Building Access Together: Twin Peaks Ranch Stewardship Project

Building Access Together: Twin Peaks Ranch Stewardship Project

Building Access Together: Twin Peaks Ranch Stewardship Project

Salmon, Idaho — Mountain West Recreation Alliance (MWRA) x Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR)

There are moments when stewardship feels tangible—when you can see it, feel it in your hands, and watch it take shape alongside good people in a beautiful place. Our recent fence installation project at Twin Peaks Ranch in Salmon, Idaho was one of those moments.

Earlier this winter, MWRA volunteers teamed up with Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) to help install fencing at Twin Peaks Ranch, a newly acquired property that will soon open as a public recreation area. This project marked an important early step in preparing the land for long-term, sustainable public access.

 

A New Chapter for Twin Peaks Ranch

IDPR’s purchase of Twin Peaks Ranch represents a meaningful investment in Idaho’s outdoor future. The property offers sweeping views, diverse terrain, and the potential for a wide range of recreational opportunities. Before those opportunities can safely and responsibly open to the public, groundwork—quite literally—has to be done.

Fencing plays a critical role in:

  • Protecting sensitive areas

  • Defining access corridors

  • Supporting land management and safety

  • Ensuring recreation and conservation can coexist

This project was about laying that foundation the right way.

 

Boots on the Ground, Hands on the Work

Over the course of the day, MWRA volunteers of all ages worked side-by-side with IDPR staff to:

  • Stage and move materials

  • Set posts and place rails

  • Coordinate equipment and logistics

  • Adapt to winter conditions, snow, and mud

It wasn’t glamorous work—but it was honest, necessary, and deeply rewarding. Kids helped carry poles. Volunteers rotated through tasks. Conversations flowed as easily as the teamwork. By the end of the day, the fence stood as a visible reminder of what collaboration can accomplish.

Why This Work Matters

At MWRA, stewardship isn’t an abstract concept. It’s:

  • Showing up when land managers ask for help

  • Teaching the next generation by example

  • Balancing recreation access with conservation values

  • Building trust through action

Projects like Twin Peaks Ranch reflect our mission to support responsible, sustainable recreation while strengthening partnerships with agencies like IDPR. When nonprofits, volunteers, and public land managers work together, everyone benefits—especially the land.

 

 

Gratitude & Partnership

We’re incredibly grateful to Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation for inviting MWRA to be part of this project and for their continued commitment to public access and land stewardship. These partnerships are essential to keeping Idaho wild, accessible, and cared for.

To every volunteer who showed up in the cold, lifted heavy rails, wrangled kids, shared laughs, and put in the work—thank you. This fence tells a story, and your fingerprints are on it.

 

 

What’s Next

Twin Peaks Ranch is just getting started. As planning continues and the property moves closer to opening for recreation, MWRA looks forward to continuing our support—whether through future stewardship projects, education, or community involvement.

If you’re interested in volunteering, partnering, or learning more about our work, stay connected. This is how access is built—together.

— Mountain West Recreation Alliance

Protecting access. Supporting stewardship. Building community.

 

 

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