KNPS to discuss PR Forest Reserve

SANDPOINT — The past, present and future of the Priest River Forest Reserve will take center stage at the next Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society program.

The program, set for Feb. 22, will take place from 9:45-11 a.m. at Sandpoint Community Hall. Speaking will be Jennifer Costich-Thompson.

The Priest River Forest Reserve, Idaho’s first federal forest reserve, was established in February 1897. What followed was the extensive evaluation and publication of the reserve’s characteristics and resources by John Leiberg in his 1899 report, “The Priest River Forest Reserve.” Jennifer’s presentation will provide both historical context and comparison of Leiberg’s work to current forest conditions. For those who have read Jack Nisbet’s book or attended his KNPS presentation, “The Dreamer and the Doctor”, this presentation will provide more details about Leiberg’s local work on the Priest River Forest Reserve.

Costich-Thompson was born and raised in rural northern Idaho and has forestry and range degrees from the University of Montana. She has worked as a forester and team leader in northern Idaho for nearly 20 years and has served as the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ north zone botanist for the last 10 years.

For information about KNPS or upcoming programs, go online to nativeplantsociety.org, or visit Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, 1123 Lake St., and online at sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation.