Cougar Bay Nature Preserve: Saving Coeur d'Alene's Natural Gem (The History Press)

Cougar Bay Nature Preserve: Saving Coeur d'Alene's Natural Gem (The History Press)

Fighting for Ecological Heritage In 1992, a Hawaiian developer proposed a subdivision on Cougar Bay's northern shore, just two miles south of Coeur d'Alene. Dedicated, tenacious locals took on the seemingly impossible goal of stopping the "Cougar Beach" development. Unlikely allies--environmental activists and a cantankerous landowner--banded together. Private and public groups stepped up. In 1997, The Nature Conservancy purchased major shoreline areas and created a nature preserve. The sanctuary remained unaltered until more private land was gifted to the Bureau of Land Management and Kootenai County. After thirteen years of heroic perseverance, the Cougar Bay Nature Preserve became a reality. Idaho Wildlife Viewing Guide calls it one of the state's best wildlife viewing sites. Theresa Shaffer chronicles the battle to preserve this oasis for locals, visitors and wildlife alike. Fighting for Ecological Heritage Theresa is a longtime supporter of land conservancy. She lives on a 160-acre original homestead with her life partner. The mostly forested land is protected from development through a conservation easement monitored by a land trust. The Cougar Bay Nature Preserve has been a favorite hiking spot and respite for years. She is a retired educator and administrator from the University of Idaho, where she received a master's degree. She has been published in various journals and publications. This is her first book.