by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Tucked right into the southeastern section of Idaho, just a skip above Idaho Falls, sits about 6,000 acres of beautiful land known as the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Established in 1956, this location supports a diverse array of wildlife and records over 19,000 visitors each year who take tours and simply enjoy the different species, trails and waterways throughout the lake system.
Unfortunately, like most areas that support such tourism, trash buildup can become a problem as the months push forward.
So 30 volunteers from the Idaho Overland Association gathered on a recent Friday morning and participated in a cleanup with assistance from the Quadratec 50-for-50 Trail Improvement Initiative.
Together, the volunteers ended up removing about 2,000 pounds of trash from this mixed use recreational site — making a positing impact on the natural area.
“Having Quadratec’s 50 by 50 program support the Idaho Overland Association’s Market Lake Service Project was absolutely amazing,” said Alexandria Lewis from Backcountry Outfitters. “Over 20 volunteers spent the day exploring & cleaning the Wildlife Management Area with Tim Fitzgibbons from Idaho Fish & Game. This was the first time we didn’t have to ask for volunteers to help with supplies because Quadretec provided everything we needed.
”This particular project was extremely unique for us because not only did we haul so much garbage from this area, we were able to learn about the history as well as various animals and plants that typically reside here. It was truly wonderful seeing multiple organizations come together to support our volunteers and our public land.”
This Market Lake Idaho cleanup was the 24th of 50 trail and public land restoration events Quadratec will help sponsor in each state by the end of 2023.
So far through its supported projects, the 50-for-50 Stewardship Grant has accumulated 5,632.50 volunteer hours with a total value of $168,093, pulled away 95,785 pounds of trash and improved 684 miles of trail.
Quadratec’s ’50-for-50’ stewardship grant fund helps project managers pay for equipment, fees, volunteer support, food, fuel, signage and other miscellaneous costs.
Quadratec has been a supporting partner of Tread Lightly! for more than 20 years, and a longtime fundraiser for Tread Lightly!’s stewardship programs. The company has also promoted Tread Lightly! and other trail restoration efforts through its Quadratec Cares ‘Energize the Environment’ program.
Clubs and individuals are required to be active, supporting members of Tread Lightly! to be eligible to apply for ’50-for-50’ grant funding. To learn more about the Quadratec ’50-for-50 program, visit Quadratec's 50 for 50 Trails Stewardship Grant Initiative.
Recommended Reading:
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50’ Public Land Cleanup — Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50’ Blue Lakes Recreation Area — Rolling Fork, Mississippi
