Bethine Church River Trail
A section of the City of Boise's beloved Greenbelt has been
named in honor of Bethine Church. The 1.6-mile section of pathway
on the Boise River which extends from the Cottonwood Apartments off
ParkCenter Boulevard to the new East ParkCenter Bridge on the south
side of the river is located in a 24-acre natural area, which
includes valuable riparian vegetation, wildlife nesting spots and
several small irrigation canals that have been transformed into
streams inhabited by fish.
The pathway remains unpaved to create a tranquil area for
walking and running. Benches overlooking the river provide seating
for rest and reflection in a beautiful setting. The thoughtful
preservation of this section of the Greenbelt has proven to be
critical for the protection of wildlife habitat; it is truly
fitting that this pathway be named after Bethine Church in
recognition of her important efforts to conserve and protect public
lands.
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Bethine Church Bio
Church's contributions to wildlife and
conservation efforts in the state are numerous. Church founded and
chaired the Sawtooth Society, which has successfully lobbied for
funds to protect the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The society
also works to fund Forest Service projects such as trails and
infrastructure, helping to guarantee the survival of the SNRA
wilderness area for generations to come. She continues to work with
Rep. Mike Simpson for passage of CIEDRA legislation to protect the
Boulder-White Clouds wilderness.
She chairs the Frank Church Institute, which has brought
national speakers including President Gerald Ford and former Vice
Presidents Al Gore and Walter Mondale to Boise at her invitation;
under her leadership, the institute has raised a $1 million
endowment to fund the conferences, the Frank and Bethine Church
Professor, and scholarships at Boise State University.
In the fall of 2009, Church will receive the Bob Marshall Award
from the National Governing Council of the Wilderness Society. The
award is named for the founder of the Wilderness Society, of which
she is a member.