What happens to a community as it faces the changes that come with growth and change? As we’ve all felt the effects of Idaho being the fastest growing state in the nation, many of us have wondered what lies ahead for our community. Will wildlife still wander down Main Street? Will recreation still be as memorable? Will this valley still be the kind of place we all love to live, work, and play in? This fall, at the Sun Valley Economic Forum, Dr. Jaap Vos gave a talk about the incredibly difficult conversation and community discussions that need to happen in the face of growth and change. This moving presentation was a highlight of the Sun Valley Economic Forum, and has prompted plenty of discussion. In a recent “Our View” opinion from the Idaho Mountain Express, we’re reminded that we’ve had to navigate these hard questions before. For Blaine County and its cities in the 1970s, adapting to change was a do-it-yourself project. Unlike nearly any other communities in the nation, they adopted zoning that kept commercial development off the highway, development off its hillsides and protected downtown vitality and livability. This is why the Sun Valley area is still …

Who comes to mind when you think about environmental activism? Do you think back to John Muir, or to present day activists like Greta Thunberg? The organization Green Latinos is working to include the Latino/a/x voice and story to the forefront. “Environmental stewardship is part of our cultural heritage. Outdoor activities like fishing, gardening, camping, and celebrating in nature bring us joy and connect us to our deeply rooted traditions. We honor and celebrate our rich culture and our crucial role in the global social fabric through our stories and spirit. We continue the work of movements that came before us, defending our autonomy, building upon our cultural assets, and celebrating our identity.” – Green Latinos The Wood River Land Trust and The Community Library are excited to bring Green Latinos’ Public Land Director, Olivia Juarez to talk with the community about Latinx leadership in conservation. A lifelong Utahn based in Salt Lake City, and through their work with Latino Outdoors, Utah Coalition of La Raza, and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Olivia has nurtured Latinx joy and leadership in conserving nuestra tierra pública. Olivia was recognized as one of “10 Under 40” in 2021 by the National Parks Conservation …