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MISSION STATEMENT
Making a difference today for tomorrow. The ERC is dedicated to enhancing environmental and conservation awareness, enriching outdoor experiences, and promoting a more sustainable community for the current and future residents and guests of the Wood River Valley. Guiding its efforts, the ERC values community spirit, collaboration, volunteerism, leadership, stewardship, outreach, and objective integrity.
HISTORY
The Environmental Resource Center is a non-profit community environmental education organization and resource center established in 1993. The ERC staff works under the guidance of a Board of Directors and with the assistance of volunteers and seasonal interns. Increasing population and development in the Wood River Valley makes the need to address local environmental concerns more urgent today than ever before. Committed to our mission statement, "Making a Difference Today for Tomorrow," the ERC provides positive opportunities for individuals and the community to learn about and address local as well as regional and global environmental issues.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Voted "Best Citizen's Group" in the Wood River Journal newspaper Reader's Choice poll in 1994, 1995 and 1999. Hosts an annual environmental forum for the public. Topics have ranged from water rights, endangered species and transportation alternatives to growth and development. Speakers have included Timothy Wirth, United Nations Foundation President, Patti Goldman, Attorney with the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, Roderick Nash, author of "Wilderness and the American Mind," Patrick Shea, Assistant Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Marc Reisner, author of "Cadillac Desert" and local community leaders. Served as the "umbrella" organization for three start-up groups that continue to serve and grow in the community. These groups are the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, the Wood River Land Trust and the Friends of the Sun Valley Avalanche Center. Facilitated the work of local groups to inform and educate the community including the Wood River Action Plan, Mountain Goat Research Project, Environmental Building Resource Group and the Source Reduction and Recycling Initiative. Sponsored the Ketchum/Sun Valley Clean-Up Day for six years and cleaned up over 10 tons of trash! The leader in Earth Day celebrations in the Wood River Valley. Each year we have worked with other local and regional organizations to honor the Earth, the environment and the local community. Worked in cooperation with over 100 local businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups to promote environmental awareness, education and participation. Writes a weekly column about the environment in the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper. Since 1993, more than 400 articles have been published! Provides gallery space for local schools to display the artwork of children and teens. The ERC is the only local environmental education organization and resource center for the community to learn about environmental issues in a balanced, non-confrontational atmosphere.
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In a Poll conducted by the Idaho Statesman Newspaper, 42.3% of people polled felt their quality of life in Idaho is excellent. When asked the principal or most important issue facing Idaho today, 38.1% said the environment. Respondents were concerned with water resources, timber and mining, and the environment in general.
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