Scott Boettger was hired as the first employee of the Wood River Land Trust as its founding Executive Director in 1997. Since then, his ability to identify emerging trends and innovative solutions has put the Land Trust at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing issues in our community. Scott’s leadership has resulted in over 27,000 acres of land protected, miles of river restored, and public nature preserves open and accessible to all throughout the Wood River Valley; including the beloved Draper Wood River Preserve in Hailey, the Howard Preserve in Bellevue, and the 10,000+ acre Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, to name only a few.
Scott’s conservation ethic was inspired by his upbringing in South East Pennsylvania and the dramatic changes that occurred to that landscape in his youth. Driven by a deep appreciation for the environment and a desire to create a different outcome for his world, Scott graduated with a BS in Environmental Planning with a minor in Cartography from Slippery Rock University and started his conservation career at the Brandywine Conservancy in 1988. Scott was fortunate enough to work for that progressive NGO during times of tremendous growth and challenges, ultimately holding five positions there culminating as Senior Planner in 1996. Enticed by the trout streams, mountains, and small-town life of Idaho, Scott moved to the Wood River Valley and dedicated his efforts to protecting and preserving these places, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the joy of casting a line into pristine waters, view wildlife out our window, and live in a vibrant and sustainable community.