Friends of
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
and the Centennial Valley
Friends of Red Rock Lakes NWR and the Centennial Valley
What's in store for the Friends
We're just getting started but have been working closely with our Refuge Manager to help identify where the Friends can make a difference. A central theme for our initial efforts will be habitat restoration. Improving habitat has a cascading effect throughout the system. Rich stream-side habitat provides cover for songbirds, grizzly bear, moose and shade for fish. Restoring traditional stream channels can also produce healthy habitat for invertebrates, fish and help slow water flow through the valley. The latter can help recharge local aquifers.
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Photo by Steve Altshuld
Board of Directors
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Thaddeus "Tad" Sweet, President
Thaddeus “Tad” Sweet, has owned a home at Henry’s Lake, Idaho for 25 years. He has extensive experience with non-profit conservation organizations, and was founding chairman of Oregon Trout, president of Anglers Club of Portland, and helped establish Island Park Advocates for Responsible Development, and Fremont Growth Solutions. He has served as a board member of the Henrys Fork Foundation, Future West, and the Craighead Institute. A former owner of a financial services firm in Portland, Or. His mission in retirement is to work for the planet by focusing on protection and restoration of greater Yellowstone ecosystems.
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Kathleen Steven, Board Friend
When I was 7, my family starting coming to the Island Park area to spend our 2 week vacation on Henry's Lake. Most years we would drive over Red Rock Pass to the Refuge in hopes of seeing Trumpeter Swans and to enjoy the pristine beauty of the Centennial Valley. Since retiring, I am a part-time resident of Island Park and have been active in conservation in the area through the Idaho Master Naturalists program and other organizations. I'm happy for the opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to protecting and sustaining the uniqueness
of the Refuge and the Valley.
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Carroll Sweet, Board Friend
Carroll has had a home in Island Park for 25 years. A horse person, she has worked on pack trips in Idaho and Montana. She loves this part of the country and is committed to promoting responsible stewardship of the environment.
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