Habitat Honors

Wildlife Lonnie and Patty Jones, who have a farm in Pend Oreille County, have been honored as the 1998 Washington state Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Washington Conservation Districts and the state Fish and Wildlife Department.

The Jones made way for stringing 4,200 feet of fence to limit livestock to only small portions of Skookum Creek. They also allowed the planting of 1,800 plants and trees in the riparian area.

Much of the materials was cost-shared through federal agencies. Tree-planting labor was provided by the Kalispel Tribe.

Skookum Creek is listed as an important habitat for the bull trout, which has been federally listed as a threatened species.