located along the Pend Oreille River on Lakeshore Drive. Spring water from a neighboring property is piped underground to supply water for the hatchery and fish raceways. Due to cool water temperatures, the hatchery is primarily used as a summer redistribution facility for rainbow trout.

In addition to the 3.5-acre property with interpretive exhibits and a 6.5-acre forested wetland, there is a public visitor boat dock providing access to the center and a picnic area for day use.

Information: Idaho Master Naturalists., idahomasternaturalist.org or imn.sandpoint@gmail.com