Jack Hemingway Conservation Day, October, 10, 2001

It was a gorgeous early fall day along Silver Creek in Blaine County. The sky was turning bluer every minute with only a hint of clouds in the crisp air. Leaves on the willows along the creek were turning yellow and gold, and large rainbow trout lay in the slow-moving waters, waiting for a morsel to fall. It was the kind of day that Jack Hemingway would have loved to be on Silver Creek, casting a #18 mahogany dun onto the water's surface. On that morning, October 10, 2001, at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Silver Creek West Access Site, a sign adorned with a rainbow trout was unveiled to honor and recognize the work Jack Hemingway did for fish and wildlife conservation. On hand for the dedication ceremony were employees of Fish and Game, representatives from the Nature Conservancy, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, longtime friend and sportscaster Tim Ryan, and members of the media. An ardent conservationist and youngest son of author Ernest Hemingway, Jack was the Magic Valley Region's Fish and Game Commissioner from 1971 - 1977. He was the first host of the Department's television program Incredible Idaho. Jack was a logical choice to host this show for nearly three years. His love and appreciation of Idaho, its forests, mountains, deserts and waters were conveyed to viewers on each program. In 1975 Jack was instrumental in raising the awareness of people to the unique value of the Silver Creek area, and he spearheaded efforts to purchase private property along this waterway in southern Blaine County. The property was then donated to the Nature Conservancy, which manages it today. In 1999 the Nature Conservancy honored Jack for helping preserve Silver Creek, and for his efforts to increase awareness of the need for the conservation and perpetuation of such wild and unique places. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game owns and manages two access sites along Silver Creek, downstream from the Nature Conservancy property and north of Highway 20. In recognition of the conservation efforts of this former Commissioner, Magic Valley Regional personnel recently constructed 1,000 feet of buck and rail fence at both the Silver Creek East (Point of Rocks) and Silver Creek West (Martin Bridge) access sites. This fencing will protect the fragile riparian area along Silver Creek by restricting motorized vehicle access. On October 9th Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed a proclamation officially recognizing the first Jack Hemingway Conservation Day of October 10, Jack's birthday. The Governor also announced the reestablishment of the Fish and Game's Community Challenge Grant Program. These challenge cost-share endeavors with private individuals, schools, sportsmen's clubs, conservation organizations, and public agencies will allow the Department to enter into agreements for the benefit of fish and wildlife populations and their habitat. Beginning in 2002, Jack Hemingway Conservation Day will coincide with National Hunting and Fishing Day, September 28. In observance of these occasions, the Department will conduct on-the-ground conservation projects with supporters across the state. The Department of Fish and Game will work with others to carry on Jack HemingwayÔs conservation legacy, which he so strongly advocated and supported by both words and deeds.