Event to focus on conservation

On Saturday in Sandpoint, the Idaho Conservation League will host the 13th annual Wild Idaho North! to highlight energy issues as they relate to the future of North Idaho.

The event, Idaho and Energy: Common Cents Conservation, will feature presentations by U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, D-Idaho, Roger Valdez of Sightline Institute, a sustainability think tank in Seattle, and staff from the Idaho Conservation League. The day will be devoted to discussion on issues of conservation, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Minnick will speak on energy issues and other topics, and Valdez will address energy efficiency and policy. Valdez is a research associate at Sightline Institute, a nonprofit research and communications center that concentrates on the Pacific Northwest.

Organizers of the event say that this year there will be a chance to learn on a more interactive basis. Attendees are invited to participate in an educational competition called the Pacific Northwest Futures Game.

The game was created by the University of Idaho and Innovative Leadership Australia, an economic development group, and explores the impact that decisions made by both public and private sectors have on the economy, environment and well-being of the community.

Participants are divided into teams and work together to address issues such as investing public funds and land use.

The challenge is to find the balance between being good stewards of the environment while also focusing on economic development.

Attendees who wish to participate in this specific event should arrive at 2 p.m.

Later in the event, there will be a happy hour with an open beer and wine bar and appetizers from area restaurants. There will also be items up for auction some of which will include a ski weekend at Schweitzer Mountain Resort and a raft trip.

All proceeds will benefit the Idaho Conservation League.