Monday, September 21, 2009

Honoring Sustainability

Lava Lake Land and Livestock Claims Andrus Award Former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus has devoted his life of public service to finding the delicate sweet spot between a robust economy that produces good jobs and the conservation of the land, air and water that make so much of the western United States such a special place. Fifteen years ago, Andrus, fresh from his last of four terms as Idaho governor, had a major hand in helping launch Sustainable Northwest, a regional non-profit dedicated to helping nurture local collaboration aimed at sustainable economic development that fits with a conservation ethic. It is a terrific organization that has done much good work. This Thursday night in Portland, Sustainable Northwest presents its annual awards - named after Andrus - to, among others, Hailey, Idaho's Lava Lake Land and Livestock. Lava Lake produces - I'm biased, but I know my my lamb chops - the best grass-fed, organic lamb you can find anywhere. The ranch is the foothills of Idaho's Pioneer Mountains just southeast of Sun Valley. The ranch will be honored for its national leadership in sustainable agriculture and landscape scale conservation. Worthy recipients, great product, good for the economy and the environment.