During Spring 2003, Bear Lake NWR pooled resources with nine other local community and National organizations to secure a $15,000 USFWS Challenge Cost Share grant. Grant funds were initially used to develop a 2,000 ft, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)accessible wildlife observation trail and to construct an accessible hunting blind on the 434 acre Rainbow Unit Sub-Impoundment. To make this work with the limited funds on hand, the refuge counted on material and equipment donations from partners as well as the expertise and commitment of our two-man maintenance crew; engineering equipment operator Ken Alexander and maintenance worker Larry Kelsey.

At the request of our partners and to accommodate growing recreational and educational needs in the Bear Lake Valley, project elements were expanded during summer 2004. The Bear Lake County Commission desired the inclusion of a canoe trail while the Bear Lake County School district wanted to see more educational opportunities for it's student base. To facilitate these requests, a supplemental grant was prepared and submitted to Columbia Basin refuge supervisor Don Voros in October, 2003. With Don's support, the proposal was granted in January 2004, providing an additional $110,000 to the depleted $15,000 CCS base.

Within the 70 acre footprint of the project, elements will now include a 5,180 ft wildlife observation trail, a 7,300 ft canoe trail, an ADA accessible hunting blind, an ADA accessible photography blind, 3 interpretive kiosks, 8 interpretive signs, 3 parking areas, and 4 strategically placed rest areas to facilitate group discussions along the trail. One of the refuge's primary supporters, the Bear Lake County School District, has additionally donated a $500 National Geographic Society grant to provide the first interpretive sign for the trail. The district has typically provided 4 outdoor classroom opportunities for it's students annually; however, one particularly industrious teacher, Marcia Wilson, has taken it upon herself to double this use in 2004, and greatly expand the districts K-12 environmental education program as trail elements take shape. Additional support grants were provided by Pacificorp ($2,000 towards construction of an interpretive kiosk), and by the Bear Lake Regional Commission ($3,000 towards public relations and outreach). Together, the local Bear Lake County community has codeveloped and designed a project, sure to enhance recreational opportunities, increase public awareness about the environment, while minimally impacting the wildlife resources the National Wildlife Refuge System is charged with protecting.

As of October 2004, construction has been completed on the canoe trail, hunting and photo blinds, parking areas, and primary trail system. With the inclusion of the supplemental grant, the project will require some final ?polishing? during the winter of 2004, with full project completion anticipated by April 2005.