Exploring The Basin: The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s

Exploring The Basin: The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s

The Coeur d’Alene Basin, land of the Schitsu’umsh people or the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, has always been considered a beautiful place and a not-so hidden gem. One of the attractions of our area is the beautiful Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s. This asphalted trail covers 73 miles and is a longtime favorite of bikers everywhere. In addition to its recreational reputation and popularity, this trail has a unique history. It’s common knowledge that this area has a lot of history…

Saskatoon Serviceberry, a shrub native to North Idaho

Water Conservation Through Native Landscaping

Guest author: Kathy Hutton, Plants of the Wild The term “Native Landscaping” has been in the conversation for decades. I have been in the industry for 35 years and have seen a slow evolution into making the practice of using natives in your landscape a successful reality. When I say slow, I mean SLOW!! I have worked with different nurseries, landscapers, extension offices, etc. for the last 25 years promoting the use of native plants in landscaping and teaching homeowners…

The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (light blue shading). Photo: Lisa Waananen, Inlander.com.

Kootenai County Takes Action to Protect Ground Water

Written by David Callahan, Director of Kootenai County Development Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation, and Kootenai County is the third fastest growing county in the state. This new growth is mostly occurring over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, where the use of septic systems is common for any development located in the unincorporated county. Increased numbers of septic systems over the aquifer, if not adequately spaced, can significantly deteriorate the aquifer’s water quality. Why does this matter?…

There’s a Moose on the Loose in Downtown Coeur d’Alene

There’s a Moose on the Loose in Downtown Coeur d’Alene

This story was written by the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. Read the original article. You might be witnessing more moose than usual visiting our urbanized areas and partaking in our tasty ornamental plants and shrubs this winter. Why have we seen such an increase lately? Of all the deer species, moose are the most reliant on browsing for forage. This means that they primarily target tree and shrub species as opposed to…

We Don’t Pay for The Water We Use, We Pay for How We Use the Water

We Don’t Pay for The Water We Use, We Pay for How We Use the Water

This story was written by Craig Borrenpohl and John Beacham, City of Post Falls, in partnership with the Our Gem Collaborative. It appeared in the CDA Press on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Read the original article. Contrary to what a utility bill might imply, we don’t actually pay for the water we use in northern Idaho. We, as citizens, already own the water we use; water in Idaho is a public trust resource. We’ve all heard that wise use of water,…

Coeur d’Alene’s Water Consumption and Conservation

Coeur d’Alene’s Water Consumption and Conservation

This story was written by Terry Pickel, Director of Coeur d’Alene’s Water Department, in partnership with the Our Gem Collaborative. It appeared in the CDA Press on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. Read the original article. The City of Coeur d’Alene Water Department provides potable water to over 50,000 customers in and around the city. The public water system was originally constructed and owned by a private water company known as Idaho Water. The City acquired the public water system in 1977,…

Be a Smarter Gardener

Be a Smarter Gardener

As the weather gets warmer and the sunshine stays out longer, people in CDA start getting excited about their gardens and lawns. Rightfully so, as the flora and greenery of North Idaho is unmatched. there are some unique problems associated with lawn and garden care that we need to be aware of, especially concerning our beautiful lakes and rivers. Fertilizers are great for lawns and flower beds, but not so great for our waterways. The soluble nutrients in fertilizer, like…

Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection District Protecting Our Priceless Water Supply

This story was written by the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Read the original article. The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie (SVRP) aquifer covers about 370 square miles in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. It is composed of ice age flood deposited gravels, cobbles, and boulders and is filled with water. The SVRP aquifer is considered unconfined, meaning it has no protective layer of clay or rock above it to keep out pollutants that are…

Wise Lawn and Garden Care Protects Our Waterways

Wise Lawn and Garden Care Protects Our Waterways

As the population increases, North Idaho lakes and streams are at heightened risk of pollution. This story was written by Jim Ekins for the CDA Press on Sunday May 10, 2020. Read the original article. Homeowners can do a lot to protect and improve water quality through proper lawn and garden care and by landscaping with native or near-native plants that are acclimated to thrive without extra water and/or fertilizers. Soluble nutrients found in fertilizers, nitrogen and phosphorus are beneficial to…