FSPW hires new Program
Coordinator
The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) has hired Cori Callahan to oversee the outdoor education and stewardship programs in the role of Program Coordinator. As a Sandpoint local, she will be working out of FSPW’s downtown office, although much of her time will be spent in the Scotchmans, teaching volunteers how to build trails and students how to identify animal tracks.
“With over 20 years of experience in trail building and outdoor education, we cannot wait for Cori to hit the ground running,” said Phil Hough, Executive Director of FSPW. “With such a qualified staff person working year-round, we’re excited to finally be able to reach more students and maintain more trails in the Scotchmans.”
Cori spent most of her life exploring and working in the landscapes around the West. Originally from Oregon, she has had the privilege of working for non-profit organizations such as Southwest Conservation Corps and Outward Bound in Colorado, Utah, California, and Oregon. After attending college at Lane Community College in Oregon, Cori completed a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Education at Prescott College in Arizona.
“I discovered the powerful nature of working with the land through my work with Northwest Youth Corps when I was a lost teenager,” said Cori. “Ever since finding that deep purpose, I have dedicated my life to creating and sharing similar experiences with people of all ages, developing connections and (hopefully) a sense of awe in the world around us. It is an incredible privilege to witness and partake in those ‘aha’ moments!”
Since living in Sandpoint, Cori has been reconnecting with the land, working at Moose Meadow Farm in Clark Fork. When not working with people in the woods, Cori can be found exploring by bike and boat with her dog Spatula, or cooking and practicing yoga at home. She plans to be a member of this community for the long-haul, with dreams of building a homestead and caring for the land.
“The access to water and mountains was an immense draw for my move to Sandpoint. That, and the people who live here, have inspired me to dig in roots here. My work with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will certainly create deeper connections with both the land and the people, and I am really looking forward to getting to know both better!”
Come meet Cori in Sandpoint at the Scotchman Peak IPA Fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 6 until 8 p.m. There will be live music from Tim Guidotti, a raffle, merchandise sales, and a tap takeover by Sierra Nevada Brewing. $1 from every beer sold will go towards keeping the Scotchman’s wild. But most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to ask Cori about her experiences, like her nine-week bicycle trip across India.
Submitted by Cameron Rasmusson of FSPW
Kootenai
Forest
Coalition Stakeholders provides
Forest Fair Event Recap
On Sept. 24, the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition hosted the first-ever Kootenai Forest Fair. It was a brilliant fall day on the banks of the Kootenai River, with the Cabinet Mountains gracing the background. We filled Riverfront park with booths, music, conversation, crafts, beer, and gourmet grilled cheese. Thank you to everyone reading this who attended or presented.
The event was proposed by board member Bob Casteneda this spring, as a way to serve our mission of crafting solutions for public lands management by representing diverse values and providing a venue for productive, inclusive conversations between the Forest Service and the community. We desired a setting where community members could interact freely, frankly, and positively with the Kootenai National Forest and those stakeholders who had some aspect of their work that took place on public lands.
With that in mind, our aim was to have a representative spread of recreation advocates, non-profits, agency staff, and timber businesses all in one place. The farmer’s market style setup allowed for excellent COVID-19 resilience and made sure that not only members of the public got to learn and browse, but that all the presenting partners had a chance to meet each other as well.
With 23 presenting partners and 200 community members, the event was a small success, and everyone – attendee and presenters alike – confirmed that they would like to see this event take place next year. We gathered feedback during and after the Forest Fair and have a solid understanding of what we should keep the same and what we should alter or improve for next year.
Submitted by Hannah Anderson of KFCS
Libby Chamber of Commerce announces the return of their annual Banquet
We’re excited to announce the return of our Annual Award and Fundraising Banquet. After canceling last year due to pandemic concerns, we are thrilled to bring this fun-filled evening back to our members. The Award and Fundraising Banquet will be held on Friday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Events Center in Libby.
This annual event has grown into a night of entertainment, networking, and celebration. You’d be forgiven if after attending, all you remembered was the delicious food and lively fun. But in addition to that, our annual banquet is the Chamber’s primary fundraiser. Our last banquet in Jan. 2020 raised over $28,000. As a 501(c)6 non-profit, 100% of the money we raise is put to the rewarding work of fulfilling our mission: “…to promote and support the business community, stimulate a vibrant and collaborative local economy, and enhance the quality of life in the greater Libby area.” Through our hard work and with your support, the Chamber’s value and benefits have only grown each year to our members.
Purchase tickets from a Chamber Board Member or at the Chamber Office directly. For more information, call the Chamber Office at (406) 293-4167 or email info@libbychamber.org