STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Scott Boettger will step down from the Wood River Land Trust later this year after 27 years with the conservation organization.

Amy Trujillo, who was promoted to executive director of the organization in June 2023 in anticipation of Boettger’s retirement, will take full responsibility for all aspects of management of the organization.

Boettger joined the Wood River Land Trust in 1997 as its first employee and first executive director. He was driven, he said, by seeing how precious open spaces he had enjoyed in his youth growing up in the Midwest had been developed.

During his tenure the organization was able to preserve more than 27,000 acres in land acquisitions and conservation easements with the help of donors.

The first land acquisition was that of Boxcar Bend just south of Ketchum. The most recent was 30.8 acres of property in the Colorado Gulch area. Other areas that have been protected include Howard Preserve and the Rinker Rock Creek Preserve out Croy Canyon.

“He has helped make it a better place and I know he will continue to support our efforts as he takes this next step in his life and career,” said Roland Wolfram, chair of the WRLT board of directors.

Trujillo joined the Wood River Land Trust in 2018 as its deputy director. She and her team are currently working on the restoration of Warm Springs Creek, river restoration along the Hailey Greenway at Heagle park, access and habitat improvement for the new Colorado Gulch Preserve parcel and the completion of new trails and access points at the Simons/Bauer Preserve between Lions Park and Mountain Humane.

“I want to express my appreciation to Amy and confirm the confidence the entire Board of Directors has for her leadership and our team on the ground as we pursue this next phase of growth,” said Wolfram.

#P!#One of Scott Boettger’s major focuses has been the restoration of the Big Wood River, especially along the Hailey Greenway.